DIY Heavan

It didn't take me long to find a skip to hire. There was no doubt I was going to need one, probably ten!

Let me take you back to the start and the letter.

The letter arrived on the doormat one morning as letters do. It was an unusual letter, not the usual offers ofmotorinsurance or letters from one of the kids schools but a handwritten letter in black ink and sealed with slick black wax. The letter was from a solicitors office and had been forwarded on the instructions of a client. The instructions were to be carried out in the event of his death.

The letter outlined that the client was a great uncle. I had previously believed that I had no family. I was adopted by my parents at age two and had no knowledge of my biological parentage. This great uncle it appeared however had knowledge of me and had left me an estate in his will.

I was apparantly the soul beneficiary of the will. The word "estate however had been termed very loosely there was no motor cars no life insurance policy and not a penny. What I had actually aquired was an acre of wasteland at the back of a row of terraced houses in county Durham with a delapidated shed and a lawn mower with a broken motor. At least I wouldn't have to worry about insurance. There wasn't a thing worth stealing.

I visited the area and realised just how little I had inherited. The town was a once prosperous mining town but had fallen into decay with little or no facilities. Shops and schools had closed and jobs were few. As a family man the situation with the schools alone meant moving therewas out of the question.

I entered into talks with the local council to try and gain planning permission to build housing on the land but was refused time and time again.

After a long time of having no luck with the council I was approached bya resident of one of the houses adjoining the field. The residents association wanted to use the land for a community project to grow fruit and vegetables.

I donated the land in the name of the mysterious uncle and created the

"Max Pichelmayer memorial garden"

It was the best thing I ever did. Not only do I have the satisfaction of helping a community but I have all the fresh fruit and vegetables I could handle.