I AM writing in response to the letter (August 23) by Denise Langsford, 'Distressed by state of special churchyard'.

This being my parish church, St Peter's, Lewtrenchard, I feel that Ms Langsford's letter was totally uncalled for. This church has one of the prettiest churchyards, which has a succession of wild flowers throughout the year.

Due to the continuous wet weather over the past months, it has not always been possible to cut the grass and most of us have had difficulty in our own gardens — the grass is growing at a considerable rate.

Many local families have relations buried in the churchyard but no complaints have been received from them. I would have thought Ms Langsford would have had the courtesy to contact the churchwardens if things were distressing her so much.

I do hope Ms Langsford will not be outraged and shocked to see diggers at work in front of the church this week. This is to carry out work to create a disabled access from the adjacent car park to the church and to eventually have a disabled toilet and other amenities for public use.

How can she compare our small churchyard with that of the cemetery on the Plymouth Road, which is council-owned and which employs many. Also, Lewtrenchard Manor and Hotel, who again employ their gardeners.

St Peter's is a small parish church and does not have this privilege, but relies on local self-employed gardeners to carry out grass cutting etc No way is this a 'forgotten churchyard' at all.

Valerie A Kimsey

Baring Court

Lewdown