ROBERT Beaumont wrote: "Today, George Hudson's grave lies neglected and overgrown, in a corner of an unkempt graveyard at Scrayingham, near Malton. It would be wonderful if it could be cleaned up (September 27)".

I have grown weary of reading this in various extracts, articles etc since the publication of Mr Beaumont's biography of The Railway King.

Firstly, the said grave is most certainly neither neglected nor overgrown; it is swept and weeded regularly. This was done most recently about a week ago and on that occasion, by me.

Secondly, the grave is situated in the most prominent position in the churchyard; immediately to the west of the main door and against the south wall of the church itself. Anyone walking up the path cannot miss it.

Further, if Robert Beaumont had taken the trouble to visit Scrayingham church at any time within the past 18 months, he would know that a large proportion of the sizeable churchyard - and certainly that area around the Hudson grave - is mown every two weeks by one of the group of volunteers who care for the church.

Jenny Towse,

Churchwarden,

St Peter and St Paul, Scrayingham,

Leppington,

Malton.

Updated: 18:33 Friday, October 03, 2003