Illustration by John Sadler www.johnsadlerillustration.com 

• EVERY week I open my favourite local newspaper and there’s good news!

Some public-spirited developer wants to build some much-needed modern flats somewhere on my manor.

And sometimes there’s a lovely picture of the planned new homes with family groups strolling happily along on leafy pathways living the dream.

Oh but wait a minute! A couple of years later when the homes are nearly finished, there’s bad news.

Because of adverse economic conditions / the pandemic / the war (tick where applicable) they can only offer the homes to rich toffs! What a blow! But they’re always terribly sorry.

When I was at school, there was a little lad called Andy who thought it was a great laugh to ask: “Do you want a sweet?” “Oooh, yes!” we’d say. “Oh, sorry! I don’t have any!” he’d then tell us with a manic laugh.

The developers often remind me of Andy. But I realise it can’t be the same thing.

After all nobody believed Andy a second time, while our councillors still seem to fall for the new homes prank year in and year out!

TJ DAVIS, NW1