Musings from the Merse
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
No such Thing as a Free Cycle?
A cri de couer posted recently on Berwickshire Freecycle:
Lately this has become a place where members are able to post about urban myths atlength and we can have debates about it, but not about equally "off-topic"humanitarian issues.
It has, in my mind, strayed quite a distance from the motto of the mother site-
Changing The World One Gift At A Time.
Being someone who has recently had a "gift" from another Freecycler taken away
(the person in question gave it to someone else the day before they knew we were
collecting it and didn't have the grace to let me know) I am beginning to feel this is more about people getting good stuff for free.
Not interested.
I will contact BAVs about my house clearance next month. Wash and press all the
clothes and take them to charity shops in Edinburgh instead. (addressed from Duns)
What is the main beef here? : One possibility is the refusal by the moderators to publish information about local protests on the Israeli invasion of Gaza. I suppose fair enough as this forum is not the place for such 'political' issues, however worthy the motivation may be. But I think the principle objection is understandable pique over the free cycler who give away something previously promised to the writer. Irritating as this certainly is (and in my case its usually about people who say they want something and then don't bother to turn up with no word of apology or explanation. Or complain about the quality of the item on offer!) But surely not a reason for abandoning the whole system?
And as for " I am beginning to feel this is more about people
getting good stuff for free"
Er, Yes. It is. Isn't that what Freecycle is for?
Or have I missed something?
And good news: a guy is coming around this evening to TAKE ALL THE RED GRAVEL
If he doesn't I have a good mind to wash it all and take it up to the charity shops in Edinburgh
But why Edinburgh I hear you cry. There is a perfectly good one in Duns
A cri de couer posted recently on Berwickshire Freecycle:
Lately this has become a place where members are able to post about urban myths atlength and we can have debates about it, but not about equally "off-topic"humanitarian issues.
It has, in my mind, strayed quite a distance from the motto of the mother site-
Changing The World One Gift At A Time.
Being someone who has recently had a "gift" from another Freecycler taken away
(the person in question gave it to someone else the day before they knew we were
collecting it and didn't have the grace to let me know) I am beginning to feel this is more about people getting good stuff for free.
Not interested.
I will contact BAVs about my house clearance next month. Wash and press all the
clothes and take them to charity shops in Edinburgh instead. (addressed from Duns)
What is the main beef here? : One possibility is the refusal by the moderators to publish information about local protests on the Israeli invasion of Gaza. I suppose fair enough as this forum is not the place for such 'political' issues, however worthy the motivation may be. But I think the principle objection is understandable pique over the free cycler who give away something previously promised to the writer. Irritating as this certainly is (and in my case its usually about people who say they want something and then don't bother to turn up with no word of apology or explanation. Or complain about the quality of the item on offer!) But surely not a reason for abandoning the whole system?
And as for " I am beginning to feel this is more about people
getting good stuff for free"
Er, Yes. It is. Isn't that what Freecycle is for?
Or have I missed something?
And good news: a guy is coming around this evening to TAKE ALL THE RED GRAVEL
If he doesn't I have a good mind to wash it all and take it up to the charity shops in Edinburgh
But why Edinburgh I hear you cry. There is a perfectly good one in Duns
Labels: BAVS, Berwickshire Freecycle
Monday, December 15, 2008
Can you spare a job Guvnor
I rejoined Berwickshire Freecycle to dispose of a large garden storage chest surplus to shrunken garden requirements. With the credit crunch the site seems more popular than ever(16 responses in about 30 minutes about the storage chest which is moving all of 50 yards to its new home)
Sign of the times: 'If anyone doesn't want their job anymore can I have it. Anything reasonable considered'
The message has now disappeared. I hope he got something. Sorry I couldn't help.
Is blogging a job?
(I am also letting a beloved folding golf trolley go. Almost works)
I rejoined Berwickshire Freecycle to dispose of a large garden storage chest surplus to shrunken garden requirements. With the credit crunch the site seems more popular than ever(16 responses in about 30 minutes about the storage chest which is moving all of 50 yards to its new home)
Sign of the times: 'If anyone doesn't want their job anymore can I have it. Anything reasonable considered'
The message has now disappeared. I hope he got something. Sorry I couldn't help.
