SIR: It is with some hesitation I write to you, but feel it has to be said.

I have a neighbour who is totally against my children playing in front of my house. He says they make too much noise (children do), and they play with a ball. What he does not want to know, is, that the ball is a soft ball.

This man, who I previously thought was a decent citizen, has verbally abused my daughter, aged only nine, so much so that I am on the verge of reporting him.

I consider myself to be a concerned parent, who supervises her children's play. I would prefer them to play where I can see them, to know and see for myself if they do wrong. What is the world coming to if I can't do this?

The point of this letter is this: it is no wonder some young people have no respect at all for some elderly people, when they get so verbally abused, and not willing to listen to the children. I hasten to add that he is not the only person in my street who thinks the children should not play where I can see them. One of my neighbours has even threatened the children with a knife.

Children are supposed to respect the older generation. However by my findings, there is very little to respect.

Name and address withheld.

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