Preserve church memorials

Sir, – I note that the YMCA in Perth yet again proposes to demolish St Andrews Church in Atholl Street, Perth, and replace it and adjacent buildings with flats and a centre for themselves and their services to young people.

Regrettably, their poor custodianship of this fine building, by one of

Perth’s major architects, has resulted in this probably becoming the only solution.

Having looked at the applications, however, I can find no proposal for the rescue of the two fine First World War commemorative stone memorials within the church – one to the congregation members and one to their former minister, Charles Robertson.

If Perth & Kinross Council is minded to approve the YMCA’s proposals, it must make it a condition that these memorials are rescued and the cost borne by the developers.

The YMCA has treated them badly and they need proper conservation.

If no suitable alternative public site can be found – and the local Church of Scotland churches and Presbytery have been unenthusiastic about proposing a local church location – then culture perth & kinross, as the council’s heritage body, must take responsibility.

In the past the museum service has declined such objects on the grounds of lack of storage space, but with the advent of the new Collections Resource Centre this presumably will no longer be an issue.

These memorials are a significant part of the city’s history and heritage and the memory of the sacrifice of these young men must be preserved for all time.

Hugh Macrae. Binrock, 456 Perth Road, Dundee.