MRS Elliott is mistaken in saying that the congregation of St Botolph’s have had no opportunity til now to give their views on its closure (Herald letters, March 15).
For at least three years the treasurer, churchwardens and rector have publicised our dire finances, not simply at AGMs but by displaying charts etc., in the church and making statements during or after services. There was an open meeting to which all were invited to come and/or send in written suggestions, and the consequences of our increasing deficit were made plain. There was an extraordinary general meeting after the PCC sadly decided to request closure.
The present formal invitation for comments was issued by the Church commissioners in London at the earliest legal moment.
Mrs Elliott says we could sell the Heene Rooms. As long-standing members of the congregation know, this has been mooted several times since the 1980s (I myself asked about it at the open meeting), but we have always been told it is legally impossible, unfortunately.
Jacqueline Simpson
Christchurch Road
Worthing
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