SIR: How sad that the Cathedral authorities have removed seats outside the Cathedral yet are now encouraging the return of more and more parked cars in exactly the same spot. One of the pleasant changes this last year has been the peaceful nature of the Cathedral precincts without those parked cars. I took this picture on Monday March 1.

Patrick Davies,

Staple Gardens,

Winchester

SIR: Your piece last week regarding the removal of benches from the Cathedral Close failed to highlight the inconvenience of the measure for older people in the city, of whom there are many, and the sheer stupidity of this ill-judged move.

The Church of England has hardly covered itself in glory during the pandemic, closing its doors at a time of greatest need and even now opening at best for just a few hours a day and doing everything to discourage an atmosphere of contemplation, at a time people need it most. Yet the Cathedral management’s decision to remove benches - to “discourage people gathering” - has had the opposite effect. Older people have been obliged to squeeze onto the benches in front of the Cathedral even if others are sitting there - putting themselves at risk - whilst groups of young people continue anyway to gather where the old benches were, ignoring social distancing.

Time, I think, to put the benches back and stop the silly gesture decisions.

Justin Keay,

Chapel Lane,

Otterbourne