ANGLICAN PROPERTY SELL-OFF

I AM a fifth-generation daughter of pioneers who settled in the Ouse and Osterley areas. For generations my families have been baptised, married and buried in St James the Lesser Church in Osterley and St John the Baptist Church in Ouse. I too was married in the Ouse church and always planned to have my funeral there. People who have moved away come home to have their funerals in their family churches. I strongly object to the proposed sale of our churches and cemeteries, five of which are in my parish. The plan shows a lack of respect and understanding for our ancestors, our heritage, and us, the families and custodians.

After listening to government representatives regarding the sales and the Burial and Cremation Act 2002, I still find it all too unclear to be trusted completely. So many of our returned servicemen now rest in these churchyards. What a way to thank them by selling off their final resting place, somewhere they are supposed to feel safe. These beautiful churches and churchyards mightn’t mean much to some people, but to us with family connections to them, they are priceless! memories. The community has had fundraising events for many years to help maintain the church grounds and building. Why shouldn’t the perpetrators pay, not the innocent people? Someone has this all wrong and it’s not the people who love the church and its surroundings.