15 SEPTEMBER 2001, Page 33

Cemeateries

From Mr Andrew Wilton Sir: Lucinda Lambton (Diary, 8 September) might be interested to know of a recent celebration at Kensal Green Cemetery which was more visual than literary: a Stanley Spencer Resurrection party held in boiling heat, with wonderful eats. Although few Africans were observed emerging from baked mud, many traditional English characters (including the artist's daughters) roused themselves to attend, My first thought was that this was sacrilege, but it became clear that such events are what cemeteries (especially 19th-century ones) are made for, and that Stanley had got it just about right.

Andrew Wilton

London SW11