Put your money where your mouth is!

The Church of England is often treated as if it were just a branch of the heritage industry, but it is not.

It does, however, have to pay its way. This is difficult because although it is asset rich it is cash poor.

It can be seen to be cash poor in the salaries it pays to its staff and in the return on investments received by the Church Commissioners.

This is true notwithstanding the relatively trivial amounts that may or may not have been wisely spent in the past.

It is asset rich in its buildings and libraries.

One can be converted to the other by selling the assets (which would be approved of by the Founder) or charging for access to buildings (which would probably not). If it tries either - or both - it get the sort of press witnessed in the past few weeks.

The debate needs to move on. The Minster - and its library - are a considerable asset to all the people of York, even if they never go in. Our property is more valuable, business activity higher and employment opportunities greater than would be the case if it did not exist. Clearly a cash grant, either individual or corporate, to the Minster and its library is necessary and justified to maintain the status quo. In other words, put your money where your mouth is!

J B Cookson,

Bishopthorpe Road,

York.

...THE solution to York Minster's debt problem isn't admission fees but a yearly grant from the National Lottery.

A Yorkshire institution which was once very lovely has become yet another rip-off.

Aled Jones,

Mount Crescent,

Bridlington.

Updated: 11:30 Thursday, June 26, 2003