Thank you to Colin B for sending in this blog.
I read with interest Mike A’s recommendation for his new aerial. The picture on Mike’s TV screen may have improved, but the picture from our window certainly hasn’t !!! Without wanting to initiate a neighbourly dispute, I attach a photo of the aforementioned aerial taken this morning from our garden.
No aerial, certainly including mine, could be said to be a thing of beauty but this one being both larger and a couple of metres higher than those on the adjoining houses does rather catch the eye. The passage of time and soot from the chimney will, I am sure lessen the impact of this installation. I have been receiving digital TV for at least 4 years with a smaller aerial pointing in a different direction, albeit from a higher elevation.
I find it rather ironic that I believe is is possible to erect such a thing without any sort of permission, yet to mount a discrete, black, round, binlid-sized piece of space age technology requires planning permission for those of us in listed buildings in conservation areas. I have heard that this permission has been previously refused. I understand that the new ‘freesat’ service achieves or shortly will achieve much better reception and more channels on digital TV than even the largest aerial in our locality.
Colin, we can only whole-heartedly apologise. I have e-mailed you privately, with a view to resolving the situation as soon as possible.
Mike, please do not worry, I wasn’t going to say anything about it, but after you posted such a glowing recommendation, I rather mischievously felt the need to show ‘other view’ of aerials. Our aerial is equally hideous. What I did want to raise is the point that the new ‘freesat’ service may have both improved reception and aesthetic advantages and perhaps this needs investigating before a forest of these things appear. The antiquated planning procedures may also need to be revised.
Meanwhile, enjoy all those marvellous shopping channels you can now receive! I can also recommend the ‘Dave’ channel.
Colin B
A suggestion, which might or might not be possible or desirable in your circumstances: Short Tony (next door) and I have both put our satellite dishes on our sheds so they don’t deface our nice brick and flint cottages.
All it takes is a bit of extra wire and a cheerful and flexible installation man.
This being Norfolk, we don’t get Freeview and our local news is from Yorkshire, so Sky Freesat was the answer. My solution has the additional advantage of providing a TV point in the shed, should I wish to watch television therein.
Digital telivision! It’s been available at Rathbone Croft via Sutton Coldfield with an ordinary VHF ariel for about 9-10 years.
Colin, you will doubtless already have noticed that our ever-cheerful and co-operative aerial man has lowered the mast height to a more aesthetically neutral level.
Should any signal strength problems interfere with our enjoyment of the shopping channels in the future, I trust that we shall be able to count upon your hospitality in times of need – especially bearing in mind the scarcity of Diamonique® products in rural areas.
Alternatively, perhaps a temporary easement could be granted across your premises, in order to facilitate the erection of a suitably discreet periscope system..?
Wow, I came back from holiday and found that the aerial had shrunk. I have even had to cut my hedge so I can see it in all its glory. I really didn’t mean to put you to so much trouble. I hope your picture is not too pixelated.