Letter: Conservation for the millennium

Sir: Why not switch the focus of millennium funding towards conserving the buildings and sites, landscapes and townscapes, that have played a significant part in shaping Britain's history and culture over the last thousand years or more, and celebrating their value in all manner of ways.

Many cathedrals for example require substantially increased funding if they are to survive to 3000AD, cope positively with the tourist explosion, and continue to delight and fascinate UK citizens.

People of all ages, and in all parts of the UK, could directly participate. Well handled, an historical and evolutionary theme could help put the Great back into Britain entering a new millennium.

GRAHAM M LOMAS

Purley, Surrey