SO the Mayor is annoyed at Wayne Hemmingway's remarks about our town's architecture.

If Mr Hemmingway had made those comments a few years ago, the mayor could have shown him the beautiful architecture of the Goddard Mansion on the Lawns, but it has been knocked down.

He could also have seen the Corn Exchange, but that has almost burnt down.

He could have shown him the Townsend House, in Cricklade Street, which John Betjeman admired so much, but now that's in a terrible state.

Years ago the mayor could have shown him the superb Empire Theatre which had such a magnificent staircase.

And around the corner was the lovely Central Hall, which was famed for its acoustics.

He could have shown him the Baptist Tabernacle, with its classic columns.

And further down Regent Street the McKilroy building was an example of great architecture at its best.

Now he cannot show him any of them because councils have demolished them or let them rot.

Now all the mayor could show Mr Hemmingway is the "temporary" central library and the Civic Offices which remind many ex-servicemen of a NAAFI canteen.

JE PLUMTREE

Wroughton