17 JANUARY 1958, Page 13

THRENODY FOR BETJEMAN SIR, —I felt moved to compose the

following threnody on hearing that John Betjeman was to disappear from your columns : Our John has gone; he's shot his bolt; Look out! redundant churches.

Archdeacons move in to the kill, In spite of John's researches.

Our John has gone; the sack's begun, And Bishops swoop to plunder,

Yet 'I'm not sacked' (italics his)

Shouts John in voice of thunder.

—Yours faithfully,

H, J. HAMMERTON

Garforth Rectory, Leeds