Mum battling breast cancer horrified as neighbours complain about 'messy' garden

Mum battling breast cancer horrified as neighbours complain about 'messy' garden Philippa Smith was shocked when her "snobby" and "petty" neighbours complained about her "messy" garden at their Grade 1 listed building, calling on them to gain "a bit of perspective" A mum fighting breast cancer blasted her "petty" neighbours after they complained about her "messy" garden strewn with kids' toys. Widow Philippa Smith, 42, lives in a Grade 1 listed building and received the complaint from the building's management company ahead of the property's heritage weekend. Philippa, stunned by the complaint, says her lawn is regularly mowed by a gardener while her children's toys are put away when they're not in use. The mum hit out at her neighbours' "snobby" behaviour and posted a video online that racked up 42,000 views. Philippa, from Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, said: "I just think it's petty. While we do live in a Grade I-listed building and there's some beautiful parkland around, it's my private garden and it is a lived-in property, not a National Trust property. "I got the email saying there had been some comments about my garden and that I needed to do something about it. I was surprised they were making such a big deal out of it. "We are the only family living here and I think my neighbours don't like the fact we have two children and three dogs. "I'm a widow with two small children and I'm going through treatment for breast cancer. They could have some empathy and understanding for the fact I got a lot on my plate at the moment." Philippa added that she thinks her neighbours would prefer her property to be occupied by retirees. She was widowed in 2023 following the death of her husband, Royal Navy officer Lieutenant Commander Richard Smith, and admits: "I've got a lot on my plate." After receiving the email, Philippa politely replied stating her case. She says she is yet to hear back since sending her message. She called her neighbours to gain "a bit of perspective" as her kids were playing outside in the middle of the scorching hot summer. Philippa continued: "It comes across as snobby. They don't seem to have a lot of appreciation for the fact there are children in the house." The response to the mum's online post has been largely supportive. Many believed the neighbours were overreacting. One wrote: "I was expecting a jungle, your neighbours have too much time on their hands! Send invites to them for a garden party." Another commented: "Tell them they can tidy it up for you if they want to." A third simply added: "They have nothing better to do." The management company said: "[The hall] is a Grade 1 listed property with grounds managed and maintained by [the] Management Company. "As a residential management company, we have a duty of care to all residents at [the] hall and to protect the privacy and confidentiality of our community, we do not comment publicly on individual residents or private internal communications. "The management company acts impartially to ensure that standard lease agreements and guidelines are respected. These policies exist simply to maintain a safe, peaceful, and well-kept environment for all residents, including families."