IN his Weekly Essay Dr Ted Gray eloquently describes the rich architectural and historical legacy we have in our churches and cathedrals ('Churches' rich historical legacy', Journal, January 26).

However, I feel that it is all too easy to allow the pretentious magnificence of these buildings to overshadow the equally rich legacy to be found in much smaller buildings in meaner surroundings.

When my grandmother moved into her tiny, dark and dingy two up and two down in London's Manor Park, she was delighted to find it boasted a wooden building of delightful and traditional design and a quality of construction that had survived many years of hard use and the terrors of Hitler's bombs with equal stoicism.

It contained a large seat of gorgeous beechwood which she weekly polished until it shone. She always ensured that the interior walls were decorated with pages of the Daily Mirror which she would cut into neat squares and artistically hang from a piece of string that dangled from a rusty nail.

This magnificent architectural gem was painted green and stood in a far corner of the tiny back yard closely guarded by a large, ancient and fragrant lavender bush.

However, despite its mean surroundings it was something that no religious building could ever be. Useful.

DAVE WALDEN,

Lynton.