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No timeframe for Thames Water hosepipe ban to end, says company
No timeframe for Thames Water hosepipe ban to end, says company

BBC News

time7 days ago

  • Climate
  • BBC News

No timeframe for Thames Water hosepipe ban to end, says company

A water company has said it can't say when a hosepipe ban will come to an end because it is "generally waiting for rain".Thames Water announced a ban last week which has come into effect for customers with postcodes beginning with OX, GL, SN, RG4, RG8 and follows bans from Yorkshire Water, Southern Water and South East Water and affects almost 1.1 million people in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Tucker, demand reduction manager at Thames Water, said he appreciates how frustrating it is when water use is restricted and there are many leaks at the same time, but said the company is "doing everything they can to deal with it". The unusual dry spell and heatwaves over the past few months triggered the ban and some residents and businesses in Berkshire have told the BBC it is "restrictive and difficult". Professional gardener Janet Wood said: "It is difficult because sometimes we only go to our customers' gardens once a week, sometime fortnightly."If they aren't watering then that makes it very difficult for us, because everything is dying by the time we visit again."It can be very depressing to see."Ms Wood explained that if gardeners are "lucky" then "our customers have invested in a drip system" - which are very small hoses that drip water gradually into the flower said: "These are very economical, effective and not part of the hosepipe ban."Otherwise, we have to hope our customers are using a watering can and are giving every plant a good dose of water, at least twice a week.""The situation is very frustrating," she added."We need to be looking at drought-proof plants that can withstand longer periods without water and finding ways to be economical with water because it is something we are going to have to deal with more in the future." Kevin Browne, vice-chairman and honorary treasurer of Henley-on-Thames Bowling Club, said the ban means the club is "restricted" even though they are a sports added that Thames Water has been "very ambiguous" with its explained that the club has a "delightful green lawn" which looks healthy because there has been "plenty of rain in the last few days"."If we have the weather we have had over the last three months then it will give us lots of problems and could be restrictive," he added."We have a number of areas in the lawn where it goes really brown, particularly where our sprinklers don't cover the lawn properly, but we can water those patches with the watering can."He said the club has been told by Thames Water that "if things really get dire then they would be sympathetic to us using our sprinklers".And Mr Browne is hopeful the club won't be badly impacted. "With the weather the way it is now we are not going to be affected in any major way whatsoever," he said. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

Banham campsite clampdown for 'aggressive' cat Harry
Banham campsite clampdown for 'aggressive' cat Harry

BBC News

time13-06-2025

  • General
  • BBC News

Banham campsite clampdown for 'aggressive' cat Harry

A campsite has complained to the owner of a neighbourhood cat that her wandering moggy was "aggressive" and could deter guests. Harry makes regular stop-offs at Applewood Countryside Park in his home village of Banham, Norfolk - but the company director claims he is far from the purr-fect a letter, she called on Harry's owner Janet Wood to "intervene" after he allegedly attacked a guest's dog and almost caused an accident by sitting in a driveway."I wasn't really sure whether to laugh or to get a little bit upset; I'm not sure he's that intimidating," said Ms Wood, who is considering rehoming him. "I'm really sorry he's upset people - it's a lovely campsite and the people there are lovely."He doesn't mean any harm." Applewood's director Kiera Goymour said she had heard about Harry's behaviour from a number of less-than-happy campers. The eight-year-old puss allegedly followed a dog walker on site and became "aggressive and attacked the dog", she stated in her letter."It continued to follow and act aggressively, which ultimately forced the guest to run across the park to get away," the letter same guest had seen Harry being affectionate with people but his aggression towards dogs would "seriously deter them from visiting again", Ms Goymour another occasion, Harry sat in front of reception, "impeding vehicle access, which nearly caused an accident due to the driver having to emergency brake whilst towing a caravan," her letter urged Ms Wood to intervene for Harry's welfare and the safety of guests, or she would "have to take matters further".Ms Wood said she no-one else had complained about Harry, who follows her to the village shops. "He's fine, he's lovely," said Jonathan Wise, of Banham Butchers."He's a cute little cat. "Sometimes when we open up he's out there waiting and will dart in hoping for a little sneaky sausage."Brian Mcallister, who runs The Barrell pub, said: "He's part of The Barrel family, and he's entertaining for everybody. He's a great character, we all love him."In a statement to the BBC, Ms Goymer said: "It was such a minor matter."I had a conversation with the owner and it was all resolved, sharing our concerns for the cat's welfare and safety as a result of customer feedback we received, and the fact that I witnessed a potential accident happen in front of reception."Ms Wood said she had had several offers of a new home for Harry."It would be sad for me to do that, but I just don't want him mistreated," she added. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

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