No ball games allowed

[Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 11,482
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Can this be legally enforced? There are a couple of small grassy areas surrounded by pavements just across the road from me, and the local kids treat it like a playground.

Don't get me wrong, it's great to see kids getting exercise, but there must be dedicated parks nearby where they can play? (I don't know the local area very well, I'm staying at a friend's house at the moment).

It's very annoying, as they are noisy, tear up the grass by playing football, it's only a matter of time before windows are broken, not too mention there are cars coming and going at the junction.

I don't mean to sound a grumpy old man, but it's for the best. Some of my greatest childhood memories involve playing football and cricket with my brother and friends, but we played on the local school football field.
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Comments

  • jesayajesaya Posts: 35,597
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    If they are byelaws then they can be enforced. Usually local councils do have a selection of byelaws of this kind, it often says someting on the notice.
  • SystemSystem Posts: 2,096,970
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    I don't know if your local council can prevent these children from playing where they shouldn't be. If they really are doing that much damage or creating a lot of noise why not get in touch with your local council and see what can be done.

    We had similar problems in the cul-de-sac where I live, the kids took no notice of the signs that said no ball games, so our local housing association planted several Silver Birches on the green to stop the kids playing there. So far problem solved, they don't have the room to play football.

    Before anyone says that my attitude is mean, these children have plenty of other areas in which to play football, besides half the kids don't even live on the close.
  • jesayajesaya Posts: 35,597
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    I don't know if your local council can prevent these children from playing where they shouldn't be. If they really are doing that much damage or creating a lot of noise why not get in touch with your local council and see what can be done.

    We had similar problems in the cul-de-sac where I live, the kids took no notice of the signs that said no ball games, so our local housing association planted several Silver Birches on the green to stop the kids playing there. So far problem solved, they don't have the room to play football.

    Before anyone says that my attitude is mean, these children have plenty of other areas in which to play football, besides half the kids didn't even live on the close.

    I don't think you are mean at all Silas Marner. I live in a block of flats that has a huge 5acre garden. Ball games are not allowed. We have told kids that live here they can play in the back area of the garden, screened by trees, where no-one gets disturbed... yet some still try and play on the lawns right in front of our patios and balconies. We are going to plant some more small trees too, just as your neighborhood has.

    I don't mind kids playing, but it can be wearing when you are also trying to enjoy the same space and they are screaming and yelling and footballs are flying about.

    Kids don't have all the rights in this world - I have some too!
  • SystemSystem Posts: 2,096,970
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    Jesaya wrote: »
    I don't think you are mean at all Silas Marner. I live in a block of flats that has a huge 5acre garden. Ball games are not allowed. We have told kids that live here they can play in the back area of the garden, screened by trees, where no-one gets disturbed... yet some still try and play on the lawns right in front of our patios and balconies. We are going to plant some more small trees too, just as your neighborhood has.

    I don't mind kids playing, but it can be wearing when you are also trying to enjoy the same space and they are screaming and yelling and footballs are flying about.

    Kids don't have all the rights in this world - I have some too!

    Thank you Jesaya:)

    I like to see children playing out rather than stuck indoors in front of a tv or pc, especially where I live as its quite secluded and safe. But when you have a football constantly being kicked at your windows and doors, add to that all the noise too then it begins to grate on you after a while.

    Have you thought of contacting your local council to see if they can help with the cost of some new trees to help minimise the noise.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 1,444
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    Hello!

    I am not sure if it varies depending on which council serves the area you live in...

    I am a PCSO, and we have quite alot of nuisance youth complaints regarding teenagers and kids kicking footballs about in the street, or behind houses with these "no ball game signs" up...

    As far as I am aware, in Leeds / Bradford councils, they are not enforceable.. i'm not entirely sure why, there's some sort of weird thing to do with the by-law...

    Sucks really, but signs sometimes do deter the kids, but i guess it's pointless having them up if there's nothing there to back them up !
  • diablodiablo Posts: 8,300
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    My parents got some of the notices from the council and persuaded their neighbours to paste some up. I think they are legally enforcible, but I was still surprised when they seemed to work!

    I feel a bit sorry for the kids, as there is now nowhere nearby for them to play. All the 'spare' areas around have been built over.
  • WokStationWokStation Posts: 23,112
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    Provided they're not kicking it against your wall, what's the problem?

