A ROAD FAIR

DEAR SIR, Thousands of motorists and cyclists tour England to enjoy scenery, even more to visit our beautifulbuildings and picturesque towns and villages. With the destruc tion of the cottages now becoming derelict or in danger of being reconditioned, past recognition, with asbestos or other strange “foreign ” (not local) materials, our countryside must lose much of its attraction. Eyesores such as hideous signs and hoardings, unsightly

wayside garages and petrol pumps are bad enough, but the owners may yet learn that such things repel, not attract, customers. Let every motorist and cyclist who has ever said, ” What a pretty village ! ” or ” I should like that cottage ! ” help the Fund for the Preservation of Ancient Cottages recently started by the Royal Society of Arts (Adelphi, London, ‘W.C.2) at a Conference held on January 26th under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, so that the beauty of our country cottages may be preserved while they are being made sanitary for the rural population with the help of the Government grant ; otherwise, without the aid of experienced advisers, local authorities may destroy their beauty and charm. Yours faithfully,

A ROAD-PARER OF OVER 500,000 MILES.