Country Life 183

Brief survey of the problem of cathedral repairs, with a call for a national state-aided fund.

Because they are non-functional, the characteristic figures on Somerset church towers are not being conserved.

Many conservation areas are suffering because of misguided renovations of old, sometimes listed, buildings. Several solutions are put forward: English Heritage should take strong action by persuading the Secretary of State to approve control dlrectives and by issuing guidance leaflets for owners and builders; more specialist conservation officers should be appointed by local authorities; and local authorities themselves need educating.

Draws attention to the failure of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to protect limestone pavements, which have ecological, geological, and archaeological importance (see also 89/973).

Cunetio (near Mildenhall) is receiving a measure of protection through restriction of ploughing-depth, but is still under threat from treasure hunters. Recent work by Bryn Walters suggests that it could be a Theodosian road fortress of c 367-8: air photography has revealed bastions along the S and E sides, and the foundations of the S wall were found to be 18ft 6in wide. Extra-mural structures have been seen and also a ?walled cemetery.