Jonny Wicks
Moving house. Arghhh! Why is it so difficult? Seriously, 11 months and 9 days ago our house went on the market. Since then I’ve managed to get married, change careers AND beat my children at Junior Cluedo 376 times. But finally, almost an entire year later, the van arrived and with the help of some wonderful friends, it was being loaded with all manner of things I’ve not seen since we moved in 7 years ago. Then after a somewhat tense day, which for several hours meant having lots and lots of money but no house to live in, we finally got the keys and could look forward to at least 3 years of asking the same question every day… “Er… where’s [insert household object here]”.
But amidst the jubilation, there was sadness. Sadness for leaving a house with so many wonderful memories, sadness for leaving the house Josh (6) and Jude (3) were born in, but also sadness for leaving a house with so many wonderful neighbours.
I’m pretty sure it was William Shakespeare who once wrote:
“Neighbours, everybody needs good neighbours
With a little understanding, you can find the perfect blend
Neighbours, should be there for one another
That’s when good neighbours become good friends”
Emotional stuff. And I have to say, we have been blessed with some wonderful neighbours. So in light of us leaving, I decided to write an ode to our neighbours. An ode to Marne Road. Sniff.
“O Marne Road friends, can it be time? To pack our bags, to say goodbye.
A turning just off Station Road, for 7 years was our abode.
Some neighbours came, some neighbours went, some houses bought, some houses rent.
Yet to us all, such love was shown, not least stray balls back to us thrown.
Of Judy and Jim, what can I say. Maybe 80, but greatly kindhearted were they.
In spirit, no more than 20 years old. Each Monday, my bins Jim put out in the road.
A treat for the kids, or painting the fence. How I’ll miss conversations, speaking such sense.
Then there’s Murray and Charley, making us cakes, (though in truth twas more Charley, doing the bakes).
Or what about Kirsty, friendly and kind. Jackie, Mick, Nicola all come to mind.
Sarah, Tom, Karyn lived just up the street, whilst collecting our kids from the school, we would meet.
Taking a parcel, borrowing a drive, such kindness from neighbours, so much to admire.
So farewell dear neighbours, we’ll forever be glad, of our time there in Marne Road, what adventures we had.”
