I may be insane

snow hope · Post by **snow hope** » 18 Mar 2011, 16:15

I don't know about squatting, but we have lots and lots of empty properties in Belfast suberbs - even in upmarket areas like Malone......

Andy Hunt · Post by **Andy Hunt** » 18 Mar 2011, 16:37

mangomaz wrote:Hello Andy!!

Just reading through the thread, and there is a fair amount of talk about the risk of squatters etc... is this a very real threat, even in normal times? It is not something I really considered before.

Hey up Maz, nice to see you over here on the Dark Side!! Lol

I don't think I'm going to have any problem with squatters, the part of the UK where the woodland is located is very sparsely populated. I also have support from my neighbouring woodland owners - it makes sense to watch out for each other, and even when I am not there, other people will be in the adjoining woods, and can be on the lookout for anything suspicious.

Besides, once I've finished digging pits with spikey stakes at the bottom and stuff, nobody will want to try!

Ludwig · Post by **Ludwig** » 18 Mar 2011, 16:44

snow hope wrote:I don't know about squatting, but we have lots and lots of empty properties in Belfast suberbs - even in upmarket areas like Malone......

I met an Englishman living in Ireland a few months back, the son of family friends. When asked if he ever thought of returning to the UK, he said no, because he thought it would be mayhem there once the crisis struck (he didn't mention Peak Oil, but he was a hippy type and I'm pretty sure this is what he was referring to). "Mind you," he continued, "All the British will just come over here anyway." I think he might be right, though such a scenario might stretch that Irish hospitality.

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 18 Mar 2011, 17:41

In this rapidly changing world, the possibility of Ireland being re-colonised is not far-fetched. The idea of an authoritarian government taking over this entire island again is imaginable.

The number of Brits already here is quite amazing and, when I hear the dreaded

accents, wonder what on earth keeps these people here.

Then I think of trips back to Blighty and realise why.

vtsnowedin · Post by **vtsnowedin** » 19 Mar 2011, 07:25

If your going to recolonise somewhere shouldn't you start with some place where a profit could be made? Perhaps a bit of ground with oil under it and not too many religious fanatics hanging about.

Aurora · Post by **Aurora** » 19 Mar 2011, 07:31

vtsnowedin wrote: If your going to recolonise somewhere shouldn't you start with some place where a profit could be made? Perhaps a bit of ground with oil under it and not too many religious fanatics hanging about.

[pedant] you're [/pedant]

stumuzz · Post by **stumuzz** » 19 Mar 2011, 09:38

Quick synopsis of the Celtic mouse.

One day someone gave the Irish republic citizens a credit card with an unlimited credit limit.

They all felt good and important whilst spending the Chinese and Indians savings.

Then one day the Chinese and Indians realised that the Irish had borrowed massively and had not done anything productive with it.

The credit dried up and the economy fell off a credit built mountain.

Food queues formed and migration reared its ugly head.

The end.

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 19 Mar 2011, 21:10

That just about sums it up. We do have some off-shore resources - not much but it would ease our transition, if that's what they were used for.

Instead, the rights to these resources have been sold for nothing and the actual resources promised/sold without any benefit to the island.

In fact, in one case (Rossport) they're probably a loss-maker for us as so much has been squandered in security, jail sentences, inquiries, lost time etc and Shell can write off practically everything, right down to the boss's shoe shine, against the pitiful levels of tax.

And what do we do? Install a righter-wing government.

vtsnowedin · Post by **vtsnowedin** » 20 Mar 2011, 11:54

Aurora wrote:
vtsnowedin wrote: If your going to recolonise somewhere shouldn't you start with some place where a profit could be made? Perhaps a bit of ground with oil under it and not too many religious fanatics hanging about.
[pedant] you're [/pedant]

Aww Jeez another grammar Nazi!!

Andy Hunt · Post by **Andy Hunt** » 20 Mar 2011, 12:01

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... r-all.html

Last Updated: 4:55PM GMT 19/03/2011
Housing minister Grant Shapps has told how the Government is to turn squatting into a criminal offence following a campaign led by the Sunday Telegraph.

Like Sunday Telegraph readers I want to shut the door to squatters once and for all.

Cases brought to light in the first two weeks of this paper's campaign have served to highlight the distress and misery they cause, and the damage and destruction they can often leave behind.

For too long it has been the squatters, not the law-abiding homeowners, who seem to have had the upper hand.