Is blogging a job?
(I am also letting a beloved folding golf trolley go. Almost works)
Labels: Berwickshire Freecycle
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Freecycling Down Hill
Huttonian is intrigued by the latest 'wants' ad in Berwickshire Freecycle:
HI everybody i am looking for a standard greenhouse, and large whisky bottles for keeping loose change in please read this and i would be
much appreciated to anyone who can help.
I am not sure how many people could offer a 'standard' greenhouse whatever that is-Standard Kew, room for 400 Routemasters? Standard Berwickshire Laird with seating for 200? Bog Standard bendy Metal with cheap glass? -but worth a punt I suppose. The large whisky bottle is also intriguing. How much loose change will readily fit down the neck? My 40oz (nearly empty, since you ask) Glenfiddich will just take 5p pieces-20p nope, pound coins no way. . I suppose you could fold up some of those fairly rare Scottish One Pound and slip them down the bottle together with a model of the Cutty Sark in full sail. But difficult to retrieve with Christian Aid hammering at the door.
It may be of course that he would like big bottles for the fun of breaking them in half and keeping the bottom bit for the 'loose change'. Top end, if jagged enough would make a neat personal (defensive) weapon for a night out in Eyemouth
Mind you perhaps he has the largest collection of 5ps in the free world and is saving
them for a wet day. Like today or any day in Dumfries
Huttonian is intrigued by the latest 'wants' ad in Berwickshire Freecycle:
HI everybody i am looking for a standard greenhouse, and large whisky bottles for keeping loose change in please read this and i would be
much appreciated to anyone who can help.
I am not sure how many people could offer a 'standard' greenhouse whatever that is-Standard Kew, room for 400 Routemasters? Standard Berwickshire Laird with seating for 200? Bog Standard bendy Metal with cheap glass? -but worth a punt I suppose. The large whisky bottle is also intriguing. How much loose change will readily fit down the neck? My 40oz (nearly empty, since you ask) Glenfiddich will just take 5p pieces-20p nope, pound coins no way. . I suppose you could fold up some of those fairly rare Scottish One Pound and slip them down the bottle together with a model of the Cutty Sark in full sail. But difficult to retrieve with Christian Aid hammering at the door.
It may be of course that he would like big bottles for the fun of breaking them in half and keeping the bottom bit for the 'loose change'. Top end, if jagged enough would make a neat personal (defensive) weapon for a night out in Eyemouth
Mind you perhaps he has the largest collection of 5ps in the free world and is saving
them for a wet day. Like today or any day in Dumfries
Labels: Berwickshire Freecycle, Borders
Thursday, July 03, 2008
ITS NOTHING BUT A TRI COLOURED HOUNDDOG
Country Strife http://countrystrife.blogspot.com/ has scooped Hutton on this-its the early bird which getteth the (offered-Ayton) can of worms on Berwickshire Freecycle-and this post is still up with no one so far claiming E.Presley's former pet. Actually its against the rules to mention pets on Freecycle (together with drugs, alcohol and hand held weapons of mass destruction) but in this case the moderator has made an exception
"A large tri colour hound type dog wearing a collar has been handed into
the BARK kennels Thursday Morning. We understand he was seen running
around Chirnside last night. He was picked up on the Chirnside Duns
Road near Briery Mill.
Please contact BARK if you have any information on 01289 306299"
And if you can't claim the dog for goodness sake offer a large tent, marquee or gazebo. You know it makes sense
(If you put 'hound dog' into Flickr out pops hundreds of images. This is one of them and may not bear any resemblance to the one chez BARK )
Labels: Berwickshire Freecycle, Elvis Presley, Low Flying Merse, Silly dogs
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Come and Get It
'I'm looking for some beauty therapy type equipment. therapy couch covers, face hole covers, bolster cushions, thick bath sheet towels (in good nick), chair/stool etc'
writes 'Overrunwithrabbits'
And she is also looking for 125cc motor bike (must work) and presumably some where to put it:
So
Large Tent, Marquee or Gazebo : 'any of these would be much appreciated' she adds
Yes this is Berwickshire Freecycle-All Human life is there-free. You want? You collect. After making use of it (offering in my case, anything from carpet backing through leather pouffes to rather old golf balls) I can affirm it is certainly more fun than getting in a house clearer
Seem people do tend to push their luck. One guy wanted a motor caravan. 'I know its a long shot' he pleaded
But he got one.
