Thankyou for the positive comments.
You're absolutely right there is a point when things start to look good and improve the area, you really wouldnt believe how many people now come to us and ask us to make up their hanging baskets for the spring and summer, we also try and open a stall every Tuesday to try and sell tomato plants, flowers etc to people passing by, so we're also now self funding
You'd be amazed at how little vandalism there has been and a lot of the good comments that we get are from 'the chav brigade' who say 'thats a sound garden'.. We also try and hold events for our community there too, we did a free BBQ for the Royal Wedding. We also made sure that the local children get something back out of our garden and designed it in mind. We planted strawberry plants right round the edge of the garden and told the local children they could pick the ones that they can reach through the fence
I know that there are many problems in the area and I can sympathize completely, I have had all sorts of trouble at my door, one particularly lovely person offered to petrol bomb my house with my children in it... there are lots of problem families about, people have seen me ranting on this forum on many occasions about crime, antisocial behaviour etc etc. There are several reasons why I dont move.
1. I wont let them force me or my family out.
2. I have the best neighbours
3. I love where I live warts amd all.
4. there is a community here and I'm part of it.
5. when there is trouble in our neighbourhood every one of the neighbours comes out and makes a stand to support each other no matter what.