I WAS delighted to see that St Andrew’s church, in the lovely Bowland village of Slaidburn, the parish church of Slaidburn with Tosside, was featured in this week’s Craven Herald (November 12).

I was Rector there for four and a half years until I retired earlier this year. Quite plain from the outside, due to the Victorians covering most of the building in cement rendering no doubt to stop this ingress of water, the church is famed for its woodwork, hence its Grade 1 listing.

Box pews from the 17th and 18th centuries fill the east end of the church and there is a fine chancel screen from 1634.

Pride of place goes to the oak Georgian three-decker pulpit of 1740. Historic as the woodwork may be, it is the east window of 1848 that is a shear delight depicting the nativity and the visit of the shepherds and wise men.

Due to my retirement the parish is in interregnum (between parish priests) but it is hoped a new Rector will be appointed not too far into the New Year.

Jonathan Oldfield

Bentham