2 OCTOBER 1982, Page 18

Voluntary contribution

Sir: You do an injustice to the staff of Wells Cathedral, to the English language and to yourself, when you refer to the cathedral . vitation for subscriptions as blackmail (Notebook, 18 September). Blackmail Is only blackmail when it is effective. Blackmail that cannot be enforced is n°t, blackmail. A rough head-count by the stafi has shown that the average contribution .131Y1 visitors is 21/2p each. You will agree me, I think, that the value of the uplif gained by the human spirit on visiting a noble pile as Wells Cathedral is far Ivor' than this. I am one of your older readers, and 5° the invitation by the cathedral staff asks Mei to give a smaller sum than 50p; but 1 fee,, impelled to make up for the miserable lac' of generosity of some of my fellow men by giving much more each time I visit Wells'

I hope you will join me.

John E. Brown,

22A Sewell House, Belmont Road, Winscombe, Somerset