I WRITE with reference to the headstone for Billy Winter. Churchill Parish Council has never refused to allow the Winter family to erect a headstone on the grave of its stillborn son. When the request for the headstone came to me from the monumental mason

I WRITE with reference to the headstone for Billy Winter.Churchill Parish Council has never refused to allow the Winter family to erect a headstone on the grave of its stillborn son.When the request for the headstone came to me from the monumental mason I informed the parish council of the proposed design, which included an inscription, a verse, a motif of carved, coloured ducks and two ceramic photographs, one of Billy and one of his nine brothers and sisters. The matter was discussed at a full parish council meeting and it was agreed that, as the rules for the burial ground are the same as for those in the churchyard next door, it was not possible for the photographs to be allowed on the headstone. The rest of the proposed design for the headstone has been accepted.LINDSAY IRELAND - Clerk to the Council