SIR — It is a pity about Carhampton Churchyard (Free Press November 27) but, without question, pigs were the wrong animal for the task.
Ten years ago, each and every diocese promoted an upkeep scheme which went under the title The Living Churchyard Scheme.
It sought to focus attention upon the value of the churchyard to the community, virtually a nature reserve in any parish, carrying the wildflowers which had been eliminated from the roadside treated with pesticides and decorated with ageing gravestones.
Upkeep was simply mild trimming of the most visited areas with recent graves.
Sadly, the scheme went into decline but has recently seen a revival in the diocese of Hereford and Worcester, which may become more nationwide.
At its peak, advice was given and warnings issued. We all agreed that there were dangers with sheep - a heavy brigade inclined to rub their itches on insecure gravestones, to sad end results.
Preferable was the parish goat - selective and neat in its browsing (as recently recognised on the Clifton Downs in Bristol), capable of tackling quite tough bushes before they took over.
Pigs never came into discussion for obvious reasons.
Worse than pigs, however, was the prospect of a rich retired parishioner owning a sit-on mower, offering to mow the pasture at regular intervals. Mini-dodgems with further damage when the trim was rounded off with a bout of strimming.
It is up to Carhampton to canvass for a parishioner prepared to act as goatherd, with all the milk for healthy living and cheese. Good luck!
Dr Eric Robinson,
Whitehall,