SIR — What purpose might the Free Press think is served by the publication in its May 27 edition of references to the reasons for the departure of the previous vicar of Minehead?

These reasons were fully explored in your newspaper at the time of their being made public.

Now, with the passing of time, it is to be hoped that both the vicar and his family and the members of his former flock are finding it possible to be looking to the future.

The good news of the coming of a new vicar is to be welcomed and is a proper matter for press comment, but the raking over of the sad events of last year ill behoves a responsible local newspaper.

Human frailty, sadly, seems to sell newspapers. However, it would be good to know that the Free Press might, in the future, commit itself to other values, shared as I am sure they are by many of its readers.

Bridget Baillie,

Carlton Court,

Minehead.