What would you do?

I’m unsure if I’ve reached the correct ‘destination’ but, I’m 73 next month and I want to buy myself a dolls house! I’ve always wanted one but was never fortunate enough to receive one. I can still hear the howls of derision and laughter from the family when I stated I was buying a dolls house so, am I ‘losing it’, as says my son or, is there anybody out there who feels the same way about an item they’ve always longed for?? Criss

Don't know how it works in your area of the country re local Facebook groups.

Where I'm from (a city) they are normal - events advertised, people asking odd queries, etc.

Where I live now - it's personality cult time and the main admin. of them feels free to try and have them as he personally wants (yep...it's nearly always a man!). If you've got a fair-minded man running it there won't be a problem in putting up a request for anyone to tell you of suitable tradesperson to do this - and you should have some replies - as people will be used to that sort of request going up.

Hardly any wonder the guy is free to do it now as nobody else would want him cutting hedges before Autum . If he was reputable he wouldn't even consider it

Cutting hedges not illegal, but disturbing nesting birds is. Book the hedge cutter for not before late August

Luckygirl3

I agree. But am under pressure from this guy. It is slightly awkward as he is the partner of a friend. Also it is almost impossible to get people to do these jobs round here. You have to grab what is offered.

I do know, we're waiting and waiting for tradesmen to come and start or even finish jobs! However, we do have a reliable man who comes to cut lawns and trim our deciduous hedge. He couldn't come until February this year as he's busy.

However, is the hedge causing you a problem? If not, I'd really recommend leaving it until late October or early November at the earliest. Surely he isn't booked up until February?

I agree. But am under pressure from this guy. It is slightly awkward as he is the partner of a friend. Also it is almost impossible to get people to do these jobs round here. You have to grab what is offered.

NO NO NO.
How can they even contemplate it in the nesting season.!

They can't be very experienced.
My hedge trimmer guy comes in the Autumn and won't do hedges any sooner.

Leave it until the autumn. The birds and other wildlife will thank you. If you go ahead with it now just for the sake of keeping an appointment, you will feel awful if nesting birds and their young are killed. And of course you will have them committed a crime and so will your hedge man who doesn't seem to be aware of the law.

whywhywhy

Luckygirl3

The problem is that he is free now and not likely to be in autumn.

What price do you put on not killing something and having peace of mind. I would wait until autumn.

He might just be saying that to make you employ him now. I would wait.

We usually have ours cut in January or February.
It's easier too, without all the foliage.

whywhywhy

Leave it until autumn.

I agree.

Anyone who offers to cut hedges at this time of year cannot be a professional, surely?

The best time is winter or very early spring before the birds start nesting and before the new growth.

It is NOT illegal to cut hedges during nesting season. It IS illegal to disturb nesting birds, damage nests, etc. If you check the hedge carefully and find no nests which are in the process of being built or are actually being used then you may cut the hedge; however, if it's a very thick hedge it might be difficult to be certain there are no nests

I understand that it is illegal to cut hedges during nesting season - we have the same situation and wait till Autumn to get them cut.

A lot of hedge/tree trimming is not recommended until bird nesting season is well over. My neighbour had to have his hedge trimmed only yesterday as dangerous when trying to exit his driveway. He couldn't see pasf the thick hedge. Doubt he will be charged with illegal act. Check the hedge for any sign of nesting and if clear get it cut.

find someone else to wait you are doing the right thing having it cut back so preditors and big bird can't steal baby birds

If it’s illegal that’s your answer and I wouldn’t trust a hedge cutter who didn’t know the law.

Wait until autumn.

I found out that trimming hedges is illegal during nesting season when a local former "pillar of the community" and with a (former) religious title got in a firm to trim his hedge.

They did NOT check for nesting birds!!!! I saw quite a few feathers on the ground on the other side of the hedge (ie the one accessible to the public) after the massacre. Though - somehow or other - the local policeman I called round to inspect those feathers and "have a word" with the culprit needed a good eyesight test - as he was apparently unable to spot them.......hmmmmm....(though this is an area where people in the wrong are sometimes deemed to be "in the right" because they are regarded as being "well-respected locals"....) and the law etc is ignored to suit them.

Luckygirl3

The problem is that he is free now and not likely to be in autumn.

What price do you put on not killing something and having peace of mind. I would wait until autumn.

I would certainly wait until Autumn. If your man isn’t available then, I would find someone else.

Definitely leave it until the Autumn. Best time to do it anyway.

Does this law apply all over the UK or just country areas as there are an awful lot of gardeners showing their recent hedge trimming examples on local social media? Sorry to hijack

Get the local farmer to do it when he does his field hedges (with the tractor). Then it will be done efficiently and at the correct time and the correct cut and you won’t be overcharged.

Oh, I thought it was illegal, full stop. Disallowed to trim hedges in Spring/Summer

It's not just a case of the season running until August, it is illegal go cut the hedge before then.

All you need is a sharp eyed constable, or a nosey neighbour, and you could be in deep trouble

Hedges should not be trimmed during the main bird breeding season, generally between March and August, to protect nesting birds and their young, as it is illegal to intentionally damage or destroy active nests under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Just because you haven't seen activity doesn't mean there isn't any, you'd be surprised what a thick hedge can hide!