Volcanic ash or social cost?By the Editorial Team (photos by Richard Hall)
The pictures on this page were taken in Swan Bottom during one of the more disruptive periods of volcanic ash-induced air pollution. For the whole of an evening and much of the night, the air was filled with dark smoke and the acrid smell even penetrated indoors.
Rumours circulated that this was caused by the Atlantic air mass being carried in from the northwest and volcanic ash pollution being deposited once it hit the higher ground of the Chilterns. Could the impact of the Icelandic volcano really be felt to this extent in The Lee?
Well, it turns out that the answer is no; the source of this pollution was
much closer to home, in fact within the parish boundaries.One of the effects of increasing land-fill costs and vigilance on fly-tipping is that commercial businesses are now more inclined to favour disposing of waste material on-site rather than taking it away. Not so bad when it’s a few tree branches or a dilapidated wooden bench, but the impact is a bit different (as we can see) when the waste being burnt contains all manner of ‘other material’.
So… spare a thought for your neighbours when you next have to weigh-up the financial costs of your bonfire against the social and environmental ones.
Chiltern District Council publishes a useful guide on this subject. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 allows the Local Authority to take offenders to court should their bonfires cause a nuisance to neighbours (i.e. have an unreasonable effect on their enjoyment of their home or garden). Should you decide, though, to have a bonfire, kindly note these recommendations:-
• DO NOT burn damp grass clippings or ‘green’ material as this creates thick smoke.
• DO NOT burn any oily rags, rubber, plastics, damp garden waste or other materials which would inevitably create heavy smoke or toxic fumes.
• DO NOT light a bonfire when your neighbours have washing drying, or are out enjoying their gardens or have windows wide open.
• DO NOT light bonfires one hour before dusk, or leave them burning overnight. Choose the time of day and weather conditions that will cause the least inconvenience to neighbours.
• DO NOT leave your fire to smoulder for long periods. Never leave a fire unattended. Hose it down until cold before you leave it.
• DO advise your nearest neighbours before you light a bonfire so they can be prepared for any minor inconvenience that may arise.
• DO burn material quickly in small quantities so the minimum amount of smoke is created. An incinerator makes this much easier.
• DO choose your bonfire site carefully, well away from trees, fences and windows.
Beware of attempting bonfires on very windy days as it can so easily get out of control. Have a hose-pipe and buckets of water handy just in case.