[MargaretR]

Here in the 'bottom end' we have a daily visit from an ice cream van that looks clean and well maintained. The driver is 'pale' and plays Yankee Doodle Dandy.

I don't find it annoying. On the contrary it gives me the chance to see more of the local children as they form an orderly queue.

Many of the children aren't 'pale' - in fact there are several who appear to have mixed and pure blood carribean origins (and one or two who look 'middle eastern'), and they happen to be the most friendly - I am on first name terms with several of them.

There is no better way to become acquainted with neighbours than to show you don't mind their children playing nearby - in fact I enjoy watching them play and have said so.

It is amusing to see how they have modified the rules of cricket to suit the restricted area of the communal lawn.

Seeing such a multicultural assortment of children all playing together has restored my faith that cultural integration is quite likely possible if adults stop indoctrinating their kids with their own prejudices.