Britain’s issue of eight postage stamps last August is an eye-opener in terms of insisting on a better environment in our small yet wonderful Maltese Islands.

It is pleasing to see the selected picturesque gardens reproduced on the stamps, namely Berrington Hall, Croome, Blenheim Palace (a few miles from Oxford) and Compton Verney a bit further away, which has a good art gallery. Also, Highclere Castle, being the set for the Downton Abbey TV series which now houses an interesting archaeological museum in its cellars. The nice grounds of Longleat, Alnwick Castle and Stowe are no less an enticement to vistors for walking around.

Unfortunately, a pleasant environment seems not to be a must for Malta. There are several distinctive large houses, villas, small palazzi and other buildings in Malta and Gozo which are lying idle, closed or nearing dilapidation.

Perhaps a private public scheme would restore them to their former grandeur and hopefully put them to good use for the enjoyment of locals and visitors.