Humphrys’ ode to autumn and lament for leafblowers

AUTUMN, that time of year when Mastermind host John Humphrys is infuriated by the sound of leaf blowers near his West London home.

‘Ah . . . autumn has arrived! As the great poet put it: “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness / Close bosom friend of the maturing sun / And o’er all the racketing roar of leaf blowers/ Destroying the peace for everyone.”

‘Apologies to Keats, but every year I pray that some Great Authority will ordain that leaf blowers are to be banned henceforth from the land,’ complains the Radio 4 Today presenter, 74. ‘I watched last week as a man deafeningly cleared the tennis court in my square with one.

‘There were about eight leaves on the courts — and it took him about an hour. My youngest grandson could have done it with a broom in five minutes. They even use them in the park.

‘Why can’t leaves be allowed to stay on the grass — and if they’re blown onto paths, they can be swept up. Or raked into great piles so that small children can jump in them. Isn’t that one of the real joys of autumn?’