London's railings
Sir: Although somewhat removed from his normal City topics, Skin- flint's comment (30 January) on London garden railings deserves every support. One of the dreariest and drabbist reminders of the War is the chain link fencing which still disfigures so many of London's squares. The theory propounded, I believe, by the Office of Works, is that hedges grow through the fenc- ing thereby improving the ap- pearance. In places like St. James's Square, the hedges are trimmed, re- vealing yards of rusty fencing. Where hedges are left untrimmed, they simply look untidy and do not conceal the fencing. Cheap modern substitutes are not much better. Cavendish Square garden, once a place of great elegance, is now disfigured by a surround of purple lavatory brick, with a hori- zontal wooden coping reminiscent of a football stadium.
The demolition of the north side of Ashley Place, Westminster, has made available a sizeable quantity of Victorian cast iron railings and some quick and imaginative garden committee may be able to secure a bargain.
Those who cannot should follow Skinflint's advice and visit York Terrace, Marylebone.
Norman Pearson 7 Storey's Gate, Westminster, Lon- don swl
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