ALTHOUGH it has long been a rather sorry sight (run-down and boarded up), I was saddened to read of the decision (Bolton News, July 5) to demolish the one remaining chapel in Heaton Cemetery. There were once three such chapels, serving the Anglican, Roman Catholic and non-conformist denominations respectively, and all were designed in 1879 by the noted architect Richard Knill Freeman (1840 - 1904), who was also partially responsible for the overall layout of the huge cemetery complex. The name will probably be unfamiliar to most Boltonians, but I came across references to Mr Freeman whilst researching the history of the beautiful Victorian chapel at Rivington and Blackrod High School some years back, and became fascinated by his story and achievements.

London born, Richard Freeman trained as an architect in Portsea, before coming to Bolton, where he set up a practice in Wood Street, and was to remain in the town (living in Radcliffe Road) until his death. His forte was ecclesiastical architecture, and for a number of years he held the quaintly-titled position of Diocesan Surveyor of Ecclesiastical Dilapidations. As a result, he designed many churches, chapels and vicarages for the Manchester Diocese, and has left a tremendous local legacy, which includes Christ Church, Heaton, St Catherine's Church, Horwich, major extensions and re-design at Holy Trinity Parish Church, Horwich, the vicarages at Blackrod and Adlington, and the school chapel at Rivington.

But Freeman's work was not entirely limited to religious buildings, and his versatility is reflected by the fact that he was also responsible for several major enhancements to the piers at Lancashire seaside resorts, including the pavilions on Blackpool's central pier and Southport pier, as well as the theatre on Blackpool's North Pier.

Although best known for his work in the north-west of England, a notable international accomplishment was the commission he received in 1878 to design St Andrew's Church in Moscow, the only Anglican place of worship in the Russian capital.

Thankfully, much of his work locally can still be viewed with pride, but no doubt, looking down from above, Mr Freeman will be saddened to see the last of his trio of Heaton Cemetery chapels disappear, coupled with the fact that the once very attractive East Lodge (also his design) is in a similarly tragic condition, boarded up, and with grossly overgrown gardens. Not a very appealing or welcoming sight to visitors accessing the cemetery via the Gilnow Road gate.

The chapel at Rivington School was dedicated in 1892, and was designed to perpetuate the memory of Frederic Marshall, who died at the tragically early age of 18, whilst still a boarder at Rivington. The money was donated by Frederic's parents, Daniel and Ellen Marshall (of the well-known Magee, Marshall brewing dynasty), and coincidentally, the Marshall family grave is located immediately adjacent to the chapel about to be razed to the ground.

David Kaye

Chorley Road

Blackrod