Wish you were here...? Not with such a bad smell in city
A distinct country smell has drifted across the city this week leading scores of residents to complain, with one even declaring it a “terrible advert” to Bath’s many visitors. Michael Franklin-harris, of Upper Lansdown Mews, said he had been living with a “really bad” stench on both Monday and Tuesday this week. He said: “We’ve been affected badly on Monday (August 20) and Tuesday (August 21). “Everybody you speak to can smell it. All of the neighbours have been asking what it is. “My God it’s pungent! I mean it’s terrible, it really is bad.” Mr Franklin-harris is concerned about what international visitors to Bath must think of the city this week. “It’s also a terrible advert for tourists from all over the world coming to Bath,” he said. “We’re a tourist town and this is a terrible impression to give. “And it doesn’t do our quality of life any good either. I’ve never known anything like it.” There are various theories about what’s causing the unpleasant odour. But Mr Franklin-harris was in no doubt that it’s slurry or manure. He believes if a local farmer is responsible, they should have to pay the price. He was also disappointed after phoning Bath and North East Somerset Council. Mr Franklin-harris says council staff told him over the phone they were aware of the smell but could do little about it.
Smell theories
Pig slurry “Most likely caused by Pig Slurry!,” user Baffman wrote on our website. “Was really pungent a few weeks ago in the hot weather, drifting in from Newton and Corston. Happens around the same every year and has been going on for years. “Takes on the odour of plasticine after a while. The current more organic odour is probably from cattle manure. I’d much rather have animal waste products sprayed or ploughed back into the fields than artificial chemical fertilizers.” ‘That time of year’ “The town is surrounded by farming land and it’s that time of year,” David Ward wrote on the Bath Live Facebook page. “Just getting ready for autumn planting for a good crop next year hopefully.” ‘Perfectly natural’ “This is the sort of thing that happens every year, just like autumn, winters storms etc,” Daeldus wrote. “It is all part of living in or near the countryside and is perfectly natural - unlike the vehicle pollution on the London Road etc. “Just breathe deeply and enjoy life, people.” ...or not? “It’s hardly ‘perfectly natural,’” responded Sparkyboy. “Muckspreading is an artificial man-made process. Storing manure in huge vats for months and then spraying the stinking mess onto a field. How is that natural?” He added: “It is a myth propagated by the advertising industry that ‘natural’ products or processes should always be welcomed. “Often they are neither ‘natural’ nor beneficial.”