4-year-old boy faces £5,000 fine for playing too loudly...

Boy of FOUR is threatened with £5,000 fine... for 'playing too loudly' in his garden

By PAUL SIMS

Last updated at 11:25 PM on 29th August 2011

Football mad: The parents Alfie Lansdell, pictured, were shocked by the threat of a fine

Like most boys his age, Alfie Lansdell can spend hours playing happily in his garden.

But playtime could soon be over for the boisterous four-year-old after a neighbour complained to council officials that he was too noisy.

As a result, his parents have been warned that if he doesn't keep quiet, they will be issued with an abatement order and could face a £5,000 fine.

Last night, they reacted furiously to the letter from Hull City Council. 'We were so shocked when we got the letter, then we just felt angry,' said his father, Simon, a 35-year-old engineer.

'Alfie is a lovely little boy. He likes to play football and skittles and play in his sandpit.

'He's like any other four-year-old. All children create a bit of noise when they play, it's natural. 

'Surely a child should be allowed to make a bit of noise when playing in his own garden? It's the summer holidays, for goodness sake. I just can't believe the council took this complaint seriously.'

He said that they had tried to explain the letter to Alfie and he was now trying to play a little  quieter. But he added: 'He's only four. He doesn't realise.'

The couple, who have lived on the street in Hull for five years, are unsure who made the complaint. But their immediate neighbours are standing by them.

Emma Ward, a 26-year-old student nurse, said: 'It is nice to hear children playing out. The council haven't got a leg to stand on.

Too noisy: Simon and Pippa Lansdell have been told that their son Alfie must play more quietly in their garden

Killjoy: An unnamed neighbour has complained about Alfie, but others fully support the Lansdells. One said: 'He is lovely. He is just a normal little boy playing'

Mother-of-two Carla Chester said: 'Alfie is no different from the other children who play out. It is disgusting they have been contacted by the council about him.'

Alfie's mother Pippa, 31, said: 'I always watch Alfie when he plays in the garden and he's never that noisy. I don't understand it. The weather's been so bad he's barely had a chance to play outside.' 

A bit of hush: Alfie is due to start primary school in September

Alfie, who starts primary school next month, has always played in the 8ft by 8ft front garden at the family's end-of-terrace home without a problem until now.

But the letter from the council's environmental health team claims he is a 'noise nuisance'. 

It states that the complaint relates to a 'child screaming/playing in garden' and asks the parents to consider the impact it could have on their neighbours.  

It then warns them that if the council receives further complaints about the noise, Alfie's behaviour could be monitored with digital recording equipment.  

The complainant has also been asked to keep a record of dates and times when Alfie's playing causes a nuisance, it adds.  

The letter says that if convicted, the Lansdells could be fined £5,000, as well as £500 daily 'for each day the nuisance continues'.  

Mrs Lansdell, a security officer, branded it 'pathetic', adding: 'What am I supposed to do, gag him and put him in his bedroom?' 

A council spokesman said: 'We have to investigate any noise complaints we receive and informed Mr and Mrs Lansdell a complaint had been received.'

Brother & sister SUE mother over wrong birthday card....

The $50,000 tantrum: Brother and sister SUE their mother after she bought the 'wrong' birthday card and refused them toys

• The Illinois lawsuit was filed against Kimberly Garrity
• One of their lawyers was their own father, Steven Miner
• She raised Steven II and Kathryn in a $1.5million home
• Children claimed 'emotional distress' in $50,000 lawsuit

By MARK DUELL

Last updated at 10:54 PM on 28th August 2011

Some children kick up a big tantrum when they’re refused toys or receive the wrong type of birthday card - but it doesn’t usually end up like this.

Kimberly Garrity, who raised Steven II, now 23, and Kathryn, now 20, in a $1.5million home in Illinois, was sued by her own children.

But the siblings, represented by three lawyers including their father, Steven A. Miner, have failed in their $50,000 lawsuit for ‘bad mothering’.

Screaming: Kimberly Garrity, who raised Steven II, now 23, and Kathryn, now 20, has been sued by her own children for 'bad mothering' (file picture)

They alleged Garrity failed to take Kathryn to a car show and threatened Steven II with phoning police if he did not buckle his seatbelt.

