SIR — In answer to Mrs G Deadman's letter (Free Press August 21), I would thoroughly agree with her that St Decuman's Churchyard leaves a great deal to be desired.  

It looks uncared for and unkempt and the whole area has a general air of neglect. 

But this has only come about during the last few weeks since the work has been put out to contract by the council.

Mrs Deadman is quite wrong in saying that the cemetery has never looked cared for and to apportion the blame on the once incumbent gardener.  

John Eslick has until recently been the sole carer for the churchyard and has done a first class job. He took a great deal of pride in his work and was to be found in the cemetery much of the week cutting the grass, strimming around the graves, tidying the tops of graves and clearing up any dead flowers.  

There was seldom any need to gather up the grass cuttings as the grass was still comparatively short when cut and the cuttings just  dispersed.

Mr Eslick's work can be vouched for by the worshippers at St Decuman's Church who walk through the churchyard to get to the building and by those of us who conduct funeral services. 

Time and again people visiting church or a grave have commented on its well-ordered state and the Parochial Church Council has written to thank him for his standard of work on several occasions. 

I would suggest that Mrs Deadman takes this matter up with the town council and asks what its future plans are for its upkeep.

Shirley Harrington,

The Rope Walk,