Dear Editor, With regard to the Birmingham Library: Who appointed these culturally-illiterate critics of style?

What are the qualifications for the job?

Should I apply?

Using their yardsticks I note that they have not condemned the one really different building in Colmore Row. It is such a well-mannered unpresumptuous building that it is possibly not recognised for what it is.

It is, indeed, the first steel-framed building in Birmingham, designed by Professor Lethaby. In no way does it consciously imitate its pseudo environment.

Some eighty years ago the late Sir John Betjeman who, despite his seemingly very conservative manner, was very well regarded as an architectural critic, wrote a book about the attitude of such people, entitled Ghastly Good Taste.

His view was re-stated by Mr Twentyman, of the Black-Country partnership Lavender Twentyman and Percy, involved in major church rebuilding after the Second World War, during a lecture he delivered at Birmingham University in the early fifties.

Questioned about the absence of ‘traditional pointed’ windows he emphasised the truism that it is traditional to be contemporary. This paradox always has been and always will be true. Technological creativity will always express the qualities and character of its own time.

Conservation is one thing, but uninformed criticism is something different.

Whatever next? Are we to be told that it is wrong for us not to be driving Model T Ford cars? Should railways revert to the original passenger vehicles, without seats and with no roof on the wagons? May we expect to see these civic guardians wearing breaches and tri-corn hats, with wigs and powdered hair? Or will fashionable correctness be doublet and hose, or togas?

Come on! Grow up! Be practical! Strip out from the library all the tawdry fast-food and other basic ‘non-cultural’ items which cheapen the entire environment, and which are there only because of the rental income to the city. Restore some true civic dignity in current terms and let the great mid 20th Century expressive qualities of Mr Madin’s library speak for themselves.

Let it become part of a great approach way to the superb Repertory Theatre, continuing on the exciting way through the ICC to the internationally recognised Waterside, another element of contemporary restoration and delight.

RIBAman (Retired)

Northfield, Birmingham.

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The height of 35-storey opportunism

Dear Editor, Congratulations to the City Planners in not being seduced by British Land’s blatant example of commercial opportunism with their proposed 35-storey tower on Colmore Row.

It may well be an impressive building somewhere else but this site is totally inappropiate. British Land have, I understand, ‘dressed’ their proposed building up with various ‘bells & whistles’ but the wise city planners have seen through their smoke screen & remain unconvinced.

The existing Nat West tower on the site, which was designed by Birmingham architect John Madin, I believe, at least set the tall tower at the rear of the site on Edmund Street & so avoided breaking up the harmony of the Colmore Row building elevations.

Noel Mobberley

by Email.

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Dom has One idea to help tackle diabetes

Dear Editor, I am calling on your readers to help a worthy cause and donate their unwanted or broken jewellery to leading health charity Diabetes UK.

If anyone has an odd cufflink or a watch that doesn’t tick, I urge them to send it to Diabetes UK.

They will then convert the old jewellery into crucial funds to support important diabetes research projects.

As someone who has Type 1 diabetes, I know first hand just how serious it is.

I also know the devastating complications it can cause - like stroke and heart disease.

There are 2.3 million people in the UKwith diabetes and more than half a million who have the condition but do not know it.

These numbers are rising at an alarming rate so it is important we do all we can to raise awareness of diabetes and help find a cure.

You can send any unwanted jewellery to: Old Jewellery Appeal, Diabetes UK, FREEPOST LON12854, London, NW1 2YF.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Dominic Littlewood

The One Show Presenter.

BBC TV.