The children claim she ‘haggled’ over dress prices and called at midnight to tell Kathryn to come home from a party, reported the Chicago Tribune.

But after two years of battle an appeals court has dismissed the ‘emotional distress’ case, ruling Garrity's conduct was not ‘extreme or outrageous’.

A positive ruling ‘could potentially open the floodgates to subject family childrearing (to) excessive judicial scrutiny and interference,’ it said.

Mr Miner and Garrity were married for around ten years before she filed for divorce 16 years ago, reported the Chicago Tribune.

The birthday card in question was labelled ‘inappropriate’ by Steven II as it allegedly failed to include any money.

Unhappy: The siblings, represented by three lawyers including their father, have failed in their $50,000 lawsuit for 'bad mothering' (file picture)

It had a picture of indistinguishable tomatoes on a table, apart from one in the centre with googly eyes attached.

The card said: ‘Son I got you this Birthday card because it’s just like you ... different from all the rest!’

'It would be laughable that these children of privilege would sue their mother for emotional distress, if the consequences were not so deadly serious'

Shelley Smith, 
Kimberly Garrity’s lawyer

Garrity’s attorney Shelley Smith complained of her ex-husband trying to seek ‘ultimate revenge’ of her children, accusing her of ‘being an inadequate mother’.

‘It would be laughable that these children of privilege would sue their mother for emotional distress, if the consequences were not so deadly serious,’ she wrote in court papers.

Ms Smith wrote Garrity does still love her children but they wanted ‘the benefits afforded by a family relationship, but none of the restraints’.

‘(The children) do not view their (lawsuit) as an attack on mothering, but rather on accountability,’ the children’s father Mr Miner wrote.

‘Everyone makes mistakes, but... there must be accountability for actions. Parenting is no different,’ he added, reported the Chicago Tribune.

Bouncy castle church brings bouncy sermons to congregation-Russia

Bouncy castle church brings inflatable sermons to remote congregation 

Roving priest father Krzysztof Kowal, who couldn't tie down a solid place of worship in Russia, has finally begun conducting sermons - using an inflatable church. 

Related Tags:

Russia

Poland

Pop-up church: The inflatable parish on display in Poland before its journey to Russia (Picture: REX Features)

Father Krzysztof, a Roman Catholic missionary from Poland, has had trouble gaining permission - and cash - to build a permanent place of worship in the Kamchatka peninsula - a 1,250-kilometre stretch located in far eastern Russia.

But long-time friend Robert Wojcik, who builds inflatable toys for children in Kolobrzeg, Poland, stepped in to help by offering to build a temporary church for the isolated congregation. 

Money-raising efforts helped to pay for the alternative structure, which will remain open even in extreme conditions. During winter time, temperatures can drop to minus 40 degrees in the Kamchatka region. 

Father Krzystof - who is a rector of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face parish - said he was thrilled with the design but did admit some might mistake it for a bouncy castle. 

Prior to obtaining the church, most sermons were conducted in rented hotel rooms or outside areas close to lakes and rivers.

Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/873341-bouncy-castle-church-brings-inflatable-sermons-to-remote-congregation#ixzz1WLtJ4amj

Couple bought 'Priceless' Van Gogh for £1,500 at auction...

Couple bought 'priceless' Van Gogh portrait for £1,500 at auction

By ALANAH ERIKSEN

Last updated at 4:19 PM on 28th August 2011

A British couple may have unearthed a long-lost portrait of Vincent Van Gogh after buying it off the internet for just £1,500.

The pastel drawing is believed to be the only full-length portrait of the genius artist in existence and could be worth millions if authenticated.

It is thought to have been painted by a female artist who lived next door to him during his time in Paris.

The picture was simply described on an auction website as 'portrait of a man', but after extensive research, Michael and Mandy Cruickshankbelieve the work - painted in the 1880s - is of the legendary Dutch impressionist.

The painting was found in Versailles where it was last seen in public in 1892.

The couple, from Louth in Lincolnshire, became suspicious by the artist's crumpled hat, similar to one he sketched, and they believed it is the artist in the prime of his artistic career.

