The Sunday Times - UK (2022-02-06)

22 February 6, 2022The Sunday Times

Home

H

ome is my sanctuary. My

flat is tiny, but it’s my

space. I do a job where I

talk all day. My flat is a

place where I don’t have

to articulate or vocalise anything. At

work I’m constantly commentating on

what is going on around me. At home I

don’t have to do that.

Where is home at this point in

your life?

I rent a two-bedroom flat in Dalston in

Hackney, east London, overlooking

Ridley Road Market.

Do you live with friends, a partner

or on your own?

I have lived on my own for three

years. Initially I didn’t like the silence

but now I revel in it. It’s my space

where I put on whatever music I want.

How would you describe your

flat aesthetically?

It’s a monument to miscellanea.

There’s a lot of trinkets that I’ve

picked up from travelling, colourful

cushion covers, and throws and

blankets. I’m really into making sure

the lighting is ambient and so there

are lots of little lamps.

How different is your home now

from your home growing up in

over one metre at the

worst point. The whole

boundary fence, which is

mine, needs replacing.

Due to the difference in

level I would need to

retain my neighbour’s

soil, which is adding many

thousands to the three

quotes I have received.

My neighbour is so far

refusing to contribute,

even though I have pointed

out it is the need to hold

his land back that is

adding to the considerable

cost. Could I insist that he

contributes, as without

a retaining wall his soil

would fall on to my

property?

Christine

A

If the fence that you are

proposing to replace at

present retains the

neighbouring soil, and

your title deeds make it clear

that you are responsible for

the boundary, then you are

responsible for the costs of its

replacement. You are quite

right to have tried to resolve

the matter with your

neighbour. However, if

they are not responsible

for that boundary, there is

little you can do to insist that

they do. This would be

different if it was not clear who

is responsible for the

boundary. If the retained

soil causes any damage

to the boundary fence,

then you may be able

to seek to recover damages

in respect thereof from

your neighbour.

Emily Walker, solicitor,

Ramsdens, ramsdens.co.uk

Send questions to

homehelp@sunday-

times.co.uk. Advice given

without responsibility

MY SINK IS

TURNING

WHITE

Q

I inherited a

granite

composite

sink. Over time it has

become clogged with a

white film. Bicarbonate of

soda and vinegar are not

shifting the film. I don’t

want to replace it. What

can I do?

Sho

A

It sounds like a layer of

grease. Be cautious on

granite and use a detergent

such as Fairy Liquid, which is

a degreaser, with a microfibre

cloth. If that doesn’t work, mix

hydrogen peroxide with

whiting powder (available

from art supply shops or

online). Mix into a paste and

brush on to the sink with a

washing-up brush. Use rubber

gloves and goggles. Leave the

paste for 12 hours; rinse and

brush off. You can cover the

sink with clingfilm while the

paste is on. If the drain is

blocked, Mr Muscle activated

by hot water clears grease

blockages effectively. To stop

grease build-up, scrub sinks

regularly with Fairy Liquid

and warm water. Untreated

stone sinks and worktops

require constant cleaning;

ceramic sinks are more

durable. If I redid a property,

I’d put a steel kitchen in. The

main tip with natural stone is

to avoid using limescale

remover. This can damage it.

Edward Jonkler, founder,

Remora Cleaning

MY NEIGHBOUR WON’T

PAY FOR HALF THE FENCE

Q

I live on a steep hill. The

difference in level

between my garden

and my neighbour’s is just

HOME

HELP

READERS’ CLINIC

HOW CAN WE STOP OUR NEIGHBOUR’S CAT

CAUSING HAVOC IN OUR HOUSE?

Our neighbour’s cat is

always in our garden and

house. It steals our cats’

food, uses their litter trays

and makes a mess. In

summer we have to

keep windows and doors

closed. The neighbour

now jokes we have three

cats. Help!

Igor

If your cat is chipped (it

should be), get a

microchipped cat

flap that will only open

for your cats.

Nick Hunt

Cat Mate (£50,

closerpets.co.uk) only

allows cats that are

chipped and

registered through the

your cat flap.

Jim, Blackskull

If your cats are chipped,

you can get feeders that

will only open for your cat.

The other cat might then

look elsewhere.

Sue Miller

This is neglect. Contact Cats

Protection or the RSPCA,

who will rehome it.

Karen Sorflaten

FUTURE QUESTION

Our built-in wooden

wardrobe backs onto

an interior wall. I air it often,

but it still smells stale. I’ve

checked for mice, used

lavender and left it open for

days. Any tips to keep it

smelling fresh?

Send tips and questions to

homehelp@sunday-

times.co.uk. Advice given

without responsibility

TIME AND SPACE THE WAY WE LIVE NOW

VICK HOPE

The broadcaster on naked living in

Hackney and metropolitan voyeurism

TRISTAN FEWINGS/GETTY IMAGES/ABA; PA/ALAMY; INSTAGRAM @VICKNHOPE

Newcastle and does it reflect your

childhood home at all?

We grew up in Heaton in Newcastle,

which was in the east end. After that

we moved out to the countryside,

where my parents still live. That had

loads of outdoor space, so me and my

three brothers spent a lot of time in

the garden. Newcastle was cold and

wet, but we still had barbecues. I

don’t have that here.

Judging by your Instagram feed,

your only outdoor space appears

to be a 12ft by 4ft balcony...

That’s right. But I don’t mind. I can

see the trains going through Dalston.

I love looking out at the world outside.

I can see hundreds of people every

day, on the train going to work. I love

imagining where they might be going.

Do you like losing yourself in

their stories?

I do. I love it. One of my favourite

words is “sonder”, which is the

realisation that every passer-by has a

life as complicated and vivid as your

own. I can see people watching their

TVs and dancing into the night.

Are you high enough up not to

have to worry about people

watching you watch them?

I don’t know. I’ve often wondered. I’m

naked in my flat all the time. It did

occur to me the other day that people

can possibly see me because I can see

them. We have four buildings that are

around a courtyard and everyone can

see into my bedroom. I’m very aware

of that. I’ve seen some things from my

window, believe me.

Do share...

I’ve seen auto-pleasure. I’ve also seen

duos. It’s all going on here.

Do you have any domestic rituals?

Every morning I like to get up and do

a bit of a dance in my kitchen. That

was my gym replacement during

lockdown. I’ll stick on some Aretha or

Lizzo — yesterday it was Sigrid — and

just have a good dance around the flat

for three and a half minutes. It puts

me in a good mood for the day. I just

like letting go for a bit.

Where would your dream home be

in the future?

I would love to have more outside

space, but I’ve made such a life for

myself in Hackney I don’t want to

leave. The problem is the house prices

are excruciatingly high.

Interview by Nick McGrath

Vick Hope co-hosts the BBC Radio One

weekday drivetime show with Jordan

North from 3.30-5.45pm. Her new

CBBC show with Ricky Wilson starts

tomorrow

Vick Hope, top, and, above, in a

family photo posted on Father’s

Day. Below: bustling Ridley Road

Market, in Dalston, east London

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