OVER the 30 years I have lived in Canada, I have urged many friends who are visiting the UK to make a point of visiting York Minster, including my Canadian son who took his new bride last month, because of its breathtaking beauty and tranquility.

It seems however that it no longer lives up to its reputation, as something is going on inside the Minster.

Even in business I find the practice of locking out workers is both demeaning and totally unnecessary.

To do so in a Christian place of worship to dedicated volunteers is inexcusable.

As a teenager I worked in the restaurant next to the Minster - Le Girondin in my day - and the Minster bells were the soundtrack to our Sundays.

I cannot imagine not hearing the bells at Christmas and New Year - the silence will be deafening.

The Dean needs to understand how much the bells are a part of life in York.

To silence them and break the tradition which ties us to our forefathers and the history of York rather than meet and talk with the bellringers is unfathomable.

The Dean was quoted as saying she understood the bellringers would be upset. Indeed from the petition and the people I have talked to it appears that thousands of people in York, the UK and around the world are upset.

Perhaps it is time to take another look at this situation and reassess.

Moira Morrison, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada