I KNOW nothing whatsoever about politics, but I do wonder if this recession is happening for a purpose. When I have seen on television the amount of food bought and later thrown in the bin, it is appalling.

The culprits haven't lived through World War Two with ration books enabling us to buy essential food, sometimes in ounces. It has been said that we were healthier then than now, even though we are living longer. This is open for discussion.

To keep food prices to a minimum more people are renting allotments and growing their own fruits, flowers, and vegetables.

My church applied for an allotment and have been successful in getting one. Most of the church people who have prepared the ground all have full-time employment and are spending their spare time on the allotment.

It's been hard work but already they are providing our church with a small quantity of flowers and vegetables. They have had very generous donations of a shed, some chairs and bought a boat from Shibden Park, which is now full of plants. They have had the television cameras on the site and are hopeful that the film might be shown in the near future.

The local school have acquired a plot of land and what a wonderful way to show children how things grow. No doubt some of the children would prefer the teaching lesson outdoors rather than the three Rs in school, but all are very important in their education.

All this digging for victory is going on in spite of the inclement weather we have had to endure over the last few months.

(Mrs) Joyce Markham