Last weekend to beat hedge and douit deadline

The first checks by officials will be on Monday evening so householders are urged to take advantage of this weekend's fine weather to complete these twice-yearly tasks. And please note that cuttings, again by law, have to be cleaned up immediately.

While "hedges and douits" can be seen as a chore, keeping them cut back and free running is an essential part of being a good neighbour. As Guernsey Water says, "Keeping the island’s streams free flowing helps in more ways than one. It means that we are able to more effectively capture water for storage when it is needed, and it helps to reduce the risk of flooding during periods of heavy rain."

In a recent Facebook post it added, "A shout out to the Parish Douzaines here too, who diligently carry out streams inspections following the deadlines to keep everything flowing as it should."

Vital
Keeping hedges and embankments trimmed is also vital so that people, pedestrians and cyclists have full access to pavements and thoroughfares, especially at dusk or at night, and so that road signs aren't obscured.

The reason the Constables and the Douzaine inspect the hedges and report on their state to the Parish Office is to comply with the Cutting of Hedges Ordinances and the Parochial Administration Ordinance 2017, under which they have to give notice to the owners of land bordering public roads that they are required to cut and trim the hedges as directed above.

• Failure to comply with the legislation will incur a civil penalty of £50 plus an additional fine of £5 per day in which the failure continues – which is why we keep reminding you so you don't get caught out!