Elderly man banned from sailing model boat in pond in case it scares the ducks

82-year-old Nev Cooper loves boats. As a former RAF man, he has much experience with them and so spent six months building a 2ft replica of a British Vosper RAF crash boat. He wanted to christen it with a maiden voyage in the pond of his native Bottlesford in Wiltshire. But the boat immediately encountered an enemy - Urchfont Parish Council, who forbid its watery operation for fear of scaring the ducks.
The ducks live in Duckingham Palace, which cost £10,000 and was paid for by a housing developer. The boat's electric motor would throw them out of harmony, apparently. Nev got approval to launch his boat from local 'duck lady' Elaine Bancroft (as long as she was present). But two hours later he received a call from the parish council who said Ms Bancroft did not have the authority to give him approval and he needed their permission too.
And they said no. Nev told them he might sail his boat anyway. They sent him a stiff letter: "We accept that this is not enforceable by law but felt you would understand our position and act accordingly and reasonably. I am very disappointed with your attitude to our considered opinion." Councillor Trevor Hill backed the ban and said: "A lot of people spend a lot of time looking after the ducks and the pond.
"The general opinion was that they could disrupt the 15 or 20 ducks and geese in the pond and it wouldn't be in keeping with their general welfare." He added that if children wanted to sail their smaller toy boats in the pond there would be no problem. Urchfont's treasured ducks moved into their 'Duckingham Palace' luxury home in March. The architect-designed dwelling is the size of an average garage with separate entrances and accommodation for the ducks and the goose and an integral grain store.