Every Saturday on a road in Armley, Leeds, the residents close off either end of the street with wheelie bins, get a brew on, and spend the morning socialising in the fresh air. This event happens in agreement with the local council, and is perhaps a relic of a dying tradition. That fading convention is the simple dynamic of knowing those who live within your immediate radius, better known as, your neighbours.
The notion of ‘the neighbour’ comes with the all-too-classic image of our youthful grandparents popping next door to see how the family are getting along, to discuss work, conduct armchair politics while leaning on the fence and, of course, to borrow some sugar.