Raising the beds... allotments do not mean very much to people with disabilities as a lot of people cannot even bend, or tie up their own shoes. Well think again.

There are raised allotments now for us. The project was born when a successful bid was made for cash from a Local Environment Fund set up to compensate local residents for the disruption caused by running a gas pipeline through the Sussex Downs that included "areas of outstanding natural beauty".

A grant of £5,000 was secured for allotments but used within the shadow of the pipeline so that the Weald Site was chosen. After discussions the three partners that emerged were The City Council, The Brighton and Hove Disabled Federation and the Allotment Federation. In practice it was left to the Allotment Federation to design, fundraise and construct the project. Brighton and Hove stretches along the coast so we settled on three schemes of similar size, one in the east - Coldean, a central site at Weald and a western site at Foredown. Recycled materials are used. Weald Site - ground cleared, levelled, rolled and road scalpings were laid down on top of sheets of terram.

The construction of raised bed boxes are nearing completion. and slabs for the paving are now secured. Coldean - the most advanced site is a quarter paved and has three bed boxes ready for letting. Work on the entrance is being completed as part of a highway improvement scheme. A composting toilet is planned but dependent on funding. Foredown - the advanced planning stage. The infrastructure work is likely to be done by contractors with the funding only recently being secured and site members may be involved later. For more information contact the federation representative Jerry Nevill on 01273 681 931 (email jerrynevill@supawet.com) or the federation secretary John Smyth on 01273 508 195 or email (allotmentfed@btnhove.freeserve.co.uk).

CAMOUFLAGE?

What do you think about this word and what comes to your mind in the first instance. I don't mean the way you dress but "visually". The everyday person can be very cruel to people who visabley have something wrong with them. I have first hand experience off this myself. It can be very cruel, hurtful and makes you feel ashamed of your own appearance. If you are under your G.P. or even a Consultant you ask for a referral.

Not everybody can get it. The service is run by trained volunteers who know what they are doing in that field. The Skin Camouflage Practitioner will see a patient for about 45-60 minute session, during which they will find the best colour match to your own natural skin tone from a large selection of creams, to obtain the most effective and long lasting results. They will also teach the patient to mix the colours together and how to apply it correctly. Correctly applied, these creams are waterproof and may be left for two to three days at a time on the body and twelve to eighteen hours on the face. Conditions that can be treated are, scarring from burns, acne, surgery, rosacea, birthmarks, vitiligo leg veins and other dermatological conditions.

The service is by The British Red Cross and is available nationally. Clinics are usually held in the Dermatology Department of the local hospitals. They are even in some cases held in the G.P. areas. So if you have a problem don't suffer with it, let the service help you. So don't be ashamed with you looks enjoy your life with a smile.