zargon
Elementary Poster
Posts: 63
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Post by zargon on Jan 1, 2011 14:04:35 GMT 1
When I put our two horses out into their paddock this morning they ran over to a brightly coloured object in one corner and then started backing away and snorting. On investigation I found it was one of those "sky lanterns" or hot air balloons made of tissue paper with a circular bamboo hoop at its base and a cruciform of thin wire fixed across the mouth of the balloon onto the bamboo hoop. A square of burnt felt or cotton wadding was suspended at the centre of the cruciform.
On this occasion no harm was done; I picked it up and will dispose of it in due course. I am not pleased or happy though. The bamboo would take ages, decades, to "bio-degrade", the wire could have ended up in a bale of our hay or haylage (it was our main hay field) and I have seen the tissue paper of these things hanging about for months afterwards - looking offensive. In towns this would be considered litter. Someone had fun last night celebrating the New Year but did they consider the consequences this sky lantern might have brought? I doubt it. What should be done about this growing problem? Any ideas? Thanks. Zargon.
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Post by jaxnbreeze on Jan 1, 2011 14:14:07 GMT 1
I think they are extremely dangerous and they should be banned.
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Post by julz on Jan 1, 2011 14:15:01 GMT 1
Contact your local council.... I believe that the letting go of such things, balloons included are being dispaired on as they can cause problems when in the air... (thinking flight paths here) otherwise.. just bin it.... unless there's an name and address on it from where it came from you cant do much about it. Just count yourself lucky that you found it before the horses tried to play with it.
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Post by Furiey on Jan 1, 2011 14:28:19 GMT 1
They were flying round me and I was just hoping that none came down in the hay barn.
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jinglejoys
Grand Prix Poster
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 3,503
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Post by jinglejoys on Jan 1, 2011 14:37:54 GMT 1
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Post by sandy on Jan 1, 2011 17:28:10 GMT 1
I looked across at our yard last night where we have 30 horses stabled and a barn full of hay and blowing right across it was a group of about 40 of these things. I know that they should stay in the air until the flame goes out but all seems a bit dangerous to me. I've also had to retrieve one out of our fields which was blowing along the grass and causing much snorting etc from the herd.
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Post by donnalex on Jan 1, 2011 17:57:43 GMT 1
This summer we had a problem with our mains electric fence, it was not working at all. On going round the fencing to check it all the wire of one of these lanterns was welded to the electric fence and touching the sheep netting.
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Post by BJMM on Jan 1, 2011 19:48:55 GMT 1
We had loads of these things in our fields in the summer, plus one or two caught in the trees surrounding our school, they are a damn nuisance and dangerous for horses and wildlife such as foxes and badgers, as well as unsightly.
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Caroline
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Intermediate Poster
Posts: 2,277
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Post by Caroline on Jan 1, 2011 19:52:26 GMT 1
The petrol station in our village in the New Forest was selling them in the tourist season - until I threw a wobbly and went in to complain to the manager several days running. They withdrew them from sale. I can't believe they were so stupid and irresponsible as to sell them in the first place!
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Post by anastasia55555 on Jan 1, 2011 20:19:02 GMT 1
Do u know i hadnt heard of them till a few months ago and didnt really understand what they were till i read this. The thought hadnt even crossed my mind about situations that you lot have found them in. I wont be buying any! fed up enough with fireworks and shooting!!
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oberon
Olympic Poster
Posts: 527
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Post by oberon on Jan 1, 2011 20:28:47 GMT 1
I think they are called Chinese Lanterns. I was watching a couple go across the cliff this evening while walking the dogs. The first flew up and eventually went out as supposed. The second stayed at head height and flew down onto the beach, still lit . If that had been a barn then yikes ! I think they are beautiful - but so not safe !
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emma
Olympic Poster
Posts: 714
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Post by emma on Jan 1, 2011 20:49:47 GMT 1
They should be banned, we had a few in our field this summer at hay making time! Once it's let go you don't know where it's going to end up
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heidi
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 3,490
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Post by heidi on Jan 1, 2011 21:10:06 GMT 1
We found 4 in our fields this morning!
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Post by happysnail on Jan 1, 2011 23:26:11 GMT 1
Wonder if there are anymore horses afraid of the moon after new year and the lanterns? They are very pretty but having been out at new year when one floated about 2 inches from my friend holding her baby at a public firework display, you've got to wonder.
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Post by Furiey on Jan 2, 2011 0:57:24 GMT 1
Having been born near Lakenheath and almost having a hot air balloon land in his field since I've had him (I was there), at least I don't have to worry about Bailey being frightened of them, he's more likely to injure himself trying to kill it if one lands within reach!
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