SO the first day of spring arrives with a surprisingly warm and rain-free day.

Two brothers, usually attached to an Xbox, note the blue skies and decide to head outside to kick a football around.

‘Fantastic’ thinks mother – fresh air and exercise.

One of the many delights of living in Ashworth Park is having the open green spaces around the estate.

The elder brother has grown up with this freedom of playing on the grasslands with friends – the younger brother has obviously enjoyed the same freedom.

At this stage I should point out since the end of the summer no one has been out on the grass and this could not be said to be a regular, nightly occurrence for the summer months either – it’s just as the mood takes!

So imagine mother’s displeasure as within five minutes of fresh air the boys return having been told that under no circumstances are they to play on the grass and if they persist police would be called.

Mother watched from the kitchen window – at no time did the football touch anyone’s hedge or go near anyone’s property. While private property and flower beds should always be respected, this particular resident jumped to the completely wrong conclusion that the sole aim of playing football was to destroy his property – simply not an appropriate conclusion!

Come on, one child and one adult kicking a ball on a spring evening hardly competes with the Derby.

Ashworth Park is a family estate – always has been and always will be.

In recent years neighbours have joined together for garden parties, picnics and even a rope swing hung from trees on this section of grass.

Our family will continue to use the space as and when we feel like doing so (in reality not very often at all) and if Victor Meldrews wish to waste police time, then so be it!

Unhappy resident Ashworth Park