Dear Editor

Some months ago I read your editorial on the 'cleaning up' of the churchyard at Saint Mary's. I?was born in Ross in 1941, christened, confirmed and married in Saint Mary's Church; as have generations of my family.

We come back to Ross as often as we can and I attend the family graves whilst visiting.

In between visits there are those who check on them.

Last September, when we visited the graveyard, the weeds and grass was so high that the lower graves were hidden.

That very famous Oxbow bend of the River Wye, viewed from The Prospect, could not be seen because of overgrown trees and bushes.

I understand that this was eventually attended to.

I am told that yet again the grass is very high and that the graves are overgrown with weeds. This is by no means a 'new' problem.

The ongoing care of the ground surrounding the graves has been a bone of contention between the Church and the Local Council, which 'pays' and deals with this, for as long as I can remember.

The beautiful 'market' town of Ross, and yes, I remember the cattle markets taking place that long ago, has also been a tourist town which has grown up since my childhood.

What a truly great shame that people who visit the town go to the Prospect, which is beautifully attended too and see through the railings, the disgrace that is the churchyard.

Volunteers are wonderful people, who try their best to help put it right and help where they can. It is also an excuse for those who should be addressing this problem seriously, to wash their hands of it and get away with something that will never change - neglect of heritage.

Carol L Lane, Northamptonshire.