Drama, drama, drama.

Shantara

Shantara

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Milton Keynes
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Please tell me I'm not over reacting?

YO has always had a feud with her neighbour, but since she left it's become much worse. Please don't ask me what the problem is, I have no clue!

Years ago, we had a lovely grass verge to ride on, because of a nasty blind bend. However, to connect the 3 houses (including the yard) which are situated away from the main village, they built a path over the verge. At the time, we were told that we were able to use the path to ride on, as they realised they took away our safe verge.

Apparently, the police received an "anonymous call" saying that we are riding on the path and ruining it. We knew who it was, but didn't make a big deal out of it. We never go on the path outside the neighbours house, only stepping foot on the path when we are quite far past it.

Anyway, the police said we could go on the path on the blind corner, but must get off before and after, which is fair.

Yesterday the trouble really began.

I ride out with a few young children (8-13yrs...bare in mind I am not in charge on these rides, I just join in!)
As we were riding along the road (we were already past the neighbours house) a pony stepped onto the path, but was quickly brought off the path by the child riding her. I happened to look back to check no one else was on the path and I saw the neighbour with his camera, taking pictures!!! I was furious!!

Anyway, when I got back, I told YM what had happened and she was fuming. Her 8yr old child was on that ride and she doesn't want some man taking photos. She went round to confront him, but his wife answered the door. She explained what happened and politely asked if he could refrain from taking pictures of the children, as the parents feel very uncomfortable with someone they don't know taking photos.
The wife responded they shouldn't be on the path. YM said she understood, but it was an accident that will not happen again. The wife said again that they do not want horses on the path. YM asked if she would rather have children on a blind bend, potentially putting their lives at risk, when there is a perfectly suitable path to ride along. Her response? "I'm just trying to be lawful". YM repeated "So you'd be happy for children to die?"..."I'm just being lawful"
The icing on the cake? A rider from a different yard stepped onto the path outside the neighbours property and the wife, nor the husband said anything!!

Today he was out taking more photos. YM said she's not having it and will be taking it further. It's a personal vendetta and it's totally unfair. I would understand if we were on his land, but he does not own the path and we do not ruin it, apart from the house further up the road and some of the people who ride, I don't really see it used.
Very frustrated!!
 
Keep doing what the police told you to do and ignore the fool with his camera! Say good morning/good afternoon whatever, smile pleasantly and do as you please. It is not up to random people to tell you what to do, if the landowner doesn't have a problem, then it is none of the neighbours business.
 
If he doesn't own the path, then keep doing what you are doing. Let him continue to take photos, and continue to update the police, as when they investigate, they will have a whole load of 'evidence' of photographing minors. Whatever you do, don't get involved personally, and remain calm and polite if/when you see him. That alone will annoy him as he is not winning!
 
get them done for harrasment as that is what it is! we did it with a neighbour who used to hang out of the window taking photos of us and then put up a security camera facing directly at our front door and didnt even look into their garden! contacted the police and council... the camera was removed and i havent seen her out with her camera since... i was thinking of getting one of my air rifles out to shoot it out if it didnt move but i think i would have got in a bit of trouble for that :o
 
How petty of this person. However I'd be upset as a parent that a strange man was taking photos of children.

I'd contact the local police again -explain that although you are complying with their recommendation you are concerned about someone taking pictures of children - ask them to have a word or send a warning to the householder.
 
Fools Motto said:
If he doesn't own the path, then keep doing what you are doing. Let him continue to take photos, and continue to update the police, as when they investigate, they will have a whole load of 'evidence' of photographing minors. Whatever you do, don't get involved personally, and remain calm and polite if/when you see him. That alone will annoy him as he is not winning!
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Yes, this is what I am doing ^^ I'm not a confrontational person. YM is, but she's opting to stay in the background and let the law do it's job, especially after her little word with the wife.
We're hoping the evidence of the pictures of the kids are going to help our side.

Here is a map of the area, the house further is up the road is a relative of the farmer and doesn't care if we ride outside their house.
You can see how far away from his house we were when he took the photos. The bend doesn't look bad, but believe me, when you're actually there it's awful. YO was very very nearly hit when she was driving her pony along that road. It's meant to be a 40 zone, but not many people actually go 40.

Map_zps3b3f85cd.jpg
 
Nah said:
Years ago, we had a lovely grass verge to ride on, because of a nasty blind bend. However, to connect the 3 houses (including the yard) which are situated away from the main village, they built a path over the verge. At the time, we were told that we were able to use the path to ride on, as they realised they took away our safe verge.
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Who is They? Council? Developer? You see, if they offered the path as an alternative they have created the easement the right to cross and re-cross the path. This should be enshrined somewhere - worth checking out? If thats so then carry on as you were and just ignore him. NIMBY.
 
PeterNatt said:
Grass verges are part of the public highway and you are allowed to ride on them unless there is a specific bylaw stating that you can not do so.
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Really? That's very interesting. I will quote that at irritating woman who barks at you if horse sets foot on grass verge outside her house (to let a car go by) but I have often seen her huge Porsche Cayenne horrid car parked on that grass - which does not belong to her.
 
katherinef said:
Who is They? Council? Developer? You see, if they offered the path as an alternative they have created the easement the right to cross and re-cross the path. This should be enshrined somewhere - worth checking out? If thats so then carry on as you were and just ignore him. NIMBY.
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Umm, as far as I know it was the council, but I wouldn't like to say 100%. We have been riding on that path for 5+ years with not much issue :( it's like now YO is gone he's not scared to be an ass anymore.
 
