The Revd Robin Brown writes:

FURTHER to your obituary of Canon David Wingate (Gazette, 26 July), a year or two after he retired, David arrived one Sunday at a large city church, complete, of course, with beard and dog (perhaps not still Tess), and wearing a rather ancient coat.

"Sorry, sir," said the person on duty. "You can't bring your dog in here: we're about to begin a service."

"This dog", David said, holding out his hand for service books, "is probably better behaved in church than most of your congregation."

Some time later, the pair of them arrived at our tiny church, and were at once welcomed with open arms. I shall never forget David's pleasure when I passed the peace with his dog: "That's a first!" he said; and, naturally, I called her up for a blessing when David received his communion.

Seen once: never forgotten.