Dear LPG, 

I was reading your post which was dated 06 Jul 2018 and called ‘Neighbours, Please Look Out For Each Other’. (►►►)  and  I know that it has been said before, but as we get older it is really important that we make friends with our neighbours. 

I live alone and have quite a big family and I know that I am not unique in that respect.  Over the years our younger family members have found it a little easier to find better and cheaper housing outside London and all of my children have moved miles out over the years.

One of my sons has moved to Medway, some 28 miles away.  He tells me that there is arguably less violence when you get out of the capital, the air is cleaner and commuting to work takes a lot less time than it did last century.   I suppose that all the young ones have transport these days as well, which means that getting from one part of the country to another takes less time, mile for mile. 

I will always remember when he was about to move so far away.  I told him that he would be leaving me, but he told me that I was just down the motorway and he could be back before I knew it if there was a problem.  During the winters I see them less often than ever now, and I cannot help but worry when it is really cold and they come to visit.   I really worry about them driving in the snow and frost. It is hazardous even when you are walking.

Neighbours, on the other hand, are a lot closer if you have a crisis.  So I would like to remind readers of the advantages of getting to know them.  I don’t think that I am unusual when I say that I have lived in my home for over thirty years, and during that time I have seen them come and go, but introducing yourself and trying to get a little more acquainted, so that you can have a little chat over the garden fence during the summer evenings, stands you in good stead if you live alone and find that you need a little help.  It is also good to be able to offer a little help every now and then too.

JK, Woolwich