Mickwhitt 4,626 #1 Posted October 4, 2022 Did a bit of radical apple tree pruning today. We've had a good crop on the community project land but this time of year we get kids using them as ammunition for pelting houses and cars with.... We have Halloween at the end of the month which some kids have bent the rules of. Instead of giving them a trick or a treat as you guys over the pond do, our UK kids decided that if you don't ante up with wodges of free sweets they will bombard your house with anything readily to hand, from rocks to eggs to rotten apples. We never did the whole trick or treat thing when I was young, just lit lanterns made of an old turnip and looked out for Witches. We imported truck or treat from you guys and to be honest you can have the bugger back lol. In addition to this we have Guy Fawkes night on November 5th. To remember when some halfwit made a right mess of blowing up parliament, thus condemning us to centuries of idiotic rule. Most kids wouldn't have a clue about that anymore and they simply know it as fireworks night or just bonfire night. Again they have tampered with the rule book and fireworks night stretches from mid October untilwell into the new year. (Who says we have no money when literally thousands of pounds will go up in smoke). As a kid I would have been conscrpited into the volunteer army of thousands of tiny wood ants who's sole purpose was to find, secure and retrieve as much "Bunny wood" as possible for a bonfire to be held on our street; each street had their own fire and competition to have the biggest could be pretty intense. Trees, timber, school desks and even outdoor toilet doors were squirrelled away and guarded 24/7 by squads of crack catapult shots to prevent poaching by other streets. The fire itself wood be lit by my dad, using plenty of pink paraffin. Usually accompanied by the massed bands of Jump Junior and infants school and the local cub scout pack it was a solemn occasion. Toffee apples, parkin, pies and peas and potatoes roasted in the bonfire (usually blackened to a crisp on the outside and still raw in the middle, they were eaten like a hot lollipop with your finger stuck in the cold centre) were all consumed by hordes of hungry kids. Crowned by the burning of Guy Fawkes in effigy on top of the fire which we blood thirsty, sawn off savages cheered with glee. Throw in half a dozen sparklers, a Catherine wheel nailed to next doors fence and a fireworks selection box (most of which did exactly the same thing) and we were sated for another year. Mixed in with this festival of mayhem is Nov the 4th or mischievous night. Traditionally, groups of wiry kids would March secretly about the village, cutting washing lines (serves you right you should take them back in!), playing knock and run, hedge hopping and other harmless jokes. I will tell more of those if anyone is interested. I myself took part in many a night time operation to strike back at the adult population and further the cause of youth emancipation from their dull little lives. The rules have again been modified by modern youth and now mischievous night lasts about a month and involves criminal damage on an industrial scale. Hence the apple tree reduction. If I can remove the last of the apples and raise the criwns so that less low hanging hand grenades are available I will be a happy bunny. Some in the area wanted the trees cutting down to stop them being used as ammo dumps but that's a bit harsh on those who pick and use the apples. So I've Wombled on a bit so I'd love you to get back with your seasonal festivals and customs. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,232 #2 Posted October 4, 2022 What you describe is the natural inclination we competitive humans have to "go one better" than the other bloke. Year after year, it accrues until someone gets hurt of there is some "industrial scale damage" that cannot be overlooked and the parade comes to a screeching halt. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,563 #3 Posted October 4, 2022 (edited) During height of the Covid lockdown I wasn’t taking any chances with my Wheel Horses as they took out some pesky scarecrows… Edited October 4, 2022 by SylvanLakeWH 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
