Madam,

Your report on the request made to Aberystwyth Town Council by the Bishop of Menevia to support his plan to demolish St Winefride’s Church to make way for a property development quotes a claim made by one of his supporters to speak for a “silent majority”.

Many would take issue with this “majority” claim. The only time when supporters of the scheme were in a majority was in a highly unsatisfactory and unrepresentative “secret ballot” of parishioners which the diocese organised in 2009.

It was so “secret” that the bulk of parishioners were not informed of it until many months later.

The reality is that there is widespread support for the attractive plan by architect Gareth Lewis to refurbish and enhance the church, not just among parishioners (80 per cent of whom expressed support for the plan) but also among the many non-Catholic citizens of Aberystwyth who care about its fine heritage.

Yours etc,

Laurie Wright, Dan-y-coed, Aberystwyth.

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