Am I the only one who was shocked to read that apparently, one third of us doesn't recognise our neighbours?
Then again, maybe that's not such a bad thing...
I have to say that over the years, I've had some brilliant neighbours. My very favourites were called Maud and Arthur Hammond. Within a few months of us moving into their road in Harrow Weald, they invited me and my sister to call them uncle and aunt. Their only grandchild was in the States, which was a very long way off in those days, so they saw us as substitute grandchildren. We spent many a happy Saturday morning making fudge in their kitchen or listening to Uncle Arthur's wonderful stories about life in the navy many years earlier.
When Aunt Maud had to go into a home, we would push her round the grounds in her wheelchair. All these years later, I still desperately miss them. Yet at the same time, I feel we 'were put' next door to each other, if that doesn't sound too weird! They needed on-the-spot grandchildren and we needed grandparents...
Then there was the lovely couple who lived next door when my first husband and I were newly weds. We were both out at work all day and they had taken early retirement. One day, they asked if we'd mind if they tackled our jungle. We were delighted (I'm the kiss of death where plants are concerned).
But it wasn't until I turned freelance and had more time, that I realised - to my embarrassment - that our neglected garden must have been a real eyesore to our neighbours. How nice of them, therefore, to pretend we were doing them a favour by allowing them to pick up a trowel. It could, so easily, have led to an unneighbourly dispute...
But my prize for Most Helpful Neighbour Ever, has to go to the people next door, when I found myself starting again as a single mum. I took on a new job (as writer in residence of a high security prison) and had to leave the house at 7am. This was a real problem as my then-15 year old, was on a different time clock and, despite duvet tussles, was unable to get him up for school, before leaving. Then a kindly couple in my road , whose own children had just flown the nest, offered to step in...
Now my life is more settled, I hope to spread the favour by helping those around me. Although my newish husband and I have only been in our new town for a short time, we already know most of the people in our street - partly because we threw a huge party last Christmas and invited everyone. It's a great way to meet your neighbours. In fact, I've already found myself offering to granny-sit!
What experience have you had with your neighbours? Good or bad? Please write and tell me and you could win a prize. Email me at janeyfraser [at] gmail.com
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