SIR, —While approving the list of England's best towns and cities
so far as it goes, I feel the compiler's knowledge of the country is incomplete and Mr. Betjeman's additions per- functory. I should like to make the following additions: four in Worcestershire—BewdleY. Dudley, Evesham, Pershore; three in York' shire—Beverley, Richmond, Yarm; two more Thames-side towns—Lechlade, Wallingford; two more cathedral cities—Hereford, Lincoln; two borderline cases — Berwick-on-Tweed, Ross-on-Wye; also Bridgnorth, Burford and Colchester.
There is a dangerous smugness about the assumption that famous omissions are in no danger. In the case of Ludlow there is serious discussion of three major mutilations: the demolition of the island sites in the Bullring• the replacement of Ludford Bridge and a ring road on the river bank below the castle. All of these could be avoided by a promised by-pass whose construction has been delayed by the credit squeeze. The antiquarianism of the list is a pity, too. Coventry deserves a place in the four-star category.—Yours faithfully,
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