Sir, When our association was founded in 1918 by soldiers and officers returning from the war, the length of each plot was determined by the width of the field which we then acquired (letters, Aug 21 and 22), and the width by that of the houses in the adjoining street, so that, for those residents who so desired, their allotment could become an extension of their gardens, a delightful situation which persisted until the 1960s and which I enjoyed for 19 years. The dimensions of our allotments (about 30 yards by 9) were determined by local constraints rather than by the application of some notional national standard.
Don Graham
Victoria Allotments Association,
East Boldon, Tyne & Wear
Sir, In Wiltshire they have resisted the introduction of more modern measurements such as the rod, pole or perch, and still lease allotments in the Old English lug, in five-lug or ten-lug plots.
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Brian Butcher
Cholsey, Oxon
Sir, I am increasingly confused by recent correspondence on the size of allotments which offers sizes in sq m, sq yards, acres, rods and perches. Could you revert to the more traditional unit of measurement — the London bus? I suspect comparison with the size of Wales may not assist.
David Staples
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London N8