Keeping the rain out of churches hit by thieves

SIR – Historic England agrees that thieves removing lead from church roofs harm historic fabric (Letters, July 31). In attacking our heritage, they cause emotional and financial distress to congregations caring for churches

We advise that stolen lead is replaced by a comparatively modern fabric, which is metal but very unattractive to thieves and has been used successfully for decades: usually stainless steel or zinc. When properly installed, these provide long-term protection to the building, keeping it safe and dry for future generations. Diana Evans

Head of Places of Worship and Owners Advice, Historic England London EC4

SIR – A reason for using lead, stainless steel or aluminium roofing is that these have proved able to withstand all that our climate throws at them for decades. Invariably, the fixings that secure them break down first.

Asbestos-cement products, asphalt and bitumen-based products – called modern materials in their day – have all failed over a relatively short time. It is right to question resin-based materials now being heralded as the latest modern material.

I spent 40 years of my working life restoring historical buildings all over the United Kingdom, and was often pressed to use materials that had supposedly produced good results from “accelerated testing”. Our forebears were no fools in sticking with tried and tested materials that never needed the 20-year guarantee. Peter Johnston

Long Marston, North Yorkshire