The Cinnamon Trust ?

[Kiltpin]

Has anyone had any dealings with an organisation called "The Cinnamon Trust?

Since the lockdown started a couple claiming to represent this Trust drive into our village and visit our neighbours (inside their home). Roughly 3 times a week, so far. 

I went to the next village to deal with our prescriptions and on my return they had parked across my drive, blocking the access. There is visitor parking about 50 yards away, but obviously that was 50 yards too many for them.   

As they were leaving, I asked them not to block my access again and their answer was that it was my fault for not having my car parked there when they arrived. 

When I asked them what they thought they were doing by breaking the lockdown and bringing contagion into the village, they said that they were "licensed" by this Trust to "go anywhere in the country". 

I am in two minds - should I report them to the police or not?  I am not a "jobsworth" and I do believe in live and let live, but I also believe in the rule of law.

Regards 

Chas


   

[heywood]

Have you contacted the Trust to express your concerns and mention the attitude of their employees/volunteers?

https://cinnamon.org.uk/. There is a Facebook page too.

I am sure that if the callers are genuinely from the trust there will be records.

[Kiltpin]

Have you contacted the Trust to express your concerns and mention the attitude of their employees/volunteers?

https://cinnamon.org.uk/. There is a Facebook page too.

I am sure that if the callers are genuinely from the trust there will be records.

 

Just received a reply to my message on their contact page. Was told that these people were obeying the Government guidelines. I replied that I was not a liar and did they want to see the video? 

Ball is in their court now. 

Regards 

Chas

[sugarfizzle]

Chas, Have you spoken to your neighbour about this? He/she may be able to tell you if they are happy for these people to come into the house.

If for example they are offering care and/or support to a vulnerable person, they are allowed to go in, though I would be unhappy myself about allowing somebody in the house if they also visited other people to help them out.

From their website -
"Cinnamon Trust is the only specialist national charity which seeks to relieve the anxieties, problems, and sometimes injustices, faced by elderly and terminally ill people and their pets, thereby saving a great deal of human sadness and animal suffering. The Trust was founded in 1985 by Mrs Averil Jarvis whose determination and dedication has ensured that the manifest need is fully addressed."

But as for parking across your drive, preventing you access - the mind boggles at their reply!

Regards Margaret

[Pheno]

I think lawfully you have to have egress from your driveway and not ingress i.e. you have a right to get out but not a right to get in.

Somebody will confirm.

Pheno

[sugarfizzle]

Quick Google, not verified -

"Obstruction of driveways. ​Under highway law, it is illegal to park a vehicle so that it obstructs other people wanting to use a road or path. ... If you witness a parked car obstructing your driveway please contact the Police using their non-emergency telephone number 101."

Regards Margaret

[IgorStrav]

"If someone is blocking your driveway, or their wheel is over the dropped kerb, they are committing a parking offence.

There are two types of dropped kerbs: those for pedestrians, especially those with buggies or in wheelchairs, and those for drivers to access driveways.

Vehicles parked across dropped kerbs can be ticketed, even if they're not fully blocking it.

But parking very close to a dropped kerb or directly opposite it isn't illegal, even if it restricts access."

The above is from The Sun (sorry, therefore can't vouch for its accuracy).

I would have thought that if it wasn't absolutely required to park as close to the house as possible (ie in the case of transporting patients etc or gaining very swift access in an emergency - ie ambulances/first aid responders) then it would be courteous for someone blocking a driveway to at least apologise.

Does your drive have a dropped kerb, because of course if it does then the info above may apply.

[Viktoria]

Point- do your neighbours have a dog,at or any other pet they may not be able to look, after themselves.?
I contacted it when a dog walking companion needed hospitalisation, his lovely natured dog was sadly incontinent, so few people were willing to house it, even temporarily.
Eventually our friend went to live with family so the problem was solved.
But as far as I know it is a trust for people with animals .
Viktoria.

[Llwyd]

Contact the police, discuss your concerns with them and let them deal with the matter as they see fit. By doing this, if there is a problem, you may save your neighbour a great deal of grief. If they are genuine then there is nothing lost. Even the callers should appreciate your concern for your neighbour.
The matter of obstruction of your drive is really secondary, unless you want to get out in your vehicle.
You are not being a "jobsworth", as you put it. It's no good thinking later …….. if only.