REFERENCE Ms Keelan's letter on prayers before council meetings (February 16). Yes, there is certainly a benefit to a collective moment of quiet reflection before the business of the day as West Devon Borough Council agreed unanimously some two years ago as a result of a successful motion brought by myself in challenging the National Secular Society's very narrow strictures.

So currently it is a bit of a moot point as to whether it is within or without a formal agenda. But I would offer the more experienced, nay possibly softer, approach to that of her offering:

'As a councillor, I wish to get the best for the ward that entrusted me to represent it on this council and look for spiritual guidance from without myself. I acknowledge that not all my residents voted for me, and that there is a diversity of opinion within my ward on many issues. But I will strive to represent all to the best of my ability. I will also work with other councillors in pursuing my objectives although we may be from different political, social, religious or otherwise, and ethnic backgrounds.

'Where issues of a local importance occur and they are subject to wider considerations, particularly the requirements of other public service providers and national governments of whatever hue, I will still strongly advocate local need because only in that way will I influence change even if I presently lose the argument.

'I accept that I may not be able to please all the people all of the time, but where there are strong reservations as to my approach I would hope to empower those objectors by reasoned and thoughtful argument.'

It worked for me for l6 years.

Margaret Garton

Former Independent Councillor

AS a Christian for sixty years, I feel sad and sorry for the wretched individual who just cannot stomach two or three minutes of prayers prior to Bideford Council meetings.

Nobody would wish to inflict anything on anybody, as we have all been born with the gift of free will.

If you want to read the newspapers, or wash the car, or go shopping on a Sunday, instead of attending church, that is the right of everyone! But to seek to destroy something that is part of our fabric and heritage as a country, observed by both monarch and governments, is totally out of order!

What do others readers think?

Tony Smith

Lydford