    Really, people just don't let kids be kids anymore. And then we wonder why the younger generations are so annoyed at us...
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 5,726
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    we had one of these on a small green near where i used to live years ago, one of the residents phoned the police on us for playing there but they said there was nothing they could do but move us on.

    i dont really think theres anything you can do.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 333
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    I don't know if your local council can prevent these children from playing where they shouldn't be. If they really are doing that much damage or creating a lot of noise why not get in touch with your local council and see what can be done.

    We had similar problems in the cul-de-sac where I live, the kids took no notice of the signs that said no ball games, so our local housing association planted several Silver Birches on the green to stop the kids playing there. So far problem solved, they don't have the room to play football.

    Before anyone says that my attitude is mean, these children have plenty of other areas in which to play football, besides half the kids don't even live on the close.

    And when you was a kid you played strictly in your own street did you? There playing football, not shooting up, leave them be!
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 11,482
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    WokStation wrote: »
    Provided they're not kicking it against your wall, what's the problem?

    Did you read the original post?

    Do you mean apart from

    -the noise (I'm trying to do some work, and all I can heard is thump, thump, thump, like a really out of tune dance anthem)
    -the destruction of a tidy grassy area
    -the litter (there are no bins, and rightly so, it isn't a playground)
    -the threat of damaged property
    -the threat of injury or death to children
    -the underlying tone of the fact that people think they can do whatever they want these days without consequence

    :confused:
  • Jimmy ConnorsJimmy Connors Posts: 117,519
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    I have these signs outside my block. TBH I'd be happy if the kids were just playing around with a ball, instead of speeding up and down on those stupid little motorbike thingies and swearing at anybody who dares to get in their way. But then who are we to complain? We only pay the service charge!:rolleyes:
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 11,482
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    I have these signs outside my block. TBH I'd be happy if the kids were just playing around with a ball, instead of speeding up and down on those stupid little motorbike thingies and swearing at anybody who dares to get in their way. But then who are we to complain? We only pay the service charge!:rolleyes:

    Oh we get that too, so just be glad you have the no ball games signs.
  • WokStationWokStation Posts: 23,112
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    dmuk wrote: »
    -the noise (I'm trying to do some work, and all I can heard is thump, thump, thump, like a really out of tune dance anthem)
    Which, provided they're not kicking it against your wall, really isn't that loud.
    -the destruction of a tidy grassy area
    Yet parks remain in pretty good condition despite people playing ball games on them all day.
    -the litter (there are no bins, and rightly so, it isn't a playground)
    Seperate issue, and would be the same were they to be playfighting there (which wouldn't be against the rules). Get some bins. Obviously it is a play area.
    -the threat of damaged property
    Is no greater now than it has been for a long, long, time. Kids have been playing football in the roads for many years - be thankful they're choosing to do it on grass.
    -the threat of injury or death to children
    Yes, heaven forbid a kid kicks a ball into another's face (though of course, this couldn't happen on a park!). The only real concern is running out into roads, and see my above example for an answer to that.
    -the underlying tone of the fact that people think they can do whatever they want these days without consequence
    Yes, like when they complain when some kids are having some pretty ordinary fun rather than joyriding and taking drugs.

    Seriously, it's something that very much annoys me. These days kids are pushed out of sight, told to be quiet, told they're a menace and so must be heavily regulated. They're weighed and measured by the government at every opportunity, villified in the press and heavily restricted on what they can do which was perfectly fine only 15 years ago.
    It's just encouraging the ASBO generation's evolution.

    Personally I think you need some tolerance of children. Let them be kids for frick's sake.
  • SystemSystem Posts: 2,096,970
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    sean97 wrote: »
    And when you was a kid you played strictly in your own street did you? There playing football, not shooting up, leave them be!

    When these kids have to go out of their way to come and play football outside mine and my neighbours houses it makes it my business and if they are making a nuisance of themselves then I'll make it my business to do something about it.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 11,482
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    WokStation wrote: »
    Which, provided they're not kicking it against your wall, really isn't that loud.

    Yet parks remain in pretty good condition despite people playing ball games on them all day.

    Seperate issue, and would be the same were they to be playfighting there (which wouldn't be against the rules). Get some bins. Obviously it is a play area.

    Is no greater now than it has been for a long, long, time. Kids have been playing football in the roads for many years - be thankful they're choosing to do it on grass.

