Much as I admired the calm common sense of the WPC who took no nonsense from some ‘offended Moslems’ in the East End:
Offended by a Christian preacher. Called the police. Literally cannot get it into their heads that in England it is not a crime to say something they might not like about the religion of Islam. Well done to the police officer. pic.twitter.com/PsC9SvDAdQ
— Patrick Christys (@PatrickChristys) February 20, 2026
I admit to being severely torn by the freedom of others to do things that they want to and yet which interfere with my own personal peace, quiet or otherwise impede my right to go about my business physically and mentally unhindered.
Call me Mr. Misery by all means, BUT in the street:
I do not like to see or hear anyone from any Faith or Denomination, preaching, shouting or using voice amplifiers (nor indeed the loud public singing or playing of happy-clappy religious songs with the possible exception of Traditional Christmas Carols, but naturally only on Christmas Eve and certainly not murdered by ‘adorable’ whiny-voiced amateur children’s ‘choirs’).
I do not like political or ‘socially-aware’ demonstrations, with or without free or saleable news-sheets, placards and chants, by any group or for any cause whatsoever. I don’t like sit-ins blocking public facilities, glueing hands to things or tokenistic vandalism. Surprisingly though, I don’t mind individual older ladies silently praying (other ages and the other sex are also OK with me as I’m clearly not a bigot!) outside abortion clinics or anywhere else they might fancy.
I do not like Charity Muggers or even traditional, but now lesser seen, charity flag-day or poppy sellers.
I do not like street musicians playing instruments or singing, because many are often embarrassingly talentless.
I do not like free public ‘performance art’ or circus-type ‘entertainments’.
I do not like opportunistic sellers of themed tat, e.g. balloons, flags etc. at times when they see a quick buck can be made from the gullible and their ever demanding children.
I do not like ‘special events’ for dubious minority causes, Council initiated bogus celebrations and parades, the closing off of parts of the public domain for ticket-holder only events.
Whilst on a roll, so to speak, I also don’t like to see litter or fly dumping; discarded chewing gum makes me physically retch. I don’t like to see vandalised or long abandoned unkempt buildings in prominent positions. Closed public toilets are an open invitation to wee in public. Advertising hoardings, tacky shop window posters and all graffiti (especially ‘tags’) even if supposedly ‘street art’ are all visually depressing to me. Drug addicts, paralytic drunks, mentally unstable people botherers, professional beggars, suspicious looking huddles of illegal immigrants, non-disabled fat lazy people in powered mobility devices, and people oblivious to anything except their mobile ‘phone screens or listening to music on oversized headphones or earbuds, that still emit noise, are all a nuisance. Did I mention that I also don’t like to see potholes or badly maintained uneven pavements, rampant weeds especially invasive and damaging buddleja, unnecessary safety barriers, pointless bollards and overkill signage, uncared for flowerbeds, overgrown or bald grass verges, ‘desire lines’ worn across anything, windswept unused and unloved forlorn play areas and pointless ‘parklets’?
I think you get the idea and, thanks, I do feel much better for getting all that off my chest (until I go out again at least).
Martin Rispin has had a career in many different sectors, most lately in the fields of English Tourism and Heritage based Urban Regeneration. He now lives, retired, in Kingston upon Hull.
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All part of growing up in our traditional culture…People travel sometimes thousands of miles to
other countries, to mingle and converse…Abiding by local laws and customs…What could go wrong. when other cultures return the compliment..?
Here in Hull we also gave a situation where many central streets are dug up and closed for several weeks purely to insert an untested new heating system for Council Offices only. Lots of equipment, barriers and a few workmen – they completely ignore the many historic potholes aside their workings, despite having the opportunity to fill these in at the same time. To HCC a ‘green’ heating system for themselves is far more important than safety for nasty, selfish private motorists who should (unless senior HCC Officers) be using the bus. BTW it’s a LibDem Council but Labour here are no different and they alternate with each other.
I definitely agree about the “Charity Muggers”. Having made the mistake of stopping when one of them approached me a couple of weeks ago, I had a rather unpleasant encounter when I declined his invitation to sign up to make a regular donation via my bank account. I explained that I would not commit to anything like that in a public place, and without knowing more. Eventually, in an effort to get away, I offered to take one of his glossy leaflets to study but he replied that there was no point since I couldn’t afford £5 a month – the figure he had suggested I might like to sign up to donate. I couldn’t believe it. So, yes, these Charity collection people are a real nuisance. And, as far as I know, they are paid for their “muggings” – it’s not a voluntary act of “charity” on their part, although I’m willing to be corrected on that if I’m wrong.
I don’t mind the music in the streets – sometimes can be very entertaining, as can the street preachers! So, I’m not in agreement with the author on everything – although it was a very interesting read.
Yes Charity Muggers do get paid, and as far as I’m aware have nothing else to do with the actual ‘charity’ concerned. It’s a mystery though why they persist in towns and cities where people aren’t affluent, or daft enough, to sign up in the street for a year long commitment of £60.
Occasionally street musicians can be talented, unfortunately though most are the sad ‘talent’ show wannabees.
I’m surprised you are entertained by any street Preachers, as they are never ever Catholics – do I detect the sin of Pride (in your Catholic Faith certainty) surely not!
Ha ha! Well, I shouldn’t really say “entertained” – probably “touched” would be better. They always appear to be kind, well-meaning souls, zealous in approaching and chatting to people, so, not from any wrong kind of “pride” in my own Faith (I hope) I always wish I had the time to engage in conversation with them, but I’m nearly always rushing somewhere. Or, more accurately, since at my age I don’t really DO “rushing”, I’m usually limited in the time available – at least if I want to fit in that cuppa before heading back for my bus. Worldly, or what, Nathaniel?
The ones we occasionally get are either shouty, very dogmatic (self-appointed preacher) nonconformists or the types who are clearly ‘a sandwich short of a picnic’. You’d probably steer well clear!
I can think of people who would describe me as “very dogmatic” and “a [few] sandwiches short of a picnic” – so I’m bowing out now, LOL!
But you’d have the good grace not to stand spouting religion in public (I hope) which makes dogmatism and deficient picnics OK with me.
Or, put another way, I’d lack the courage to stand up in public to share my beliefs. I just might make up a sandwich board and take to town tomorrow for an hour or two… which reminds me, speaking/writing of sandwiches:
I’m probably not just “a few sandwiches short of a picnic” (as “they” say) but a few bricks short of a bungalow! I’m not a fan of picnics, so that doesn’t bother me, but I do love bungalows, so that hurts!