Mandy Cruickshank pictured with a not-yet authenticated portrait of Van Gogh she purchased on an online auction for just £1,500

And their view is backed up by several art experts.

A detailed examination by facial recognition experts at the University of Dundee gave the work a four out of six on the chances of it being Van Gogh.

Caroline Erolin, a lecturer in medical and forensic art, said: 'We have scale for matching up likenesses running from no support to powerful support. We rated the painting as having support which is just below strong support which is second highest.

'We compared the painting with a well known self portrait, two other portraits and a photo of Van Gogh from the period.  We were hampered slightly because it was a pastel drawing which is less clear, but there is a good case for it being Van Gogh.'

There a number of clues that painting may be of Van Gogh.

On the wall in the pastel, the words 'L'Incompris', meaning the misunderstood, are scrawled. Van Gogh was famous for writing on his own walls, according to experts.

The artist, Jeanne Donnadieu, wrote her address - 17 Rue Victor Massi -on the back of the original painting, seen in an exhibition in 1892.

The Cruickshanks discovered that the road's name had been changed in 1887.

The painting is thought to have been done by French artist Jeanne Donnadieu in the 1880s while she lived next door to the Dutch impressionist during his time in Paris

It was previously Rue Laval, where Van Gogh lived with his brother Theo, a well-known art dealer, just four doors away at number 25.

The Cruickshanks, who call themselves 'amateur collectors', believe Donnadieu would almost certainly have known the brothers and it is well documented that Van Gogh was allowing portraits at that time.

Mrs Cruickshank said: 'The artist would have known his brother Theo, the famous art dealer - every artist in the city would have known Theo.'

A bible with gilded corners in the portrait is the same as one he is known to have inherited from his father, who died shortly before the portrait was drawn.

The Cruickshanks have even been contacted by Louis Van Tilbourgh,curator of the Van Gogh Museum in Paris, to discuss whether or not the subject is him.

Mrs Cruickshank said: 'We have spent the past year of our lives researching this picture and it has been such an interesting journey.

'There is no way to prove for certain that the subject is Van Gogh, but the evidence is so strong that we are quite certain it is him.

'Mr Van Tilbourgh said he was unsure if Van Gogh would sit for a young female artist, but she was not a nobody.

'She was tutored by Feyen-Perrin, who was admired by Van Gogh which he mentioned in many of his letters.

'And there is a quill and piles of books on the desks - it is well-documented that Van Gogh was a lover of literature and wrote out quotes from these book.'

She added: 'When I look at it I get excited to think this was there in Paris at the centre of it all in such a significant period in art's history.

'We want to share it with the public as it is a little piece of history and a beautiful pastille work. People and galleries from all over the world are interested in displaying it.'

The portrait is currently being displayed in Abbey Walk Gallery, Grimsby until September 3.

Elaine Munson, co-owner of Abbey Walk Gallery, said: 'With programmes such as Fake Or Fortune, there has been a resurgence in art appreciation and the notion of being able to stumble across an original and undiscovered masterpiece.'

 

• 24 August 2011, 10:29

Naked Nigella shocks neighbours

Neighbours of Nigella Lawson have complained that they can see her naked in the bathroom of her multi-million pound London mansion.

The voluptuous television cook has promised to investigate the apparent design flaw, reports the Daily Mail.

Ms Lawson and husband Charles Saatchi have spent a fortune transforming the former warehouse into a £12m seven-bedroom mansion.

But it appears the couple have shunned hoi polloi fittings such as frosted glass or, indeed, even a door leaving a 'clear view' into the bathroom.

Neighbours have since been left afghast after claiming they can see the 51-year-old visiting the bathroom and have seen her in a state of undress.

The home includes a stylish loggia, a gallery open to the elements on one of the upper floors, with the luxurious bathroom beyond.

This has allowed neighbours in exclusive Chelsea being able to unwittingly catch a glimpse of Nigella 'au naturel'.

"It isn't a case of deliberately looking in, but there is a view into the bathroom and anyone glancing in the direction of the loggia from nearby can glimpse what's going on," one said.

But Ms Lawson reportedly "hooted with laughter" when informed about her neighbours' sightings.

