Shouting, swearing and intimidation are among the charges being levelled by some residents of Victoria Place in Douglas, at what they describe as a neighbour from hell.
However, the allegations are directed not at a sink estate family but one of the island’s leading caring charities, the Samaritans.
The charity offers a vital service for those needing counselling and support and has operated in the Isle of Man since the 1970s. It has parking for around six cars beside its premises in Victoria Place, a narrow cul-de-sac with no turning circle, and the disagreements have stemmed from what the charity considers to be inconsiderate parking.
Phil Cowin, who runs a garage business next door to the charity described the problem: ‘I personally wouldn’t park there but occasionally customers do. They see the sign and think they will be all right with the Samaritans.
‘Recently I have had two customers who have been totally shocked at the attitude simply for parking one car which is not blocking any access and not taking up any space that is needed by someone else. There is someone here at the garage every day and as soon as I know, I move it immediately. It’s just petty and they have been getting really nasty about it lately. I accept it is their land and it is a private car park for use of volunteers on duty.’
He said historically they had enjoyed a good and tolerant relationship but for some reason this had changed.
Daniel Jopson, another neighbour, described similar problems and said traffic wardens had been called to his house on the pretext that his van - parked directly in front of the house - was causing an obstruction.
‘Most of the time there is plenty of space there. It’s not as if someone is taking up space that they need,’ he said.
‘My dad gave them free storage a few years ago and Phil has a right of access over that car park which he does not exercise - which gives them two extra spaces anyway. People leave a car there and it gets plastered with notices and sometimes they have blocked a car in. My mum who was recovering from cancer parked there for 15 minutes and got shouted and sworn at.’
A former Samaritans volunteer who asked not to be named said she feared their good name was being dragged through the mud principally by the behaviour of one person.
‘There was a major incident involving one of their neighbours who was virtually reduced to tears. I’ve never seen a man so upset,’ she said.
‘It’s un-neighbourly, uncharitable and unkind. Neighbours are talking to their friends and as a result the organisation is in danger of losing its good reputation. We have formed a committee of ex Samaritans and we have sent letters to the head office because we are so concerned at the reputation being dragged through the mud.’
A Samaritans’ spokesman said: ‘Isle of Man Samaritans has been offering support to people struggling to cope since 1979. As well as at the branch, we offer our service to the local community in schools and in the prison.
‘We need to make sure vulnerable people visiting our branch for face-to-face support are able to park our car park at all times, not to mention our selfless volunteers arriving at all times for their shift at the branch. Samaritans is the life line for our callers and, as we know, a missed call is no big deal unless it’s to our service.
‘We’d like to remind anyone needing support to contact Samaritans, round the clock every single day of the year. Please call 663399 or visit us at the branch at 5 Victoria Place, Douglas, Isle of Man.’