The land is dry, and the people are ...stupid?

We had a nearly catastrophic accident on the other side of my. City this weekend. Neighbours say a family of illegal immigrants (I can’t confirm this) recently moved into a house, they didn’t appear to cook using the cooker inside the house and built a fire pit in the garden and were using that. Complaints by neighbours were not understood or ignored as family did not speak English and complaints to local councillor fell on deaf ears.
The fire got out of control on Saturday and spread to all the gardens along the terrace, fortunately the fire brigade stopped it reaching the houses.
Last night a near riot happened in the street with dozens of people congregating to protest about this family, I understand it turned quite nasty. I have seen pictures of ambulances aswell as police cars.
I will be so glad when we get lots of rain!

Oreo

Whoa!
We do have a right to a barbecue on our own property and take precautions that all will be safe.
It’s wild camping or barbecues in the park that are the danger and those arsonists who regularly set fire to things for the hell of it every year.

Yes of course you have the right to have a barbecue. But given the current situation, surely you wouldn't think about actually doing it? Just do the cooking in the kitchen and sit on the patio to eat it. You can still have an outdoor party.

There will always be those who want to exercise their freedom from collective responsibility.

Dickens

Oreo

Whoa!
We do have a right to a barbecue on our own property and take precautions that all will be safe.
It’s wild camping or barbecues in the park that are the danger and those arsonists who regularly set fire to things for the hell of it every year.

Look Oreo - I'm not suggesting that you or yours are irresponsible and don't know how to safely BBQ, but if the Fire Brigades are asking that people just please - don't... do you really feel hard-done by? They have to make a blanket appeal for obvious reasons.

Hear, hear.
These fires are not just on open heathland or in deep forests.
Look at Stourbridge at the weekend, sparks can easily be blown to other gardens with trees or bushes.
Just dont is the only sensible thing.

BlueBelle

I m being black and white over this I believe the state we are in, countrywide, there should be NO bbqs at all, full stop, of course we can live happily without them, they are far from a necessity and can be a danger however careful you think you are.

There is a total ban on the sale of disposable BBQ’s.

There is a ban on BBQ’s in parks, and fields etc., our council banned all open fire in its parks etc., at the beginning of July.

There is not a ban on BBQ’ing in one’s garden.

They are making a blanket appeal as you say, but those of us who know they can be done completely safely will make our own minds up.

I have a yard not a garden and can safely barbecue at any time, but even with a garden if you grill on the patio it can be done safely.
In all the years we have barbecued and all the many we have attended there have been zero issues.

I m being black and white over this I believe the state we are in, countrywide, there should be NO bbqs at all, full stop, of course we can live happily without them, they are far from a necessity and can be a danger however careful you think you are.

Oreo

Whoa!
We do have a right to a barbecue on our own property and take precautions that all will be safe.
It’s wild camping or barbecues in the park that are the danger and those arsonists who regularly set fire to things for the hell of it every year.

Look Oreo - I'm not suggesting that you or yours are irresponsible and don't know how to safely BBQ, but if the Fire Brigades are asking that people just please - don't... do you really feel hard-done by? They have to make a blanket appeal for obvious reasons.

Its exactly the same as when covid hit us people were told not to travel. What did they do exactly that travelled to beauty spots and coastlines. Left their rubbish and used anywhere to go the toilet as they were all closed.
Now it's repeated behaviour from selfish ignorant people who only care about themselves and what they want. Without a care in the world for anyone else.

I have never been to a BBQ in my life. Its not something that attracts me.

GrannyGravy13

BBQ’s in gardens are safe as long as they are not against a fence or close to shrubbery.

I am amazed at all of the bad BBQ food that posters have experienced. As for juggling most people have outside tables and chairs nowadays.

We use our gas BBQ whenever we can, as do our AC is theirs, never have I had a charred sausage or undercooked chicken leg I have had succulent fish, prawns, lobster, kebabs, homemade burgers and all sorts of vegetables…

Yum😋

Whoa!
We do have a right to a barbecue on our own property and take precautions that all will be safe.
It’s wild camping or barbecues in the park that are the danger and those arsonists who regularly set fire to things for the hell of it every year.

fancyflowers

And about barbecues, I was also shocked by the responses from people demanding their 'right' to have barbecues on their own property.

