Alfresco Living Online Blog

A garden centre boss was fuming this week after an employee who stole his stock of garden furniture and accessories and sold them on eBay “escaped justice” at Canterbury Crown Court.

Steve Hills became aware that over 440 items had disappeared from his warehouse over the past year – items such as garden lights, fountains, pond pumps and thermometers, while noticing that suspiciously identical items were being sold on the popular internet auction site.

Mr Hills hunted down the seller to confront him, only to find it was one of his own staff. He dished out “summary justice” to the employee, an Aaron Baker of Margate, whereupon police were called and Mr Baker admitted the thefts. This week he received a suspended five-month jail sentence and 120 hours community service.

Following the 20-minute court hearing, Mr Hills stormed out of the court and later told the local paprt: “That is just a joke. What he did to my business was appalling and he seems to have escaped justice? I was so angry I wanted to shout something in court but I thought it best to leave because of what had happened earlier.”

The sorry episode just reinforces how important it is to get your garden furniture from a reliable online supplier.

photo credit: NASA Goddard Photo and Video

The Met Office warned householders to lock up their garden furniture today after weather forecasters said that Hurricane Katia is now heading for the British Isles.

The hurricane is expected to hit Ireland on Monday and arrive at the British coast the following day, with the Scottish islands likely to be the worst hit.

The Met Office issued a severe weather warning for Scotland, Ireland, Northern England, West Wales, Cornwall and Devon and stressed that 10mph winds were likely, making a few precautionary measures necessary.

These included securing any loose objects outdoors, such as garden furniture, ladders and lawn ornaments to prevent them blowing into windows and walls; closing and securely fastening all doors and windows – with particular attention to garages.

Cars and bikes should be locked away in a garage if possible, otherwise they should be kept clear of buildings, trees, walls and fences.

Householders with lofts should batten down the trapdoors and any houses with shutters should close them securely.

photo credit: Elsie esq.

RAF personnel based in Rutland pitched in last week to give the garden furniture at the Oak House Residential Home a new lease of life.

The servicemen and women based at RAF Cottesmore arrived at the old folks home to lend a hand as part of Heroes for Help scheme – an initiative which sees members of Britain’s armed forces carrying out community work to brighten up their local region.

After identifying the work that was required on Oak House’s garden furniture, the personnel sanded it down, cleaned it and applied fresh coats of paint, according to the Rutland Times. They also renovated an enormous parasol in the garden.

The home’s manager Linda Ellis told the local paper: “RAF Cottesmore approached us asking if there was anything we needed and we really appreciated their help.”

“All the furniture looks brand new and the garden looks absolutely lovely now. It will make a big difference when the residents sit outside in the sunny weather.”

photo credit: andres musta

Yorkshire police have sent out a warning to householders this month to keep their gardens secure, as thieves take to lifting garden furniture, play equipment and tools from locals’ backyards.

Taking advantage of soaring scrap metal prices against a background of economic difficulties, police warned that such garden thefts have soared, and the region’s forces have been prompted to set up specialist investigation teams

Inspector Jason Booth, who leads teams in parts of Sheffield, told the Yorkshire Post: “I am noticing a big increase in thefts we wouldn’t ordinarily see.”

“Garden furniture, barbecues, fridges, dishwashers and children’s trampolines are being stolen from gardens and these are staying under the radar because they are being classed as ‘other theft’, but they are all metal,” he added.

“It really frustrates me that people think they can just go on to somebody’s property and help themselves to it.”