I have lived in a terraced house for 36 years. There are advantages and disadvantages.

Living cheek-to-cheek is often romanticised. Neighbours popping round for a cup of treacle, etc. There was more of that 50 years ago. These days busy people often keep themselves to themselves.

Proximity is one problem of terraced living. People living on top of each other. Don't we all need space to belch at will? (Sorry, Will)

Are new terraced houses still being built? If they are, it is an anti-social policy. Neighbours would live happier lives with a small space between their exterior walls. Just six inches could make all the difference.

A new neighbour can bring a new experience to terraced living.

And whatever romantics say 'old' and 'young' often don't live happily at close quarters.

In many ways they are in different worlds, bless 'em.

I would welcome the views of others on this matter.

Max Nottingham,

St Faith's Street,

Lincoln.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.