... yes, it's typical of the "It's-My-Right" groupies who migrate towards each other to share their victimhood status inflicted on them by the "nanny-state".

Some of them might also be those that joined in the secret illegal raves and underground parties in remote outdoor locations and vacant spaces during the Covid-19 Lockdown when clubs, pubs, and music venues were shut down to stop the virus from spreading. And not infrequently left all their debris scattered around for members of the 'nanny-state' to clear up after they'd left.

Because it's all about them isn't it.

I have nothing but utter contempt for such individuals.

M0nica

Many people use disposal barbecues in their gardens. Not all are used in al fresco circumstances.

No, I am not doing any special pleading. Just pointing out that not every disposal barbecue is used in a way that could damage the countryside.

Well said. I'm not whinging or complaining but when we go on a cottage holiday with our adult children and grandchildren, my son prefers to use disposable BBQs placed on the rack of the standard outdoor one usually provided. They often aren't as clean as one would like, and it saves hours of scrubbing the grill before cooking your own food. This year we won't have our traditional BBQ night, but we'll survive and I fully support this temporary ban.

Deedaa

My daughter and her family have just come back from San Francisco. We were talking about drought restrictions and she said the sale of fireworks is completely banned over there and everyone has survived.

... bet you were pleased to welcome her back!

My daughter and her family have just come back from San Francisco. We were talking about drought restrictions and she said the sale of fireworks is completely banned over there and everyone has survived.

StoneofDestiny

Supervised BBQ's sat on solid patios away from flammable objects like dried grass are not a problem. Disposable BBQ's on open fields are. These often re-ignite as they are left unattended.
Just recently some fools set of lanterns at a funeral, landing in open fields and gardens. These things should be banned outright, drought or no drought.

What is wrong with doing something constructive like planting bulbs or a tree? If they need to see something 'soar', maybe just blow bubbles!

I wonder why then, the Fire and Rescue Service are asking people not to have barbecues?

Perhaps you know something they don't.

Supervised BBQ's sat on solid patios away from flammable objects like dried grass are not a problem. Disposable BBQ's on open fields are. These often re-ignite as they are left unattended.
Just recently some fools set of lanterns at a funeral, landing in open fields and gardens. These things should be banned outright, drought or no drought.

What is wrong with doing something constructive like planting bulbs or a tree? If they need to see something 'soar', maybe just blow bubbles!

Funny, I was just thinking the other day that bbq's weren't a thing when we were children. I seem to remember going to my first ever bbq sometime in mid 70's.

Not having any open flames during a drought is a common sense restriction, especially in public parks and wild areas. There are many ways to cook a meal without overheating a kitchen, especially air fryers.

And about barbecues, I was also shocked by the responses from people demanding their 'right' to have barbecues on their own property.

Nothing to do with barbecues, but I read a Mumsnet thread recently about the care of an elderly parent. I was shocked by the number of responses telling the poster to 'maintain her boundaries' and to 'live her own life.' This didn't really happen when I was young., or is it just me?

Many people use disposal barbecues in their gardens. Not all are used in al fresco circumstances.

No, I am not doing any special pleading. Just pointing out that not every disposal barbecue is used in a way that could damage the countryside.

Our former neighbours used to barbeque most weekends weather permitting but he started it with paraffin and the smell was disgusting.
Thankfully the new neighbours don't. I live near some woods so I'm glad about that.

I absolutly hate BBQ's. No matter how good people say the food is. Its purely personal choice.
It's idiots who start them in this weather and do not take care who cause the bother. People are told not to use disposable BBQ's yet they still do it .
I really cannot see the attraction to a BBQ sausage or burger or anything else for that matter. A couple of years ago a neibour had one and the smell and smoke was revolting. I had to re wash the clothes I was line drying.
Unless people are very responsible I cannot see why they would want that type of food in this weather.