I don't really see the issue with neighbour taking photos either unless children are half clothed or something..just ignore him and he'll get bored. I would also get written clarification re: the path (what type of path btw?) and post it to neighbour then ignore him from then!
 
then I would honestly approach the council and speak to them about the hassle you're having. Their Highways Team may also help with other safety measures such as mirrors on the bends and so on if not provided. I'm no expert but I think this is whats known as a permissive path and so the landowner/ council needs to mark it as such

taking a direct quote "A permissive path, permitted path, permitted bridleway or concessionary path is not a public right of way. It is a path clearly signed as a permissive that a landowner allows the public to use. This may be for walkers, riders, cyclists, or any combination. However there is no statutory right of access. A white arrow, with or without additional identification is the recognised method adopted by statutory agencies for identifying such paths. However, land owner local agreements may simply have a printed notice e.g. yellow print on a blue back ground"

It would be worth doing just to get this eejit off your back and focus his small mindedness elsewhere.
 
katherinef said:
then I would honestly approach the council and speak to them about the hassle you're having. Their Highways Team may also help with other safety measures such as mirrors on the bends and so on if not provided. I'm no expert but I think this is whats known as a permissive path and so the landowner/ council needs to mark it as such

taking a direct quote "A permissive path, permitted path, permitted bridleway or concessionary path is not a public right of way. It is a path clearly signed as a permissive that a landowner allows the public to use. This may be for walkers, riders, cyclists, or any combination. However there is no statutory right of access. A white arrow, with or without additional identification is the recognised method adopted by statutory agencies for identifying such paths. However, land owner local agreements may simply have a printed notice e.g. yellow print on a blue back ground"

It would be worth doing just to get this eejit off your back and focus his small mindedness elsewhere.
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Thank you :) will pass that onto YM, she's much better at dealing with these things that I am! I get all flustered when trying to explain such matters on the phone/in person.
 
Are you joking susieT? He's harassing children by taking photos of them! How as an adult does that NOT concern you!?
 
Elsiecat said:
Are you joking susieT? He's harassing children by taking photos of them! How as an adult does that NOT concern you!?
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Quite, and I don't want photos taken of me either! Most of the kids think it's pathetic and laugh it off, but there were one or two who asked me "What is that man doing?!!? Why does he have a camera?!" and sounded very distressed.
 
I wonder what he is planning to do with those pictures. If he is really stupid he might go to the press with them or put them on a website somewhere. Its really nasty and petty. does he not think his attitude could lead to someone having a very bad accident? Even worse when kids are involved.
 
Wave, smile and call out good morning, it will make someone who is trying to be nasty very very uncomfortable and if you keep it up they will probably start avoiding you.... Problem solved.
 
katherinef said:
I wonder what he is planning to do with those pictures. If he is really stupid he might go to the press with them or put them on a website somewhere. Its really nasty and petty. does he not think his attitude could lead to someone having a very bad accident? Even worse when kids are involved.
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I wonder as well, I'm 99.99% sure he isn't taking them to be a pervert (but I think that's the angle YM wants to play if things get bad) but still, it's not wise at all!
 
I work in highways, & have worked for highways in a Council. Verges are part of the public highway, you are allowed to ride on them. Because someone owns a house, they have no right over the highway outside the house. Cars are not meant to park on the verge such that they reduce the width of the footway (note not footpath unless it is a legal public right of way) to that required for wheelchair access. If you think about this how many times do people park their precious vehicles such that people, especially buggies, prams & wheelchairs are forced onto the road?

So lady with porshe has no right over the piece of grass in front of her house unless it is a private road & in her deeds. If she chooses to mow it, her choice, but it doesn't make it legally hers to decide who may pass over it.


I would be very concerned with someone taking photos of minor. At events I go to in a sports hall, the organisers have to ask the audience if anyone has an issue with photos being taken (including by the official photographer) before things start. If any one person does have problem, no-one may photograph their child. It is that simple. You have told him verbally you have an issue with it, I would tell him in a recorded delivary letter he is not (don't request, tell) to photo any minor from your yard in any circumstance. Also tell the police that he has done this, you have told him (verbally & literally) not to do so again, & give them a copy of the letter. If he does so again, just report it to the police. Have you done a background search on him? Has the YO chacked the s*x offenders register? Doubt it (not something public generally do), he may be anyone. Taking pictures of children by strangers is not acceptable without permission.

With regard to the bend/footway. Ignore him, just keep on as you are. Not like your setting out to upset him. You are trying to make it work. If he can't accept that horses are not machines & on the odd occasion one may step on the footway, let him go to the police. As previously stated, they will soon get fed up of him wasting their time over this pettiness. Sounds like they have things in perspective. If you have a footway constructed to standard design (which is very very likely), horses are not going to damage it.
 
Your YM can book a visit to the solicitor for a small fee and discuss the issue and see what they say, its about a half an hour consultation but charged at a miuch lesser rate than normal. Apart from that carry on doing what the police have advised, and it might be worth a word with them to say what this horrid little man is doing with his camera and see what they say. It really is not nice when somethoing so small can get so out of hand, good luck with it and hope you get it sorted soon,
 
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