SIR — "Shameful" writes your anonymous correspondent about the new access through Dulverton churchyard (Your Letters November 20).

What is really shameful is not to do all you can to ensure that the disabled can get to church.

60 per cent of the population of Dulverton are aged over 60 and, with an ageing population, the problem of getting to church is only going to increase.

Of course we do take communion to those who cannot come - seven of them every month. But the idea that they should be told to stay at home until the vicar calls deprives them of the fellowship of church and the joy of singing praises to God together.

We are told that there are over 9,000 burials in our churchyard. But there are not 9,000 graves because previous generations re-used the ground time and again and in the process will have disturbed many burials.

In the 1850s when our church was enlarged, they will almost certainly have had to remove bones. They will have treated these bones with respect - as we did - and buried them reverently - as we did.

Christians believe that the body should be treated with respect but we also declare that it is "the soul that goes marching on".

Your correspondent is wrong in saying that "the majority of parishioners were against". We can supply a report written by an independent chairman (a retired ambassador) which lists just four objectors at the public meeting held.

We listened then and amended our plans. We have also listened to those voices against commercial activities taking place and have found an alternative solution.

We believe that the changes we are making will enable not just the dead to "rest in peace" but the living to enjoy a quiet oasis in the heart of Dulverton.

Wendy Gunn and Ann Jewitt (Churchwardens),

John Thorogood (Rector),

All Saints Church,

Dulverton.