Hardworking staff at one of Lancashire's most popular ‘pick your own’ pumpkin patches were 'spat at, verbally abused, and squared up to' this weekend by angry customers.

It was forced to close due to people parking dangerously on the busy A5147 between Maghull and Scarisbrick; these were the scenes late yesterday afternoon at Pumpkin Alley, off Delf Lane, Downholland. It had to shut early on Sunday afternoon after the car park became full and visitors 'ignored attendants' and left their vehicles on the busy A road.

Staff at the facility thought it was too dangerous for pedestrians, especially children, so called it a day and shut down the patch, leading to an angry response from some visitors with staff being verbally abused.

A FB statement from Pumpkin Alley on Sunday read: “We are saddened by the abuse that our staff faced.

"We have been spat at, verbally abused, and squared up to.

“We closed the patch because people were ignoring our car park attendants' instructions and parking dangerously along a bendy, main road, not only endangering themselves and their children, but other road users.

"Our second patch also faced similar problems. We understand children are disappointed when they can’t pick pumpkins, and our aim is not to disappoint them.

“We do however aim to keep your children safe, and if that means closing our patch and losing money then that's what has to happen.

"Safety before profits, always.

“We know some people still pulled up and tried to come on, but closed signs were up and people were told.

“Don’t worry about what other people do, if you did the right thing and left when asked then we appreciate that very much.”

We seem to have a new breed of 'entitled' morons in this country.

"I WANT a pumpkin!"

"I DON'T WANT to wear a mask"

"I WANT 87 packs of toilet rolls"

"I WANT to go down the pub with my mates"

What more proof does anyone want that breeding should be strictly controlled. The vendors should have called the Police as there would be a lot of fines and points on licences for morons parked illegally.

Originally Posted by Little Londoner

What more proof does anyone want that breeding should be strictly controlled. The vendors should have called the Police as there would be a lot of fines and points on licences for morons parked illegally.

It is more than possible that people were not familiar with the area. Since this particular item is in great demand at this time of the year - would it not be too far fetched to expect the growers to have considered that there may be parking problems and prepared for it? The growers are aware of the area - visitors are not.

Originally Posted by said

It is more than possible that people were not familiar with the area. Since this particular item is in great demand at this time of the year - would it not be too far fetched to expect the growers to have considered that there may be parking problems and prepared for it? The growers are aware of the area - visitors are not.

What a ridiculous comment.

Parking dangerously is the same anywhere you do it.

"Oh, I wasn't familiar with that particular sharp bend, so I think the site owners should have put up signs advising me how to be a considerate motorist".

Originally Posted by said

It is more than possible that people were not familiar with the area. Since this particular item is in great demand at this time of the year - would it not be too far fetched to expect the growers to have considered that there may be parking problems and prepared for it? The growers are aware of the area - visitors are not.

Equally, customers should take the same precautions you advocate for the growers.

A Pumpkin is not an essential purchase and if you encounter problems or see that your actions might cause them then leave.

What's wrong with these people? It's a pumpkin for goodness sake!
Behaving like that in front of their children no wonder they carry it on.

Breeding should be strictly controlled? What!
It'll be eugenics next.

Originally Posted by said

It is more than possible that people were not familiar with the area. Since this particular item is in great demand at this time of the year - would it not be too far fetched to expect the growers to have considered that there may be parking problems and prepared for it? The growers are aware of the area - visitors are not.

Solid white lines in the centre of the road mean the same all over this country and parking there is causing an obstruction and forcing other drivers to break the law to pass the parked cars.
I am not advocating selective breeding merely proving that some people breed like for like and by their actions there is a very good chance their offspring will end up as barmy as them with the same couldn't care less attitude.

Originally Posted by Little Londoner

Solid white lines in the centre of the road mean the same all over this country and parking there is causing an obstruction and forcing other drivers to break the law to pass the parked cars.
I am not advocating selective breeding merely proving that some people breed like for like and by their actions there is a very good chance their offspring will end up as barmy as them with the same couldn't care less attitude.

It's not an offence to cross a solid white line to pass stationary vehicles, so, fortunately, other drivers would not be committing any offences.

Those that have parked there are committing the offence of leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position or where it causes unnecessary obstruction. 3 points, up to £1000 fine would be a good 'educational tool' in this case (as an added bonus, the vehicles could be towed and impound charges.....)

Originally Posted by said

It is more than possible that people were not familiar with the area. Since this particular item is in great demand at this time of the year - would it not be too far fetched to expect the growers to have considered that there may be parking problems and prepared for it? The growers are aware of the area - visitors are not.

Do you get up extra early to practice being a buffoon, as there's no way that's all natural talent!

As others have said, regardless of whether you're local or not, it's common sense not to park in a dangerous position!

Originally Posted by said

It is more than possible that people were not familiar with the area. Since this particular item is in great demand at this time of the year - would it not be too far fetched to expect the growers to have considered that there may be parking problems and prepared for it? The growers are aware of the area - visitors are not.

The growers had problems due to the amount of rainfall which restricted the use of any "overflow" parking, do you think the growers can somehow control the weather?

If there isn't room to park safely, don't park, simple really, but of course there are far too many who believe their every wish should be met.