Sir, – Thank you for your summary of the annual report for Stokesley and Seamer parish churches, but your Spectator’s Notes were a little harsh with the raw statistics for our “occasional offices” (baptisms, weddings, funerals).

For a country town and a small village in the North, Stokesley and Seamer’s recent occasional office figures have been surprisingly low, and I suspect there are a number of reasons for that which can be addressed.

Since I came back to the North-East and became rector here last September, there have already been signs of change, and I see no reason yet to say that “the Anglican Church is playing nothing more than a peripheral part in the lives of most Stokesley citizens” or that “the parish will be by no means unique”.

The church here welcomes those who seek its ministry. And yes, we’re addressing the money issues too!

THE REV PAUL HUTCHINSON Stokesley Rectory.