AS a young lad living in Tottington, I was a member of the choir of the Parish Church of St Anne. I was also a member of the Cubs and other organisations, and remember going to jumble sales in the school-room and buying packets of comics for 1d.

My mother worked for Canon Rogers, prior to his marriage, and she attended St Anne's school. Quite a bit of our childhood was spent under the influence of the church, especially during the war years. In later years I was a member of the Parochial Church Council and even had the privilege of preaching there while I was reader at St John's Church.

Like many other people, I have a great affection for "th'owd church", and am deeply saddened by what is happening. I have not seen any of the proposals for the new building; I don't need to. What I do know is that bricks and mortar are not worth generating ill-feeling over, either real or imagined. There is bitterness creeping in now and there must be an amicable resolution before anyone feels they are a victim.

There must not be a repeat of events of 150 years ago, when effigies of the Rev Perry were burnt in the streets of Tottington. And his actions to warrant such outrage? Putting candles and a cross on the holy table, turning it into an altar.

Families were divided, PCC meetings were held in the lounge of the Red Lion pub facing the church. There was no reconciliation and as local mill owners were involved in the dispute, members of the congregation followed their bosses. Half left and worshipped in a room adapted at Tottington Mill and a Sunday school was held in a house in Old Doctor's Street.

Eventually, they bought a piece of land at the top of Kirklees Street and St John's Free Church of England was built. The first minister was Rev Brunskill, the great-grandfather of Marlon Brunskill, who died several years ago leaving a considerable amount of money to be used for the good of the people of Bury. What happened in those far-off days must not be allowed to happen again. There are still families split by that row. I have always known St Anne's to be a friendly church, a family church where there has always been a warm welcome. I love Tottington and do not want to see any splits.

I also love tradition, but I know that tradition can be used in two ways. It can bring stunted growth and destruction, or it can be used in a dynamic way as a basis for new ideas. And with the ever-increasing financial burden placed on congregations each year, churches do need to look for other ways of increasing income.

Over the past couple of years we have seen a magnificent initiative in Tottington, mainly due to Melvin Magnall who, I believe, should be knighted for what he achieved in reconciling Quakers in Tottington and Woodbury. That same spirit should be used to settle the present difficulties regarding St Anne's.

In order for the matter to be resolved amicably, there must be a willingness to give way and the longer it goes on the more difficult it will be. Perhaps it would be an idea to hold another meeting, ensure that the chairman is not involved with either party, and to stay until an agreement is reached!

JESSE RILEY,

Horridge Street, Woolfold, Bury.