Sir – I was interested to read the article in your sister paper the Oxford Mail, about the new assistant head custodian, Debbie, at Christ Church.

They never fail to give us a great welcome, and some of the veteran custodians Bill and Ferdie are indeed sadly missed.

It is surely a difficult job, in a very busy tourist season, to be both authoritative and pleasant at the same time. Sadly it is not the same always at the Cathedral; on Friday while visiting with a Japanese group, one of the greeters almost snatched the hat off one of the visitor’s head and most certainly uttered some rather sharp words.

May I remind the Cathedral that we always instill or impart the various customs of the country, church included, but some get lost in translation. A smile is a much greater and international greeting understood by all.

Angie Bell, Bampton