"elf and safety strike again, at Gnomes

[Gob]

Over her lifetime she had collected a series of garden gnomes from all over the country.

So when it came to her funeral, Veronica Pratt had one special request – she wanted the colourful little characters to line the route.

The family of the 82-year-old grandmother duly obliged, placing 30 of them on a roundabout past which the cortege would drive.

But almost inevitably, the touching tribute fell foul to that scourge of modern life – the elf ’n’ safety police.



The gnomes were scooped up by council officials who said the little figures could be a ‘danger by distracting passing drivers’.

Mrs Pratt’s family had carefully placed the gnomes among daffodils near her home around the Penblewin roundabout at Narberth, Pembrokeshire. Her son Alan told how it had been her wish to share the gnomes with passers-by and how they were ‘very disappointed’ when the little figures were taken away.

He said: ‘It was what she wanted and we were happy to do it.

‘Mum had a long and well-travelled life, during which she collected gnomes and ornaments from all over the country, each one of which held special memories for her.

‘But she lived here for more than 30 years and loved it.

‘Mum always commented on how lovely the roundabout was, especially in the spring when the flowers came into bloom.

‘This is why she wanted her collection placed there.

‘She also loved the mountains here so her grandchildren hid some of the smaller gnomes in among the stones.’

Mrs Pratt had collected the ornaments, which included birds, animals, fairies, boots and plaques, for display in her garden.

Her children and grandchildren then lovingly moved them on to the roundabout on the route of her funeral.

But the family were told that the gnomes would have to go because of health and safety fears that they might ‘distract drivers’ on the busy A40 route.

Pembrokeshire County Council said it had been instructed to remove the gnomes at the request of transport officials from the Welsh Assembly.

A spokesman said: ‘It was felt to be the right thing to do. The collection is at our roads depot until they can be collected.’

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z1LKOxmfRv

Nothing more distracting than a few garden ornaments on a roundabout, is there?

[Scooter]

Anything that draws drivers' attention away from the road is by definition a distraction.

Why would anyone think they had a right to litter a public roadway with their personal property without having obtained permission (which, if they had asked for in advance, might have provided them with some suggestions as to where and how the gnomes might be placed without causing a problem)?

They are lucky the things were collected carefully and stored rather than being carted to the nearest dump.

[The Hen]

You couldn't do that here either.

Road safety isn't something that can be taken lightly.

[Gob]

I would imagine such things as people, advertising, other traffic, or, as in Penzance for example, a helicopter landing pad next to the road may be more distracting than a few garden gnomes.

Should people not have gnomes in their garden which are visible for the road then?

[Gob]

Of course, these aren't distracting at all...

[Sean]

What's not distracting?

[The Hen]

That's right, they are not distracting.

They are too large to be a distraction as you can see them well and truly before you have made it to the roundabout.

Smill tiny partially hidden colourful objects ARE a distraction.

[Gob]

what like these?

[BoSoxGal]

Logically the distraction is in the unexpected nature of the partially hidden garden gnomes. Large displays of plantings or fountains or sculpture at a roundabout are known entities which become part of the routine landscape. Those gnomes could be quite readily mistaken for a small child or animal about to dart into traffic, and thus pose a danger.

[Scooter]

I would imagine such things as people, advertising, other traffic, or, as in Penzance for example, a helicopter landing pad next to the road may be more distracting than a few garden gnomes.

I would imagine they might be distracting, which I why I also imagine that, prior to placing any of them along a roadway, approval is obtained in advance.

Should people not have gnomes in their garden which are visible for the road then?

What people put on their own property is their own business (to the extent which the law allows) and is therefore a completely different thing.

[The Hen]

what like these?

I can't see anything that is small, tiny or partially hidden in those pictures, can you?

[Gob]

I love the fact that people can find all sorts of things not distracting, flashing lights, multi coloured bikes, things written in flowers, cars crushed under rocks, nativity displays, but gnomes? Sheesh, you can't trust the little fuckers..

to the lot of you!

Beware of unexpected Gnomes at this roundabout!

[The Hen]

Sorry you are not in agreement with well researched road safety principles. Sorry that you ARE in agreement with the Daily Wail.

[Gob]

I've little or no agreement with the mail. My agreement is with some folks who were trying to fulfil their dead mother's request, even if it were a bit daft.

It's a shame that the local council put the needs of what must be Britain's most Bambi like drivers first..

[Sean]

Like Scoot said, the should have asked for permission in advance. I'm sure something could have been worked out for them.

[The Hen]

It is amazing how much you can achieve with Governments if you actually raise the question in the first place. Sometimes Governments will bend over backwards to assist. In this case they probably would have as they could have got a good news story out of it.

Hell, as you well know, our Chiefly one here LOVES his roadside artwork. IF they had approached TAMS to put a gnome guard of honor out there would have been every effort made to comply with the request if they had submitted it in the first place and advised them how long the bloody gnomes would be there in the first place.

(As you also well know, there are many people driving that would find those bright colourful little gnomes a HUGE distraction, and accidents would possibly be likely. *cough* Aunty Wilma *cough*)

[Gob]

It is amazing how much you can achieve with Governments if you actually raise the question in the first place. Sometimes Governments will bend over backwards to assist. In this case they probably would have as they could have got a good news story out of it.

Hell, as you well know, our Chiefly one here LOVES his roadside artwork. IF they had approached TAMS to put a gnome guard of honor out there would have been every effort made to comply with the request if they had submitted it in the first place and advised them how long the bloody gnomes would be there in the first place.

(As you also well know, there are many people driving that would find those bright colourful little gnomes a HUGE distraction, and accidents would possibly be likely. *cough* Aunty Wilma *cough*)

Yep, no probs with any of that!

[The Hen]

Then why shouldn't the UK work any differently?

[BoSoxGal]

If I were one of this lady's children, I would go rescue the gnomes from the Council and put them out at the cemetary as an honor guard to the funeral. Quite certainly the cemetary would allow that, and it would be far more fitting for the folks who know her and are attending her funeral to enjoy the gnomes close up.

[Crackpot]

How does one "enjoy" a Gnome?