'Window dressing' for estate

By Brady Haran
BBC iCan reporter

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When a new park was built below his kitchen window, Michael Robinson did not like the look of it.

But rather than just complaining, Mr Robinson took action.

He and fellow residents of The Leys, in Beaumont Leys, Leicester, recently secured a double victory - a donation of 2,000 flower bulbs and £9,000 conservation funding.

The flowers - daffodils and crocuses supplied by Leicester City Council - will be planted later this month by local school children.

The £9,000 grant has been provided by the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.

Sometimes you feel you're being cheeky Mel Fredericks

Mr Robinson said: "It used to be a nice field with grass... now it is an eyesore filled with railway sleepers and concrete slabs which are an insipid green - a hospital green."

As treasurer of the residents association, Mr Robinson says his campaign will turn the park into "something that is not an eyesore and can be used by all residents of the area".

The £9,000 will be used to improve seating in the park and put in more plants.

Mr Robinson is one of many people who recently responded to an appeal from the BBC to share the views from their windows.

Email us about view from your window (or send us a picture)

These trees block Mel Fredericks' view of Carlton Valley

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Another was Mel Fredericks, from Carlton in Nottingham.

She complained of a large trees on a neighbour's property which block her view of the Carlton Valley.

But unlike Mr Robinson, Mrs Fredericks has been too timid to rectify the situation.

She has not even raised the matter with her neighbours.

She said: "I'm not sure if I have got any legal way of asking for the trees to be cut.

"And in a way, sometimes you feel you're being cheeky (to ask).

"You don't want to go and ask because they might say no, and then you get cross."