Balcony ban
SIR: Ysenda Maxtone Graham (‘The great British balcony delusion’, Summer issue), addressed an observation that has puzzled me ever since I became a flat
dweller two years ago. I have a balcony, with the obligatory two chairs and a table, which I use regularly – especially in hot weather, to access any breeze. I am surrounded by flats similarly provisioned, yet never a soul do I see on them!
However, I can answer one of the questions raised about the lack of washing; my balcony, and I suspect most others on private estates have a clause in their leasehold contracts forbidding the exhibition of one’s underwear to the neighbours when in a wet state.
I sneak the odd item out to air, but any wholesale drying would be met with a stern reminder from the managing agent not to pollute the vista. Dead and dying plants, yes, knickers – absolutely not! Ruth Martin, Bromley, Kent.