THE proposed sale of the Burges font in St Peter's Church, Draycott, raises a larger and fundamental issue, that of saving our rural parish churches for

THE proposed sale of the Burges font in St Peter's Church, Draycott, raises a larger and fundamental issue, that of saving our rural parish churches for future generations to enjoy either as places in which to worship God, or as places to visit to enjoy and learn about our heritage, or as centres of community physical, social and spiritual. We are all agreed that the buildings must survive. They are best preserved by being used as they were used in the days of their prime for community use as well as for the worship of God. There are so many people who want to see our precious heritage saved. It is highly undesirable that they would be denuded of the very item that make them worthy of visiting but that is what is happening at St Peter's, Draycott. It must not happen. There are organisations which set out to help with the repair of churches to keep them weatherproof and in business. One such is the trust Friends of Somerset Churches and Chapels. If readers are concerned for the future of our village churches, I urge them to join without delay. Annual membership costs £10 and family membership £15. An application form can be downloaded from the Trust's website at wwwfscandc.org.uk or can be obtained from The Membership Secretary, FSCC, 3 Glastonbury Road, Wells, Somerset, BA5 1TW. I look forward to hearing that you, reader, have joined.HUGH PLAYFAIR - Immediate Past Chairman, Friends of Somerset Churches and Chapels