Since 1976, the Advisory Service for Squatters has been publishing the Squatter's Handbook, a shameful how-to guide for wannabe squatters.

It is particularly galling that squatters in this country even have help and advice available at just the click of a mouse through dedicated websites, such as the one run by the Advisory Service for Squatters.

Advice includes lying to the police if caught with tools for breaking into a property; changing the locks after entering and, if the squatter needs to leave the property, keeping a radio on to ensure people think it is still being occupied.

This Government is acutely aware of the misery squatters can cause, and the anger at the perception of 'squatters' rights' and that these people who invade properties can do so and go virtually unpunished.

And while homeowners face the greatest upset and upheaval from the blight of squatters in their properties, their neighbours can often be the victims too.

A previously quiet and peaceful neighbourhood can be ruined by squatters making excessive noise, fly tipping and committing other anti-social behaviour

That is why we are working to strengthen the law to make it a criminal offence, and Ken Clarke will be bringing new laws forward in the New Year – no one should face an uphill battle just to get back into their own homes.

But in the meantime our aim is simple: to make sure homeowners know their rights.

Tomorrow I'll be offering strengthened advice through a new downloadable booklet, offering reassurance to homeowners that squatters are not above the law – and that there are steps they can take if a squatter invades their home.

It makes clear that it is an offence for a squatter to fail to leave having been required to do so by the residential occupier. It also makes clear that if a squatter causes damage either entering or while in the property, they can be reported to the police for possible criminal damage and if they use water, gas or electricity and fails to pay the bill, that too could be a criminal offence.

The guidance also clarifies the 'legal warning' squatters often post on the front door, declaring it would be an offence for anybody to use or threaten violence to enter the property against the will of those inside. This distorts what section 6 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 actually says.

Let me be clear: squatters are not above the law.

I can assure homeowners that we understand the strength of public feeling about this issue and that's why we are urgently taking steps to lock the door to so-called "squatters' rights" once and for all.

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 21 Mar 2011, 09:19

vtsnowedin wrote:
Aurora wrote:
vtsnowedin wrote: If your going to recolonise somewhere shouldn't you start with some place where a profit could be made? Perhaps a bit of ground with oil under it and not too many religious fanatics hanging about.
[pedant] you're [/pedant]
Aww Jeez another grammar Nazi!!

Please accept that you're on a British website where many posters care about English and its use; any changes to a language must be 'agreed' by all users otherwise there's a possibility of being misunderstood.

Genuine random errors are forgivable; constant mis-use of English - especially where the new version is not an improvement - will, quite naturally, be frowned upon.

Post by **mikepepler** » 21 Mar 2011, 18:45

So Andy, did you buy the wood in the end? I'm not clear if you did yet?

Andy Hunt · Post by **Andy Hunt** » 21 Mar 2011, 23:35

mikepepler wrote:So Andy, did you buy the wood in the end? I'm not clear if you did yet?

Yes I did, not completed yet though. In fact I was there the other day, talking to a guy called Rob Starbuck who I think you and Tracey know? He was quite intrigued as to how I knew you. Small world!

Post by **mikepepler** » 22 Mar 2011, 08:25

Andy Hunt wrote:
mikepepler wrote:So Andy, did you buy the wood in the end? I'm not clear if you did yet?
Yes I did, not completed yet though. In fact I was there the other day, talking to a guy called Rob Starbuck who I think you and Tracey know? He was quite intrigued as to how I knew you. Small world!

Ah yes, Tracy does know him through her work running SWOG. Are you buying from him?

I guess you'll be joining SWOG if you've not already? There's a guy on there who's also based in North Wales who does lots of training courses: http://www.woodlandskillscentre.co.uk/ My Dad's been on a coppicing with hand tools course, and also made a shave horse for green woodwork with him, and found it very good.

the_lyniezian · Post by **the_lyniezian** » 23 Mar 2011, 15:57

emordnilap wrote:
vtsnowedin wrote:
Aurora wrote: [pedant] you're [/pedant]
Aww Jeez another grammar Nazi!!
Please accept that you're on a British website where many posters care about English and its use; any changes to a language must be 'agreed' by all users otherwise there's a possibility of being misunderstood.

Genuine random errors are forgivable; constant mis-use of English - especially where the new version is not an improvement - will, quite naturally, be frowned upon.

It's not exactly like using "your" instead of "you're" is a particularly American mistake, or that it's acceptable over there any more than it is this side of the Pond...