I look down my street and I see on both sides houses built in Edwardian times, with tradesmen calling at the back door.

We have the back alleys to prove it.

Today, buy-to-let landlords have moved in and converted family homes into flats with people coming and going and exorbitant rents.

But there's a hard core of owners, and we are not moving.

I've met so many good people who have had to move on. I remember each one of them and wish they could have stayed.

I like people, but you are always going to get those that only live for themselves and don't mind who they upset. They have no sense of belonging, but down our street there is a hardcore of people who do belong.

We have put all our cash into our houses. After a lifetime's work sometimes all you have is your home.

I don't know anything about my neighbours' business or concerns, and I don't want to know. I've got enough problems of my own, though I welcome a sign of recognition, a smile, a wave or a hello.

We meet on the street and smile, talk and swap jokes. That's what life is all about.

Ralph Walker
Holland Road
Westcliff