I’M sorry to disappoint your correspondent Russell Mercer, but St Peter’s Churchyard has been in the care of Bournemouth Council since 1971.

The church council at that time had an appeal amounting to about £5,000 in order to clear up and tidy the several acres of burial ground.

It was then handed over to the local authority so that it could be maintained in perpetuity as a public open space for the enjoyment of all Bournemouth residents, whether or not members of the Church of England.

Indeed, the Church Commissioners is an immensely wealthy body, but does Mr Mercer realise that the income from its assets is primarily for the provision of clergy pensions, and support of clergy widows and children?

St Peter’s Churchyard is one of Bournemouth’s assets and as such is the collective responsibility of all its citizens.

DANIEL CAMPBELL, Ascham Road, Bournemouth