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Managing bats — but are they better-treated than congregations?

From the Revd Martin Snellgrove
Sir, — You report (News, 25 April) on Bats in Churches: A management guide. It appears that bats are a protected species because they are endangered. May I suggest that they are not the only group under threat.

Small congregations in churches infested by bats have a claim to be included, because the effort of keeping their buildings clean from the effects of the bats can prove one pressure too many. In a saner world, the people for whom a building is primarily intended should have priority over any other species.

MARTIN SNELLGROVE
The Rectory, Kiln Lane, Hope
Flintshire LL12 9PH

From the Revd Dr Michael Perry
Sir, — I welcome Natural England’s new bat guide. Bats can be a problem, but are also an opportunity. Let’s celebrate them with colourful displays of the species found in our churches, and summer bat watches. That way we engage with the wider community, and they in turn engage with God’s creation and the Church. We will also recruit more willing helpers, should there be any mess.

MICHAEL PERRY
The Rectory, Englands Lane
Queen Camel, Yeovil
Somerset BA22 7NN



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