City and Suburban
By JOHN BETJEMAN T AM much interested in the resentment of edu- lcated people against people who appear on television. I can understand resentment against the medium, and, indeed, have no television set myself (nor for that matter a steam radio). One can say that the screen is too small, the images too blurred and too often interrupted, the pic- torial and dramatic possibilities still too em- bryonic to be taken seriously, but that does not explain the contempt expressed for television stars. For instance, last week Lord Attlee, who is the epitome of justice and impartiality as well as, to me, the most lovable of public figures, in reviewing a book by Mr. A. J. P. Taylor, said that he was 'the well-known television star' and that the book was written 'in his other capacity as an historian.' I know, too, of distinguished Oxford Dons who would rather be seen dead than on television. The attitude is if you have to resort to appearing on television you cannot have any real integrity. The implication from that is that Sir Mortimer Wheeler can't be as good an archaeologist as Sir X Y who is histri- onically dull, and so on through all the professions and arts. Let us admit that this criticism is not prompted by envy. Indeed, it generally comes from people with assured incomes who are able to meet their commitments without seeking the outside aid of popular recognition. The mistake critics of television performers make is that they think that appearing on television is a full-time job. But the truth is that it is no more trouble to go on to one of these conversation programmes than it is to go out to dinner. It is even less troublesome than some dinner parties I have known. Mr. Taylor, whatever the merits or de- merits of his book, cannot have had his work as an historian seriously impaired by going on television, and the same goes for any other writer, painter or professor.
CHAIN STORE Very good news on the chain-store front comes from Chichester and Currys Limited, the bicycle and wireless firm. This firm has acquired 73 North Street, an eighteenth-century shop build- ing,which was part of the setting of the adjoin- ing Council Chamber and Assembly Room. Through the co-operation of Chichester City Council and Currys's architect a design has been produced which retains the Georgian upper stage and four out of five of the fluted columns below and sets back the shop window three feet. Not only have Currys thus preserved a listed eighteenth-century building, but they have also consented to use Trajan lettering on the board above the shop which will be in keeping with the building. The Georgian Group have sent Currys a letter of congratulation. This firm has branches all over England. May we expect still more con- sideration from other chain stores? Perhaps one day even 'Dorothy Perkins' will see the light.
THE OPEN ROAD If it is true that the big firms are spending so much money on commercial television that they are withdrawing their advertisements from periodicals and newspapers, perhaps they will also consider withdrawing their advertisements from hoardings and 'advertising stations' which do even less good to the community than periodi- cals and newspapers.
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