Scenes of devastation in the street, it's full of men clutching their heads in one hand and a shovel in the other (the urban beach seems to be taking a lot of clearing up). Everyone is wandering around wafting black bin bags, picking up soggy sausages and charred Quorn goujons (they were ours and very nice they were too). The recycling bins are bursting with bottles and cans, and when I went out for the papers furtive gaggles of skinny, pale 14 year olds were loitering around examining remains.

I was very sniffy about the street party, however it was fantastic. Fortuantely the afternoon wasn't too soggy and although it poured down from early evening everyone brought out patio heaters, sun parasols and umbrellas and just got on with it. Neighbours who have walked past me 100 times without even nodding were sharing their provisions, wine and secrets, every child on the street was up well past their bedtime (there was no bad behaviour, wailing or chaos) and I'm really hoping that it happens again next year.