Madam,

I refer to Adrian Murphy’s letter (Catholic church plans in abeyance due to unintelligent actions of group of parishioners). Having spent 40 years working with historic buildings, I read it with amazement and concern.

Mr Murphy writes as a trustee of the Diocese of Menevia. He states that St Winefride’s church “was of poor design and built to a very poor standard”.

On what evidence is this statement based? The diocese now plans to renovate the derelict church of The English Martyrs at Penparcau, which is hardly the “central place” in Aberystwyth as described by Mr Murphy.

That church was indeed built to a poor standard; it has suffered subsidence and its roof structure will need wholesale replacement. Meanwhile St Winefride’s refuses to collapse or even suffer significant decay.

As a parishioner I was present at the discussions between the bishop and the parish in January 2015 when “a common mind was declared about moving ahead with the sale” – the bishop’s own words - of the Penparcau land in order to finance the restoration or replacement of St Winefride’s.

I am now shocked to discover that this trustee, at least, is still clinging blindly to the idea of a new church at Penparcau, in direct opposition to the stated wishes of the Catholic parishioners of Aberystwyth.

Yours etc

John Crompton

Tynygraig

Aberystwyth.

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