Letter: Albert remembered in Manchester

Sir: Simon Garfield is incorrect in stating that there had previously been 'nothing like' the Albert Memorial ('A prince condemned to the scaffolding', 30 January).

The Albert Memorial in Albert Square, Manchester, designed by Thomas Worthington, is earlier both in conception and execution. It is very much less lavish than its Kensington counterpart, but is recognisably the same sort of thing - a marble statue on a high podium surmounted by a gothic

ciborium.

The resemblance is so close that it is hard to believe that George Gilbert Scott was uninfluenced by Worthington's design, which was published in the Builder in 1862.

The Manchester memorial was restored in 1977-78, the money needed being raised by public

subscription.

Yours faithfully,

ROBIN BLUHM

Conservation Secretary,

Manchester Group

The Victorian Society

London, W4

31 January