News / Harbourside
‘Cease and desist’ notices threaten bird feeding
Feeding the pigeons. It gives one a sense of enormous wellbeing but it can also lead to seemingly spurious legal threats.
In one corner of Bristol, a local resident often feeds the birds with many of her feathered friends gathering for the regular treat.
What appear to be legal notices have now appeared, however, close to where the pigeons are fed on Cathedral Walk in the Harbourside between Tesco and Hargreaves Lansdown.
is needed now More than ever
Two identical notices have appeared on lampposts outside Anchor Point on Cathedral Walk – photo: Martin Booth
‘Notice to cease and desist – public nuisance arising from bird feeding’ says the title of the note pinned to a pair of lampposts next to a table tennis table.
The note dated June 28 is from solicitors Hawthorne & Bell “on behalf of a neighbouring resident and business owner at Anchor Point”, threatening to “initiate legal proceedings” if the feedings of the pigeons does not stop immediately.
“Our client has retained clear evidence of the ongoing nuisance,” the note adds.
“You are therefore strongly advised to cease all bird feeding activities at once and take any reasonable steps necessary to prevent further disturbance or liability, or risk facing legal action.”
There are claims that the bird feeding “has resulted in significant nuisance and environmental harm”.
Hawthorne & Bell do not appear to be a real law firm – photo: Martin Booth
But despite looking official, the notices appear to be fake with no record existing of Hawthorne & Bell.
One resident of Anchor Point said: “At first glance, these signs seem genuine but I don’t think they are legit at all.
“You’ve got to really hate pigeons to go to the trouble of making the notes and threatening someone with legal actin.
“I’ve seen a woman regularly feed the pigeons here and I’m absolutely fine with it. Just let her have her fun.
“Of more concern to be fair is the noise from the large group of people who are regularly playing table tennis, who rig up a loud speaker right underneath people’s windows.
“That’s the real significant public nuisance around here.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
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