I was intrigued to read about Arckit (The new Lego? A modelling kit for architects is building business in the toy market, 9 November). As a child of the 1950s, with a mother who was an architect, I played with our Bayko building set. It had a board with holes in, into which you slotted metal rods, with bricks that slid in between the rods to build up the walls. Windows, including bow frames, and roof tiles and chimneys completed the house.
Made by Plimpton Engineering Co Ltd, Liverpool, my set was bought at Kiddylines, West Wickham, Kent. Standard sets cost from 14/0 (shillings) up to 99/3 (just under £5). I still have the original box and instruction manual (costing 1/6d).
Nothing new here! Does anyone else remember?
Ros Slowley
Ruyton-XI-Towns, Shropshire
• The new Lego? No, just a modern evolution of Bayko and Brickplayer, both of which engrossed me many years ago – and are still with me. “Bayko houses” are much in evidence along the “arterial roads” of our expanding cities.
Michael Thorn
Helston, Cornwall
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
• The first letter was amended on 11 November 2015. An earlier version said that 99s 3d was just under £1. This has been corrected.
