Don't get arrested for blackberry picking!
As summer is starting to pass us by and autumn approaches at a startling rate, the hedgerows are abloom with crimson and blackberries. We do love blackberry season as we tend to spend many days harvesting the berries from the local forest covered hills and country lanes.
However, in February of this year I read with alarm that Bristol City Council had suggested a new bylaw that would make it illegal to remove "the whole or any part of any plant, shrub or tree". |
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I do find this most alarming, as many foragers venture out every autumn with ice cream tubs and gather blackberries to make wine or jam. It is also a country tradition to pick dandelions on St.George's day (23rd April), and many warm summers spent making daisy chains. Soon, all of this could be illegal to do within Bristol Borough.
I can just imagine swarms of undercover police setting up sting operations within parks, hiding in bushes waiting for the unscrupulous forager to come along and pick a berry from a bush. Bang to rights and handed a fine and a criminal record.
I can just imagine swarms of undercover police setting up sting operations within parks, hiding in bushes waiting for the unscrupulous forager to come along and pick a berry from a bush. Bang to rights and handed a fine and a criminal record.
Even more disturbing is that 59% of the population of Bristol are overweight, with one in five children starting school overweight or obese.
If this proposed by-law goes ahead, the council is effectively removing a fun opportunity for children and adults to put down their Ipads, get off of the sofa, get outdoors in the fresh air and have some physical activity whilst enjoying natural and nutritious food.
If this proposed by-law goes ahead, the council is effectively removing a fun opportunity for children and adults to put down their Ipads, get off of the sofa, get outdoors in the fresh air and have some physical activity whilst enjoying natural and nutritious food.
A spokeswoman for Bristol city Council has said "We will obviously take a common sense approach and these by-laws are absolutely not designed to stop people enjoying our parks and green spaces."
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However, people aren't going to want to take the chance of being interviewed by the council or being stood in front magistrate in the hope that they do take a common sense approach.
The article doesn't state what the politicians' reasons for this by-law are.
What do you think prompted them to take this action?
The article doesn't state what the politicians' reasons for this by-law are.
What do you think prompted them to take this action?