After reading the Malmesbury Gazette and Herald dated Thursday, December 18, I wish to respond to the headline "Vicar's attack on abbey fund crisis".

Having liaised with the Church of England throughout my professional capacity for over 14 years, I was shocked to read the comments from retired vicar, the Reverend Peter Yacomeni.

From the young to the old, we all know the Church has faced less support recently.

The Church was traditionally the heart of the community, bringing families and people together for worship and social activities.

Modern living has resulted in the amount of time people can devote to the Church decreasing due to work commitments, which force people to move away from their local communities and result in families having less time together.

I understand Mr Yacomeni's concern about the financial pressures faced by the Church, but I feel a positive attitude is required in order to receive support for the Church. Negative comments such as asking parishioners to consider their position in the Church and perhaps look for another place of worship can only be detrimental to the cause.

Surely we should all unite together and encourage more

people to support the unique abbey we're so privileged to have in our town.

I'm pleased to see the appointment of new vicar the Reverend Neill Archer, who I'm sure will bring new ideas, keeping in touch with the community in modern times.

We need a positive attitude for the Church to move forward and to relieve the financial pressures it's faced with.

I wish to congratulate the new vicar on his appointment, and

welcome him, as I'm sure the rest of our Malmesbury community will.

A positive outlook to the future will surely give us hope and encouragement.

J BEESLEY

Gloucester Road

Malmesbury