Poms go bonkers over conkers

Eric Frei · 10th October 2010, 11:34 AM

In yet another example of fear of being sued a local authority removed all the horse chestnuts (conkers) from a tree some 16 months after a young girl (4yo) was struck by a branch that fell from the tree (fracturing her skull). The branch that fell from the tree was apparently thrown into the tree by kids to knock conkers out of the tree.

Signs have also gone up.

Anyway, here's the story and a lawyers take on it too.

Conker police strike again! Horse chestnut warning reminds park goers it's autumn | Mail Online

Quote:

8th October 2010

It goes without saying that conker trees drop conkers in the autumn.

Or does it? It seems there are still those who are surprised by what falls out of a horse chestnut tree at this time of the year.

Take for instance visitors to the Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. At least two have complained about being struck by a conker after walking beneath boughs of a large tree there.

So the council, taking no chances, put a temporary warning sign on it: Beware Falling Conkers – Please Proceed with Care. The action was condemned yesterday by visitors to the park as ‘over the top’.

Gareth Young, 38, said: ‘Where would we be without our trees? We are lucky to have the park.’

Another parkgoer said: ‘I think it’s a bit daft really. They are only conkers. If you walk under a conker tree in autumn it doesn’t take a genius to realise conkers might drop off.’

The sign also attracted the wrath of Local Government Minister Bob Neill. ‘Every person who ever went to school knows exactly when the conker season is,’ he said, adding that he wanted to see an end to the excesses of ‘health and safety zealots’.

St Edmundsbury Borough Council said: ‘A couple of people came into our parks office after being hit by falling conkers and asked if we could warn people at this time of year.’

Last week it was revealed that Nottingham City Council had picked all the conkers off a tree after a girl was hurt by a falling branch the year before. It was believed to have been thrown by children trying to dislodge the conkers.

FOR Nottingham City Council to remove all the conkers from a tree for safety reasons illustrates the widespread misunderstanding of health and safety laws.

Quote:

FOR Nottingham City Council to remove all the conkers from a tree for safety reasons illustrates the widespread misunderstanding of health and safety laws.

It is difficult to see how the council would be liable for a branch thrown by another child to dislodge conkers. The unfortunate injury sustained by Katie Roden was nothing more than an accident.

The Government, in its current review of health and safety, must ensure the public and local authorities are better educated about the difference between an accident and negligence.

Only a better understanding of the law can prevent further needless risk aversion without compromising safety. Accidents happen, but negligence is inexcusable.

M LYONS President of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers Castle Quay, Nottingham

Garry Brockley · 10th October 2010, 11:59 AM

They have been trying to ban conkers for years the fear that a pupil or a member of the public will be hurt when playing the game.

thats just madness! this western litigious society needs to wake up and take responsibility for it's own actions. if you fall over a paver on a footpath try looking where your going next time and report it to the council don't call a lawyer then an ambulance.

So a branch fell out of a tree WOW thats unusual around trees hey, so some kid lost a stick up there and it fell out! we used to use bike wheels, chains, pipes ect anything we could get our hands on to use to dislodge the conkers, just be glad you didnt get hit by one of them.

Apocalypsse · 10th October 2010, 12:00 PM

People need to toughen the frak up, seriously. Complaining after a little conker hits you on the head. Every tree eventually drops it fruit whether it is naturally or by some kids throwing branches at it. People want trees but don't want the negatives that come with it, such a pita talking to them about it.

10th October 2010, 11:59 AM	#2
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,641	Re: Poms go bonkers over conkers They have been trying to ban conkers for years the fear that a pupil or a member of the public will be hurt when playing the game. thats just madness! this western litigious society needs to wake up and take responsibility for it's own actions. if you fall over a paver on a footpath try looking where your going next time and report it to the council don't call a lawyer then an ambulance. So a branch fell out of a tree WOW thats unusual around trees hey, so some kid lost a stick up there and it fell out! we used to use bike wheels, chains, pipes ect anything we could get our hands on to use to dislodge the conkers, just be glad you didnt get hit by one of them. __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

10th October 2010, 12:00 PM	#3
Apocalypsse Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,152	Re: Poms go bonkers over conkers People need to toughen the frak up, seriously. Complaining after a little conker hits you on the head. Every tree eventually drops it fruit whether it is naturally or by some kids throwing branches at it. People want trees but don't want the negatives that come with it, such a pita talking to them about it.

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