We need more eccentrics (inspired by Jim's Trolls thread)

[Highmac]

Perhaps not quite in the same class, but it reminded me of the American in Oxford who had a 25ft shark sticking out of the roof of his home, a modest terraced house. After a very long battle with the city council, he won his battle to keep the sculpture. The story is told in detail on Wikipedia and, speaking of eccentricity, it is available in Latin.


The shark was commissioned by Bill Heine, who had studied law at Oxford, and made by sculptor John Buckley.


Bill was not averse to rattle politicians. He ran a small cinema called the Moulin Rouge and had a huge pair of can-can legs on top of the building. Council said it was an advert that did not have permission and ordered it to be removed. He got over that by changing the cinema's name to Not The Moulin Rouge, so the legs were not advertising anything. He won that one too.


I got to meet him when I was selling a rather rusty old Mini that seemed to suit him. In his column in a local paper, he remarked that I seemed over-keen to point out the car's failings. He bought it anyway. 


Don't you just love the occasional rebel? 


For anyone who wants to get a detailed report of the legal shenanigans, this is page in the local history magazine

[Xairbusdriver]

Sounds like some stories coming from "Home Owners Associations". These 'organizations' are often created in 'covenants' written by 'developers' of housing areas. One 'owner' wants to sell all of the lots as easily as possible and that means possible development of CCC*!

These covenants may specify the 'style' of all houses ("Traditional", single-story, brick siding, etc.). They may specify a minimum square footage. "We donneadno stinkintiny houzes!" Most will require plan approval, by the developer, before building can commence. Other details may be included in these 'promises-to-play-nice' documents:
• Mail boxes must be built from the same materials as the house.
• No vents/pipes/antennae on front-facing roofs.
• Windows must be wood-framed sashes (who cares about energy wasting...).
• No individual flag poles.
• • • •

Most of the time, these 'covenants' become the property of the home owners once a certain percentage of the lots are sold. It may or may not be even remembered by the future home owners... except when Mr. & Mrs. Karen buy one of the homes...

inspired by Jim's Trolls thread

I RESEMBLE RESENT BEING CALLED A FORUM TROLL!!!

* Cookie-Cutter Cancer

[Frances144]

The whole of Shetland is full of rebels.

Concrete sofa in a field

An airplane parked outside their house in the middle of a hill.

I could think of more probably!

Oh yes, that woman who keeps sheep in her sitting room and a duck under her stairs (well, he was cold)

Fx

[Highmac]

... and a duck under her stairs (well, he was cold)

Fx

There's no doubt your heart has always been in the right place... 


A shot of the aircraft is on Flickr - https://www.flickr.com/photos/mthird3rdaviation/2592703178

It suffered a wheels-up landing at Sumburgh in March 1981 and remained at the airport for the next 24 years. The aircraft was rescued from the scrapman when Sumburgh's runway was being extended and now lives in a private garden.

[Frances144]

I met the man who had the aircraft (works for SEE and came to check when ponies got lightning'ed).  We had a long chat about it. Eccentric, but very nice and knowledgable.

[Frances144]

Concrete sofa for those that want one!

[Frances144]

boat as a roof on a shed.  Everywhere here!

[kimmer]

Oh yes, that woman who keeps sheep in her sitting room and a duck under her stairs (well, he was cold)

I don't see anything wrong with this woman. ❤️

Concrete sofa for those that want one!

I love the concrete sofa!!! I'd put one in my backyard.

[Xairbusdriver]

I belong to a group of model railroaders and we have a huge layout that includes several "duck unders"!