Churches’ heritage

SIR – Marie Blanchard (Letters, September 1) says that if you need money from the Lottery to repair your church, you must get rid of the pews.

This is certainly not our experience. We have just started a major refurbishment project in our parish church, supported by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. While we have to develop ways of boosting the promotion of the building’s history to the wider community – such as by holding heritage weekends, open days and art and craft events – there has been no mention of removing pews as a condition of receiving a grant.

In fact, the Heritage Lottery Fund has been supportive of our proposals from the outset. We recognise and appreciate their remit to promote the country’s heritage, while retaining the essential character of our buildings. John Hall

Sheffield, South Yorkshire

SIR – Concerns about pews in churches are nothing new.

In 1634 Archbishop William Laud reported to Charles I that Salisbury Cathedral “is much pestered with seats” and that he had ordered them to be removed. The same action had already been approved by the King for York and Durham. Professor Jackie Eales

Director of Research, Faculty of Arts and Humanities Canterbury Christ Church University