HENDERSON GNOME CUSTODY BATTLE ENTERS THIRD WEEK, KEITH REMAINS NEUTRAL
Two families, one fishing rod, one Facebook post that should've been left alone.
A garden gnome named Keith is at the centre of a fence-line dispute between two Henderson families, with both sides claiming ownership and neither willing to back down.
The Patel-Wickham household on Sturges Road say Keith has lived under their hydrangea for years. The Coughlans, three doors down, say Keith went missing from their letterbox in 2019 and they spotted him in a community Facebook post last month.
"He's got a chip on his left boot from when my brother kicked him off the deck," said Siobhan Coughlan, 34. "That's our chip. I don't care how many hydrangeas he's been under since."
Meera Patel-Wickham said the Coughlans were having a laugh. She produced a 2021 Christmas card with Keith in it, wearing a small tinsel scarf. The Coughlans countered that the scarf was "clearly not consensual" and demanded a receipt.
A neighbour, Rangi from across the road, told The Daily Yarn the whole street was over it. "Someone nicked my actual letterbox in August. Not a peep then. Now it's gnome court." Police confirmed they were called once, declined to attend, and suggested mediation "or honestly, just buy another gnome."
Keith is being held at a third neighbour's place pending a meeting on Sunday. That neighbour has started charging board.
Know someone this is about? Send it to them.
Spotted something like this in your area?
Send us a photo and a sentence. We'll write the article.
SUBMIT A YARN →Free. Anonymous if you want. Takes 60 seconds.
Reader Letters
Rangi_From_Opposite
Honestly, just put Keith back where he was and be done with it. Why is being a grown-up so hard for some people?
Margaret_M
Back in my day, garden ornaments stayed where they were put. If someone swiped one, they’d bring it back with a pint of paint as an apology. Simple.
couchpotato69
No one's asking the real question - why does Keith have a fishing rod and not a real job?
Siobhan_Fan_85
@couchpotato69 maybe Keith’s just living his best life, fishing away from all the drama. Can't blame him really.
HendersonExpert123
Actually, according to gnome law - yes, it's a thing - whoever last moved the gnome owns it. So whoever placed him under the hydrangea should technically be the owner. Look it up.
FedUp_Fiona
Council should step in and sort this mess. It’s gnomes today, next it'll be flamingos and fake ducks causing neighbourhood wars.