WHILE I must congratulate Paul Smith-Wightman's new enterprise after a long spell off work because of a back injury, I was a little concerned about his gravestone cleaning.
I appreciate that relatives of the deceased may like a pristine,shiny gravestone. However, churches, gravestones and memorials are hosts to a wide range of lichens.
These fascinating organisms with their many different colours (orange, yellow, brown, green, black and white) are often very beautiful and generally add to the interest of stonework.
In lowland areas without much natural stone they provide a refuge for many lichens that would not normally grow in the area.
A good churchyard can have over 100 species of lichen and a Devon churchyard average is 70-80.
I wish Mr Smith-Wightman well but hope he does not clean off too many old gravestones.
Bob Hodgson
British Lichen Society
Yelverton