That day.
BerwickshireFreecycle@yahoogroups.com
Enjoy
(The image via Flick is from West Sussex Party Marquees-a bit away from Berwickshire and probably not free. Worth inquiring Overrunwithrabbits?)
Labels: Berwickshire Freecycle, Marquees
Monday, May 12, 2008
Berwickshire Freecycle. Come and Get It! R-e-s-p-e-ct-f-u-l-l-y
I don't know how we could have ever managed our move out of the Old Manse to the Small House in Duns without the marvellous Free cycle network. Broken Motor Mower, rotting carpet liner, children's toys, past their normal playtime date, model cars mostly wheel less, excess unattractive carpet,ancient leather pouffe, Computer tower, odd glasses-some very odd, miscellaneous picnic stuff with extra Wadi Rum sand. Once advertised on Freecycle they are usually taken away by some kind person within twenty four hours.
The rules are straight forward . To quote from the world wide freecycle blurb (obviously geared to the Transatlantic market Created in Arizona in 2003, apparently):
KEEP IT FREE, LEGAL & APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES. This means, for example, no Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms or Drugs, legal or otherwise. Two strikes and you're outta the group.
This is our main Freecycle rule to live by and it's a pretty easy one at that. No
advertising your yard sale, though, as you're looking for money and that isn't free...
SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR POSTS. Use these phrases to make it easy for others to delete
or view:
OFFER: loveseat, downtown. [Offering more than 1 thing? Still keep it in 1 e-mail,
please]
TAKEN: loveseat
WANTED: loveseat, any condition. [Please use this sparingly and don't offer money.]
2d above all else, don't ask for an extravagant item like a TOTR laptop, new car,
brand new computer etc, which we'd all like to have or the strike rule will kick in
- see #1 above. ]
3) PLEASE DO NOT POST THE SAME "WANTED" POSTING MORE THAN ONCE A MONTH.
4) NO POLITICS, NO SPAM, NO MONEY, NO PERSONAL ATTACKS/RUDENESS, NO
PROSELYTIZING/RELIGION. It's all about R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Two strikes & you're out, i.e.
you will be unsubscribed by the moderator after two inappropriate postings.
So far Huttonian has survived strike free. But it is not always gratitude that you will get for your open handed generosity. The lady who snapped up the non working lawn mower was indignant that the grass box was missing.The pouffe was criticised as being too big-but they took it none the less.
Despite the two strike warning about pushing your luck we do have one or two chancers around-they usually begin their post : I know its a long shot....but anyone with a spare motor caravan they are not using....offering Stradivarius violin-almost new. I jest, slightly And as I write the latest wanted posts include a 1250 cc motor bike and a horse box -http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BerwickshireFreecycle/ . Lots of optimists out there
No love seats that I have seen but some people seem to have an endless supply of massage benches.
(I am not sure if Fickr devotees really know what a love seat looks like-this image is said to be of one but perhaps more suitable for a couple who have just had a flaming row)
Labels: Berwickshire Freecycle, Moving house
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Hang Out (one less) Flags
Wind howling outside, can't sleep, 2am, metcheck and BBC Blether Centre agree on 'possible disruption' so nothing for it but a cup of organic Rooibus and a look at Berwickshire Freecycle. Amidst 'Computer wanted Berwick area' and 'offered concrete slabs Duns' there is one intriguing entry 'Wanted German Flag. (Modern)'
But why? Bayern Munich to play Hawick at Rugby Sevens? Expat German in need of security blanket? School Play 'Escape from Stalag XIV' No-modern German Flag please. Swastika owners need not apply. Too sleepy to boggle further. Perhaps more light will be thrown later:' Received German Flag. Now have full pole. Thankyou Flagless of Foulden' Or something.
Continue scanning the offerings: ' Large Saltire. Never used. Owner leaving Berwick'
Nice thought, that
Labels: Berwickshire Freecycle, German Flag, Saltire