    Yes, heaven forbid a kid kicks a ball into another's face (though of course, this couldn't happen on a park!). The only real concern is running out into roads, and see my above example for an answer to that.

    Yes, like when they complain when some kids are having some pretty ordinary fun rather than joyriding and taking drugs.

    Seriously, it's something that very much annoys me. These days kids are pushed out of sight, told to be quiet, told they're a menace and so must be heavily regulated. They're weighed and measured by the government at every opportunity, villified in the press and heavily restricted on what they can do which was perfectly fine only 15 years ago.
    It's just encouraging the ASBO generation's evolution.

    Personally I think you need some tolerance of children. Let them be kids for frick's sake.

    Blimey, I didn't know we were going for multi-quote so soon into the thread... detailed analysis, convenient for pointing out individual points while disregarding the last, huh?

    But anyway, you don't know how loud it is, but I can tell you it's very distracting, unless you're a loud family who likes to watch Coronation St on full blast, then you probably wouldn't notice. Parks remain in good condition because everyone is out playing the streets, plus they'll have dedicated cleanup teams that specialise for park areas, I know if I was in charge of public area maintenance, I wouldn't dedicate the same resources to a small grassy area on a street the same as a park. It's not a dedicated play area, there is a lot of traffic and it's dangerous, encouraging kids to play there is like encouraging a moth to a flame. They play on the roads too, and the "it's happened for years, put up with it" isn't an argument that will wash with me, i'm afraid. Of course the risk is the road, what on earth do you think I am on about? Do you think I'm worried about one of the lads injuring his metatarsal and not being able to play in the World Cup?! Lastly, kids joyriding has nothing to do with this.

    Adults have rules and regulations, it's what binds society as a system together. Kids need to learn this, and letting them play where ever the hell they want isn't teaching them lessons about life.

    I'm sure the kids cry into their sugar coated cereals every morning over the government's pointless use of ASBOs.
  • WokStationWokStation Posts: 23,112
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    If your real concern is the road, ask for a fence to be put up.

    I'm sorry, but kids will be kids. These particular children are not out joyriding (see, it is relevant), they're enjoying what some would consider to be this nation's favourite past-time, other than complaining.

    You say I disregarded the last point, I thought I covered it by applying it equally to yourself.

    And yes, you are sounding like a grumpy old guy. Personally I really enjoy the sound of kids enjoying themselves. I spent today in the company of about 100 children, all running around screaming, shouting, having fun.
    It was great :)
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 11,482
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    WokStation wrote: »

    I'm sorry, but kids will be kids. These particular children are not out joyriding (see, it is relevant),:)

    What!? You could put any example in there.

    These particular children are not out producing weapons of mass destruction, let them do what they want.

    No, the reason that it's irrelevant is that i'm not saying they shouldn't play sport, they should do it in a dedicated area, therefore listing examples of alternative activities is not relevant here, if anything, in designated areas, their fun will flourish as they'll have a proper area to play.

    The kids get an area to play, perhaps in the future with better funding from the council, and I get time to work without distractions. I can't see the problem you have with this compromise, other than being overly defensive and argumentative. :confused: I can't see how I can be anymore reasonable here.
  • SystemSystem Posts: 2,096,970
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    "The problem with yoof today" is a phrase you'll often hear. I don't think there is a problem as such but is there such is it a surprise?

    Kids have NOTHING today. They can't sit in doors and play their computers - that's wrong they'll get fat and socially inept. They cannot play ball games on most communal greens - that upsets the locals and violates the 'No Ball Games Allowed' sings. They cannot just hang around in the street and chat with their mates - they get ASBO's and get called anti-social just because old people think that the sight of anyone under 20 out after 5pm is 'intimidating'. They do not have any local facilities built for them as 9/10 pensions seem to think that everything in the community should be for them so whereas they get bingo halls, tea rooms, bus services, benches, trees and parks the kids VERY occasionally get a youth centre which in most towns gets protested against so heavily by people who for some reason seem to resent young people's right to exist.

    The problem with 'yoof' today is that people have forgot that they were once kids too.
  • WokStationWokStation Posts: 23,112
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    dmuk wrote: »
    What!? You could put any example in there.