"I had no idea we were overlooked," she said. "Obviously, I will investigate."

• 25 August 2011, 9:40

Naked Rambler jailed again

The so-called Naked Rambler is back behind bars after stripping off less than a minute after being released from prison.

Stephen Gough, 52, was arrested outside Perth Prison almost immediately after he was released from his previous 21-month sentence.

He has now been jailed for another 21 months after turning up naked for his trial at Perth Sheriff Court, reports the BBC.

The hearing was initially held up while court staff found a sheet of brown paper for him to sit on "for hygiene reasons".

Gough appeared naked in the court dock and was found guilty of breaching the peace and being in contempt of court.

Sheriff Fletcher told him: "The court expects people to come here in a decent state of dress."

Gough earned the title Naked Rambler by walking unclothed from Lands End to John O'Groats after quitting his job as a lorry driver.

The former Royal Marine, from Eastleigh in Hampshire, has been behind bars in Scotland for much of the past decade.

He has been repeatedly arrested in the street outside Perth Prison by police waiting for him to be released at the end of each sentence.

He claims that arresting him for walking around naked is a breach of his human rights and his right to freedom of expression.

Signed Beatles 'Please Please Me' record to fetch thousands at auction...

Signed Beatles 'Please Please Me' record to be auctioned and expected to fetch thousands

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Last updated at 5:22 PM on 27th August 2011

It's been 50 years since their arrival on the music scene changed the landscape of the industry.

However, it would seem even now memorabilia from the biggest band in modern history can still command a pretty price among die-hard fans.

A 'very, very rare' copy of the Beatles hit Please Please Me - their second single - signed on both sides by the Fab Four, is expected to fetch thousands of pounds at auction.

'Very, very rare': The seven-inch copy of Please Please Me - signed on both sides by the Fab Four - could fetch between £7,000 and £8,000

The seven-inch copy of Please Please Me, released in 1963, has an estimate of £7,000 to £8,000.

The annual Beatles memorabilia auction also includes items which once belonged to John, Paul, George and Ringo, as well as their manager Brian Epstein.

The auction is taking place in the Beatles' home city of Liverpool.

Other highlights are three rarely seen photographs of the band taken at Newcastle City Hall and the Sunderland Empire as Beatlemania was sweeping the world in November 1963.

Award winners: The Beatles with a silver disc to commemorate selling a 250,000 copies of Please Please Me

Collectibles: The annual Beatles memorabilia auction also includes items which once belonged to John, Paul, George and Ringo

The pictures were taken by freelance photographer Keith Perry and the negatives lay forgotten for 48 years.

Each one is being sold with full, worldwide copyright and they are expected to attract a frenzy of bids.

A cap belonging to John Lennon is also expected to attract huge interest and carries an estimate of up to £4,000.

Among the more unusual items up for sale is a compulsory purchase order issued for the famous Cavern Club before it was filled in with concrete in the early 1970s.

The order, dated November 17 1970, carries an estimate of up to £5,500.

Other memorabilia collected from the Mathew Street venue include a piece of the stage, which could fetch £1,600 to £1,800.

Then and now: The Cavern Club - where the Beatles played their first-ever gig - in 1964 and in 2007.  A programme for the reopening of the Cavern is among the items to be auctioned

A programme for the reopening of the Cavern, carried out by then prime minister Harold Wilson in July 1966, has a guide price of £80 to £120.

The auction is also inviting bids for a telegram addressed to 'Mr G Starkex' sent by comedy star Peter Sellers to Ringo Starr and first wife Maureen on August 21 1968.

The message is to let them know that the weather is holding up for Sellers' visit to see them.

The annual sale, part of the Beatles Convention in Liverpool, is attracting huge levels of interest, the organisers said.

Stephen Bailey, manager of the Liverpool Beatles Shop which is staging the sale, said: 'The memorabilia has just kept coming in and there's a lot of excitement building.

'We have several signed singles this year and they always attract a lot of interest from fans and collectors.

'But it's always the more unusual items which capture the imagination of the buyers.'

There are a total of 322 lots being sold in the auction, which will take place in the Paul McCartney Auditorium at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.