Madam, - What a joy to read the ideas of Tom Joyce (October 23rd)! As a child growing up in Cork, I and my six siblings were fed a healthy diet, much of it from our mother's vegetable patch in our suburban back garden. It required a short walk down the garden path to get our green beans. The idea of them coming plastic-wrapped by air-mail from Kenya would have seemed absurd.
On a visit to Dusseldorf many years ago, I was very impressed by a large area of beautifully cultivated allotments almost in the centre of the city. The people working them probably lived in flats in the area. What a great way to meet the neighbours, apart from the satisfaction of sowing and harvesting. The health benefits on every level must be significant.
Is there any hope that our city and town planners, as well as providing us with so many shopping malls, high-rise blocks and car-parks, might "think green" and leave us some land that is not covered in concrete. Here's to dreaming. . .and yes, I do grow some vegetables and fruit in my garden. - Yours, etc,
MARY LOU NORTON, Leopardstown, Dublin 18.