The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: Roxy on July 01, 2013, 04:39:47 pm

Title: Chinese Lanterns.
Post by: Roxy on July 01, 2013, 04:39:47 pm
I hate the things - keep picking them up from our fields, so scared one of the animals will eat them, or some wild life get stuck in them. I have heard of them landing amongst crop fields, and setting them alight. Well it seems like the lanterns have caused a big fire now
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-23123549 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-23123549)
 
Title: Re: Chinese Lanterns.
Post by: Alistair on July 01, 2013, 04:47:25 pm
Can't agree more
Title: Re: Chinese Lanterns.
Post by: plumseverywhere on July 01, 2013, 05:06:54 pm
I've had a huge rant about these things today on my FB page. I hate them with a passion - this is one reason why -

https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.coventrytelegraph.net%2Fnews%2Fcoventry-news%2Fchinese-lantern-killed-goat-says-3051165&h=0AQGdPHC- (https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.coventrytelegraph.net%2Fnews%2Fcoventry-news%2Fchinese-lantern-killed-goat-says-3051165&h=0AQGdPHC-)

the goat kid in the story belonged to my friend Fay Ogden (quite well known in Togg circles so would imagine a few of us on the goat boards know her).   Every 1st Jan and 6th Nov I'm stalking our fields looking for remnents of these death traps.  My husband drove past the fire in the story today, said the smoke clouds are huge and quite dramatic. I hope all trying to douse it get out safely. 
Title: Re: Chinese Lanterns.
Post by: Wee Eck on July 01, 2013, 05:18:52 pm
Hi  :wave:

I don't know why they are allowd either, there is no control over how far they are going to fly or where they are going to land. What is it going to take to get these things banned ? someone to die ? You are not allowed to randomly build bonfires so why should you be allowed to start a fire which you have no idea where it will end up ?

               Eck :rant:
Title: Re: Chinese Lanterns.
Post by: Lesley Silvester on July 01, 2013, 08:09:23 pm
My husband drove past the fire in the story today, said the smoke clouds are huge and quite dramatic. I hope all trying to douse it get out safely. 

We were driving up the M6 this afternoon and saw the thick, black smoke from it.
Title: Re: Chinese Lanterns.
Post by: MAK on July 01, 2013, 08:40:40 pm
mmm - Hundreds were let off here, one at a time, on Xmas Eve. It was dusk and a loveley warm day. Sorry to say folks but it was quite a site and so many kids enjoyed it.
No fires allowed here between March and October so i guess that means no Chines lanterns too.
Title: Re: Chinese Lanterns.
Post by: john and helen on July 01, 2013, 09:18:44 pm
Our neighbours wanted to set some off , their son was killed in afghanistan, so we all went down the estuary, lucky enough it was a north east wind blowing, so they headed out to sea....

I did give the coastguard a call to inform them, as they have had calls saying slow flying flares have been seen on previous occasions

got to say it was very beautiful sight and fitting to the occasion ... but i can understand how others feel when they land in your gardens
Title: Re: Chinese Lanterns.
Post by: Roxy on July 02, 2013, 11:47:20 am
We are not too far from Manchester, and one night, coming silently over the hill, very slowly were all these lights.  I  was a bit puzzled at first, but realised there were no less than 50 of the things. They had obviously been set off at a wedding or some celebration in the city, and now they were heading into our beautiful countryside......that was 50 potential death traps landing on someones fields.......  I do not suppose the people setting them off had any thoughts on where they would land, or the damage they would cause.
 
Its not just restricted to New Year or Guy Fawkes......they come down any time.  I was surprised how cheap they are too - come in packs of 10.
 
 
Title: Re: Chinese Lanterns.
Post by: plumseverywhere on July 02, 2013, 12:55:41 pm
20p each according to the Daily Mirrors front page today.  13 firefighters injured because of someones inconsiderate actions. Not to mention the pollution etc as a result.  You're right, its not just those dates I guess those dates we are extra vigilant but its any time someone decides to let them off really... 
Title: Re: Chinese Lanterns.
Post by: happygolucky on July 02, 2013, 01:21:26 pm
I never understand why they are allowed......if anyone saw some one with a fire bomb going up the road they would soon be stopped but they would choose their target, those lanterns just drop randomly...I think also about people with thatched roofs or plastic ones, we had a rocket from bonfire night, make a hole in our plastic roof, and its new....if one of those lanterns landed on it, the lot would go up......very strange that they still can sell them and so cheaply! :rant:
Title: Re: Chinese Lanterns.
Post by: Berkshire Boy on July 02, 2013, 03:59:14 pm
sorry but don't agree, no one intentionally started the fire and no one intentionally hurt any animals. Some times thing happen but you can't go round banning everything just because something unfortunate happens as a result. We all drive a little faster than we should, we all get distracted by the kids whilst driving both of which could have fatal results, no one has died as a result of a lantern. You have to put things in perspective.
Title: Re: Chinese Lanterns.
Post by: Castle Farm on July 02, 2013, 05:11:35 pm
The first time I saw these lanterns I thought how very dangerous it was sending up a flame without any idea where it was going to land. It's a wonder a fire like this hasn't happened before, but there again I think fireworks are just as bad.
Title: Re: Chinese Lanterns.
Post by: henchard on July 02, 2013, 05:19:55 pm
no one has died as a result of a lantern.

Plenty of animals have

http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/livestock/battle-against-chinese-lanterns-intensifies-after-cow-deaths/45270.article (http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/livestock/battle-against-chinese-lanterns-intensifies-after-cow-deaths/45270.article)

and it's only a matter of time before someone is killed. According to aviation authorities, there is a danger of lanterns being sucked into engines while airborne.

Perhaps you could let me know why it's illegal to drop litter in the street but quite ok to throw burning litter into the night sky?
Title: Re: Chinese Lanterns.
Post by: Tala Orchard on July 02, 2013, 06:34:39 pm
Thoroughly agree the things are a nuisance and should be banded. Why should they be allowed a flaming uncontrolled blazing balloon directed by the elements with a range of 30miles has been mentioned. The damage caused has now been escalated to the £millions we have sen fields alight, animals frightened and pieces of wire caught up in trees and pylons.

About time they along with fireworks are controlled and banned if necessary.

Tala

Title: Re: Chinese Lanterns.
Post by: rispainfarm on July 02, 2013, 06:49:04 pm
Like many of you, I agree that lanterns ought to be banned. It just a shame that they are so dangerous as they are so damn pretty especially if there are a few of them.
Title: Re: Chinese Lanterns.
Post by: happygolucky on July 02, 2013, 07:27:08 pm
Well if I had a thatched roof I know I would want them banned.........then hay barns and scared animals.......seem far too risky in my opinion