YOUR correspondents who so dislike the sound of church bells might call to mind words of Dorothy L Sayers, one of the 20th Century's leading authors (particularly of detective fiction).

In her foreword to The Nine Tailors (1934) she wrote: "From time to time complaints are made about the ringing of church bells. It seems strange that a generation which tolerates the uproar of the internal combustion engine and the wailing of the jazz band should be so sensitive to the one loud noise that is made to the glory of God."

As to the tuneless cacophony of change-ringing, to use such an expression only betrays an ignorance of the art-form. This requires a considerable degree of mental concentration both for its attainment and for its appreciation.

Next time they hear the Priory bells ringing on their day of rest, they may reflect that England is a Christian country and, if it were not, Sunday would be a working day just like any other.

COURTNEY ATKINS, High Street, Ledbury.