I WAS saddened to read of the death of Father Cyril Brooks. I and many fellow pedal cyclists had the pleasure of meeting and listening to him in 1990, when he was the guest preacher at the CTC's annual Coxwold church service.

Father Cyril's sermon that day went down as one of the most memorable in the 70-plus year history of the event. He almost had us rolling in the aisles at one point. His message was serious, yet was delivered in the style of an after-dinner speech, which remains strong in the memory of those who attended.

As the first Roman Catholic to preach at this inter-denominational service, he blazed another of the many trails, which marked his lifetime. Many readers will be grateful their lives were touched by this man.

Paul F. Hepworth,

Windmill Rise,

Holgate, York.

Updated: 12:41 Saturday, September 08, 2001