I have raised the deplorable state of St Patrick's cemetery, Leytonstone — to which you refer In your issue of November 12 — in my parish council and through them in Newham Deanery Council.
Although all the clergy are concerned about the conditions there, nothing seems to be done about improving them. The only explanation I have heard is that the cemetery is now administered by an insurance company.
Before the war we understood that the income from the cemetery charges were devoted to the maintenance of retired clergy. I am open to correction, but I think I am right in saying there was an annual collection in parishes in the catch. ment area to help with the upkeep of the two cemeteries.
One might be forgivdn for thinking that, having met any corn• mitments, the more economies made in the administration of the cemetery the more the jprofit for the insurance company: if there are no such profits a case could then be made for an annual collection.
One other point needs to be made. some sections of the cemetery are now being reclaimed but there is no sign of any planning — new paths or roads being laid out. Why is this?
F. Smyth London, E16.