HOW fortunate Ms Russell is that her relatives’ headstones have not been damaged by the sheep (DST, June 12). Our family headstone was repaired last year after a flock of sheep had been grazing, only to find the sheep have loosened the stone on the plinth once more.

Since Ms Russell is a member of the parochial church council (PCC), we would like to ask who finances any repairs to the damage caused by the sheep: is it the PCC or the owner of the sheep?

It is well known that sheep are far more interested in the short grass which is mainly on the tended graves which defeats the objective of the sheep keeping the long grass on the older graves in order.

We also found it most distressing to find a headstone strewn across our relative’s grave – the headstone belonged to the grave in front. The sheep had pushed this over. We have the photograph if the PCC would like to view it or maybe would like to discuss the damage.

This headstone has been put back up, like several others. We have concerns about the stability of these stones.

We remember when sheep the Reverend David Eyles introduced four to six the sheep into the graveyard – not 20, as it has been this year – and he had the respect to graze sheep on the very old graves, not graves that have been in there for two weeks. Grieving relatives were his priority not the grass.

As for the suggestion that modern headstones are not as well erected as the older ones, graveyard not farmyard springs to mind. We would urge anybody who has a headstone in Well graveyard to check it for damage and stability.

Christine Fryatt, Well.