Allotment gardening has been part of the working man's heritage since the early 1900s and probably before.

It was conscientiously followed during the First World War when food was very short and became part of survival rather than a hobby.

During the Twenties and Thirties, men helped feed their families through judicious management of their plots.

Dig For Victory played an important part in the Second World War to help ensure food supplies when much was being lost to U-boat warfare.

I remember as a child in the Thirties walking through the allotments near my home and marvelling at the ingenuity of the holders.

All of the materials used were obtained from the local tip, a demolition site or just passed on from a good friend.

Anything not required was stored at the allotment for future use.

Now it seems these practical ideas have to go and with them goes a way of life.

Recently I received a letter from the allotments office of Brighton and Hove City Council, complete with a book of rules marked "Revised August 2003".

They all read pretty reasonably until Rule 4.3: Construction materials, paving and timber for infrastructure work must be used within 12 months.

Is there any sensible reason for this rule? Any materials I have been given are stored neatly close to my shed. How can this cause such an affront to the council?

Rule 10: Why the restriction of not more than one greenhouse or shed? A pal of mine had four greenhouses on his plot.

They were used for prize-winning chrysanthemums and were a credit to any site.

-Dave Huggins, Hove