ONE has dedicated her 40-year career to the NHS, another raised a baby boy through the Second World War - others are survivors of the blitz.

They are hard-working, law-abiding citizens - and what thanks do they get? Their only joy in life could be taken away.

This group of elderly residents who like to sit outside their homes for a chat in the sunshine are facing having their benches confiscated after complaints of noisiness.

The posse of pensioners, including one 96-year-old woman, enjoy nothing more than nattering in the fresh air over a cup of tea.

But their daily routine is under threat after Broomleigh Housing Association received a number of complaints over the last two years from nearby residents complaining of anti-social behaviour.

The association, which owns the women's sheltered homes in Horning Close, Mottingham, is considering taking the four benches away - a prospect which has left the pensioners fuming.

Sixty-nine-year-old Ann Reddy is recovering from a stroke and has had 45 operations in her lifetime including seven on her right foot and eight on her left.

She also suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, has replacement shoulders and knuckles and is on a waiting-list for two replacement knee-caps.

She finds accusations of anti-social behaviour against her and her friends 'unbelievable', saying: "How could I possibly be capable of anti-social behaviour. When I told my doctor that we might be having our benches taken away, he asked me if I had been drinking.

"We don't drink and sit on walls throwing cans of lager around the place. We don't sing in the middle of the night. It's unbelievable.

"We just love sitting outside in the fresh air enjoying each other's company and talking quietly about our families, the weather, and the cost of living. But someone has complained and said we are making too much noise."

The retired NHS medical secretary who lives alone added: "Where would we go? I can't walk to the local park in my condition, and neither can all the other old ladies."

Meanwhile, Rose Anderson, aged 96, who has nine great-grandchildren, five grandchildren, a daughter and a son who was born just before the outbreak of the Second World War, said: "I would be devastated if I was stopped from meeting with my friends.

"I'm so old now and I have got nothing else to do with my day.

"I would just have to sit in my flat all day long and I would go mad. We all deserve to be treated with a lot more respect than this."

Assistant director of supported housing at Broomleigh, Julie Schoon, responded by saying: “As a registered social landlord we are responsible for ensuring that any complaints of noise nuisance or other forms of anti-social behaviour are acted upon.

“Following a number of complaints from residents over the last two years we have worked hard to try and mediate between those involved.

“We are very reluctant to remove any of the benches and would view this as a last resort. We are currently talking to residents and considering various solutions to try and resolve the issue.”

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