THE NEW CATHEDRAL.....

Down one end of Kent, there`s a cathedral which has stood for 1,000 years; built by craftsmen devoted to the task - knowing that they would not see the completion of their labours during their lifetime. Built with a sense of permanence, a sense of reverence - duty almost - built to last.

Right now, there`s an appeal for £50million to carry out essential preservation work to Canterbury Cathedral in order to secure its grandeur, its history, its magnificence for generations to come - another labour of love which deserves to succeed.

At the other end of Kent. another cathedral appeared eight years ago. This one took three years to build, cost £400million and is a shrine to those who worship the modern day religion of shopping. It`s called Bluewater and apart from the Metro Centre in Gateshead and another shopping mall in Istanbul, is Europe`s largest. A close examination of the architecture reveals a degree of care and attention in the layout and the detail, all designed for the convenience, comfort and beguilement of its patrons. 12,000 car parking spaces, 100 coach parks. The scale of the enterprise is impressive. But it`s hardly likely to still be around 1,000 years from now. It is, I suppose, built to last until the money runs out.

We go there now and again - we paid a visit yesterday but maybe wished we hadn`t. The scramble to acquire just one of the 12,000 parking spaces was a test of patience and endurance and the shops were very crowded with people with nothing better to do. I might include myself in that, although I had the excuse of wanting (as opposed to needing) to buy a book as Father Christmas hadn`t come up with one.

We were glad to get out after about an hour and, on the approach roads going in to Bluewater, there was by now a standstill of vehicles queueing to join the scrum.

How ironic that the modern day religion of shopping is at its height when one of the world`s true great religions is having its most joyous celebration. It struck me afterwards that I might have felt much better, more fulfilled, had I headed towards the other end of the county.