The migration of Londoners to Lewes. I hadn't realised what a touchy subject this was until comments I made last week set off a backlash of anti-urbanite responses. Like many other folks here, I sold up in the big city and headed South in search of a better life - and found it. I had previously thought that everyone loved us city kids here, but now I am not so sure. I did a quick survey, which was met with a wall of silence - a hush campaign. House prices were mentioned and I was advised to handle the issue with caution.

In a dark alley, I met up with a leading estate agent whose identity I will protect. Looking over his shoulder, he told me the whole story. If you have just got off the underside of a lorry from Lambeth then take note: in the late 1990s Londoners realised that they could trade their one-bed flat for a four-bed period house in Lewes. The result was a massive hike in prices. Then there was The Flood followed by The London Houseprice Fall. Now the trend has changed and there are as many people moving in from Brighton as the capital. Unless locals want to move abroad, the impact is bad: first-time buyers can't get a look in, investors are scared off, families can't afford to upsize. On the bright side, the shopkeepers, restauranteurs and publicans are happy and this keeps a fragile peace. The message is clear: spend local or you'll be burned on Bonfire. So it's cupboard love after all. Time to go out for some cocktails and sushi to console myself. JW