    These particular children are not out producing weapons of mass destruction, let them do what they want.
    Now that is an irrelevant example. How many kids are out there producing WMDs? Joyriding, however, is unfortunately fairly common.
    No, the reason that it's irrelevant is that i'm not saying they shouldn't play sport, they should do it in a dedicated area, therefore listing examples of alternative activities is not relevant here, if anything, in designated areas, their fun will flourish as they'll have a proper area to play.

    The kids get an area to play, perhaps in the future with better funding from the council, and I get time to work without distractions. I can't see the problem you have with this compromise, other than being overly defensive and argumentative. :confused: I can't see how I can be anymore reasonable here.
    I see, regulated fun. Instead of meeting your mates on the local bit of green which no-one else uses, you've got to go to one of the sanctioned locations which more often than not will charge access or be crowded.

    How can you be more reasonable, you ask? Simple. Let them get on with it. You say it's a compromise - no, it's not. A compromise is where both sides are equally unhappy - just what are you giving in this compromise?
    Sounds like you getting your way and dressing it up as one to me.

    A compromise would be where you go out there, speak nicely to the lads, explain what the problem is and ask them not to do it after xyz time so you can get abc done. That is a compromise.

    AaronG... don't get me started on yoof today!
  • Turnbull2000Turnbull2000 Posts: 7,588
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    Seems like a few kids in Peterborough will be sh*t out of luck if the local residents have the same attitude towards children as some people in this thread.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cambridgeshire/6629655.stm

    The most expensive state school in the UK will not have an outdoor space for students when it opens in September.

    Alan McMurdo, head of Peterborough's £46.4m Thomas Deacon Academy, said: "This is a massive investment of public money and I think what the public want is maximum learning.

    "They recognise that youngsters can play in their own time, play in their local communities.


    Or seemingly not.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 7,973
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    dmuk wrote: »
    Can this be legally enforced? There are a couple of small grassy areas surrounded by pavements just across the road from me, and the local kids treat it like a playground.

    Don't get me wrong, it's great to see kids getting exercise, but there must be dedicated parks nearby where they can play? (I don't know the local area very well, I'm staying at a friend's house at the moment).

    It's very annoying, as they are noisy, tear up the grass by playing football, it's only a matter of time before windows are broken, not too mention there are cars coming and going at the junction.

    I don't mean to sound a grumpy old man, but it's for the best. Some of my greatest childhood memories involve playing football and cricket with my brother and friends, but we played on the local school football field.

    how many of those are left for them to play on? besides, would you rather they played on the green or used it for other 'unsocial' activities?
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 11,482
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    There is no more discussion on this as far as I am concerned, I am preparing a letter to the council. Whether I send it or not depends on my friend, but I know he'll agree with me as he warned me about it before I moved in.

    10pm last night they were still playing, being rowdy and noisy, bloody ridiculous.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 280
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    this situation is all caused by the local authorities selling the parks to developers for flats.

    i stay in an old tenement building with a fairly large garden, but i dont let my daughter play in it because the guy in the ground floor flat works nghtshift and it wouldnt be fair on him to listen to the wee one kicking a ball around. the local park has been cut in half to accomodate luxury flats and the remainder is full of broken glass and junkies. the only option i have is to drive her to the football playing fields (which are about to be cut in half as the proposed rail link to glasgow airport goes straight through) so she can play safely and not annoy anyone.

    perhaps if the councils stopped selling off areas where we used to play as kids, they wouldnt have to play in areas which annoy other people?
  • WokStationWokStation Posts: 23,112
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    dmuk wrote: »
    There is no more discussion on this as far as I am concerned, I am preparing a letter to the council. Whether I send it or not depends on my friend, but I know he'll agree with me as he warned me about it before I moved in.

    10pm last night they were still playing, being rowdy and noisy, bloody ridiculous.

    At 10pm you have cause for complaint, but that's nothing to do with football on a green and everything to do with disturbing the peace.

    And a letter to the council? Oh dear, you're not even a resident. I'm sure if your friend had real issue, they'd have done that themselves.

    Though naturally, don't let me stop you sending it. It is your right to do so, just as it's my right on here to tell you I disagree with you.

    I do find it rather interesting how you berated me for not addressing a single point amongst many in one of my posts, yet when challenged on your points you simply drop the discussion.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 11,482
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    What points? You basically told me to shut up and put up, and to stop being a grumpy old man. thesloaneranger made more poiganant points in one post than you did in five.
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