When approaching your neighbour be calm and polite. Do not use threatening behaviour, as this will not help the problem.
Explain to them that the smoke is entering your home and disturbing your family and tell them how and when you are being disturbed.
Invite them to come inside your home or garden to smell the smoke, so that they know that the problem is real and that you are not imagining it.
Experience shows that often people do not realise that their activities are affecting other people and your neighbours may at first be embarrassed when you speak to them about it. They may try to hide their embarrassment by denying that there is a problem.
Remember that you are trying to find a solution for the future that both you and your neighbours can live with. Do not put too much of your efforts into raising problems of the past.
The purpose of talking to your neighbours is not to extract a confession from them! A polite and friendly approach is most likely to achieve the peace and quiet that you want, without either of you losing face.
The bonfire may be a one-off occasion to clear greenery or it may be a regular occurrence. Suggest to your neighbour that if they have to burn it in the evening could it be after 9 pm, which may reduce the effect on you.
Alternatively, you could discuss other ways of disposing of the waste such as composting, or taking it to a local civic amenity site.
Click on these links for more details about composting and Bournemouth's civic amenity site.
Should talking with your neighbour not resolve the problem, or you feel unable to approach your neighbour, you could write to them.
Specimen Smoke Letter (52Kb) PDF.
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