Just as children toy with the idea of the things they would like to do when they grow up, adults in their middle years speculate on how they might spend their retirement.

I'm currently enthused about allotments, having spent a day last week touring various plots in the district as one of the judges in the Council's annual allotments competition.

The people I met were full of enthusiasm and had lots to say about the benefits of getting themselves back to the garden once the pressures of having to work for a living had been lifted off them.

One man said that digging and hoeing, planting and growing, had helped him through post-retirement depression. Another spoke of the joys of having the freedom to spend any morning or afternoon that he liked working his plot of land while those who were still in employment could only manage it at weekends or on summer evenings.

Men and women alike spoke with pride of the effort they had to put into keeping the land free of weeds and slugs and the rewards which came when they harvested their fruit and vegetables.

Having an allotment keeps people active and fit as they grow older. It gives them a sense of purpose, a reason to get up and get out and do something every day, whatever the weather. There's the community spirit of the allotment crowd. And, of course, there's more fresh vegetables and fruit than you can possibly eat.

Put together, it seems to help people cope with the ups and downs of old age.

Frank Burnham is 80 and works a Bingley allotment with his wife Bessie, 79.

Watching them clearing and burning the weeds, it's hard to believe that Frank suffered from angina a couple of years ago but seems to somehow have worked his way through it, while Bessie had major surgery last year.

Mind you, there are drawbacks. Take a few days off and the weeds invade.

"An allotment is very demanding," said one man. "It's like having another wife, really." Then he added: "Except it does leave you alone at night."

Once upon a time, old age commanded a degree of respect among young people. Not any more. Now, it seems, old age is regarded as a sign of weakness and the elderly are seen as easy victims for muggers.

What sort of coward knocks a frail 83-year-old to the ground as she leaves her village post office, and snatches her handbag? That's what happened in Idle last week - in mid-morning.

It could be that the young man who carried out this attack was desperate for money to feed a drugs habit. That seems to be the reason for most robberies nowadays. But what a sad society we've become when it's the old who find themselves forced to foot the bill for the follies of the young.

I Don't Believe It!

If buses are supposed to be no-smoking, that's what they should be. At least, that's the view of Russ Dawson of Eccleshill, who takes to the Moan Throne in support of travelling non-smokers (we are in the majority, you know!).

"The no-smoking rule is simply not enforced," he says. "Resources will have to be put into ensuring that people do not smoke. There can be no doubt about that.

"But if they advertise that they have a no-smoking policy, surely they must follow this up. I would pay more and use the services more frequently if this policy could be upheld.

"The longer the bus companies put this off, the more used to smoking people will become, making it more difficult and confrontational when the time comes. And that time will certainly come as cars are gradually pushed out of the city centre and a proper bus service is demanded.

"For the time being, however, I'll take my bat home and use the bus only when I have to."

I could not agree more, Russ. I never travel upstairs on a bus myself. I can't stand the smoke and besides, Mrs Mildew won't let me in the house if my clothes get to smell of it.

But sometimes there are so many people smoking upstairs that the fumes even pursue you down the staircase to the lower deck.

If you have a gripe about anything, drop a line to me, Hector Mildew, c/o Newsroom, T&A, Hall Ings, Bradford BD1 1JR, email me or leave any messages for me with Mike Priestley on (44) 0 1274 729511.

Yours Expectantly,

Hector Mildew

Enjoy Mike Priestley's Yorkshire Walks

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