You are so right Lizzie. Some people do live in a cocoon.
It's true what you say about houses being refurbished only to be trashed.
I remember saying a long time back here on the forum, about some council house gardens being an absolute tip. (not all I hasten to add - some people have their gardens lovely) .. but there are many who treat their gardens no better than patch of dirt full of rubbish. I don't think they deserve to have a garden when there are people living in houses with just a back yard that would give their right arm for a garden. Once again it comes down to pride and not whether you have the means to make a garden nice - anyone, even the poorest can be tidy and clean.



They were saying on last nights programme that one of the original rules for tenants was that they must upkeep their gardens. But I'm afraid that these days people are a law unto themselves and won't be told nothing.