Neighbors Left Fuming
An elderly man in Berkshire, Keith Haines, took drastic action when his neighbors "couldn't be bothered" to trim their hedge. Frustrated with the overgrown hedge obstructing the footpath, Haines decided to take matters into his own hands and hacked away at the unruly vegetation. Although he received praise from some locals, others were left annoyed and described the hedge as "an absolute mess."
Proud of His Work
Haines was so pleased with his handiwork that he even wrote to the local paper to thank himself for his efforts. In his letter, Haines expressed his gratitude to himself for bringing the footpath back to its original width. He stated that he had informed the council of his intentions, but they did not stop him, so he went ahead with the hedge trimming.
Divided Opinions
While some residents were grateful for Haines' actions, others were not as pleased. Mandy Allen, a local resident, described the hedge as "an absolute mess" and expressed her surprise at seeing the original fence for the first time in 23 years. Fran Robins, another resident, voiced concerns about the loss of greenery and privacy resulting from the hedge being hacked to pieces.
Blind Woman Expresses Gratitude
Despite the mixed reactions, one blind resident praised Haines for his efforts. She explained that as a blind person, she often faced obstacles such as overhanging branches and shrubs while walking her guide dog. She commended Haines for his daily volunteer work, which included clearing blocked drains, picking up litter, and maintaining footpaths.
Legal Considerations
According to BLB Solicitors, intentionally damaging another person's property, including a hedge, without lawful excuse is a criminal offense. While it is permissible to prune branches that protrude into your garden and cause a nuisance, it is important not to go beyond the boundary. The West Berkshire Council clarified that the hedges in question are on private property and are not their responsibility to maintain.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://hellofaread.com/money/how-to-get-your-hands-on-john-lewis-christmas-advert-merchandise/
