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This England

Noise pollution

They had nothing else to do and nowhere to go, so for hours at a time they would gather on benches beneath a tree in the middle of their estate in south-east London.

Neighbours complained of noise and nuisance and the local housing association proposed to disperse the gang by removing the benches. In response, the "troublemakers" pointed out that they are all pensioners, they are mostly teetotal, and long conversations about the Blitz could not possibly amount to antisocial behaviour.

Ann Reddy, 69, a retired medical secretary, admitted that "most of us have sticks", but added: "We need them to walk."

Julie Schoon, of the housing association, said: "As a registered social landlord, we are responsible for ensuring that any complaints of nuisance are acted upon."

Times (F Harvey)

Lifting the spirits

With the news full of government sleaze, the financial crisis, and the world's general rottenness, to open the Daily Telegraph twice in a week and see the smiling face of the Queen, doing what she always does so brilliantly, lifts my spirits.

Daily Telegraph (David Harling)

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