Anonymity is granted only at the discretion of the editor, who also reserves the right to edit letters.

What does future hold?

As a young boy, I would spend hours alone train-spotting perched on the graveyard wall of St Mark’s Church. I would occasionally think to myself; when I die this is where I want to be buried.

I find it strange the Church of England has acquired a Grade II listed building only yards away from St Mark’s, which is to be named the Pattern Church. The cost of the sale between the Swindon Borough Council and the C of E hasn’t been disclosed. However, I seem to remember the grade 2 listed Mechanics’ Institute building being sold for £1.

Forward planning shows the TA Centre in Church Place is to be relocated. The Diocese of Bristol - which St Mark’s comes under - says it will support the regeneration of the area, so where does that leave St Mark’s in the bigger picture?

There was once a substantial-sized church in the Swindon town centre by the name of St Paul’s. The Edgeware Road church was united with St Mark’s in 1965. It was demolished in the same year to make way for the regeneration of the area and the land was sold to Woolworth & Co.

I think the primary motive was to get it down before any real protests gathered momentum.

I read the following words and they’re supposed to be the general view of developers when they encounter old graveyards.

“Some would argue the whole thing about burial is actually more for the benefit of the living than the dead. Once the living connection is lost, then you lose completely the reason to rest in peace in that particular way.”

William Abraham, Rodbourne

Nothing like a city

Here we go again with the whole “city status” debate.

One would only need to nip down the M4 to Bristol to see that we are nowhere near achieving such status. The town centre is a most unforgettable experience. Any out of town visitors would not come back in a hurry if they had the misfortune of visiting it. What about our desire for historic buildings? The Mechanics Institute and the Locarno in Old Town are just two of our treasured buildings that have been allowed to deteriorate to near destruction.

There is no denying our jewel in the crown is the Outlet Village, but unfortunately it is a rose amongst many thorns.

If we are serious about city status we should explore all avenues to expand the Outlet Village and to connect it to the town centre. The infrastructure is already in place with the bus and train stations being near. This however would need a dynamic and forward-thinking strategy from our council. I won’t hold my breath!

Linda Collins, Cookham Road, Oakhurst

Same old, same old

I have recently returned to Swindon after a few years away. My word. how boring has become the Adver’s letters page. Where have the decent writers gone? Same old tired writers! All we seem to have are the usual yawn yawn yawn correspondents.

The Adver needs to get the provocative writers back.

Steve Nibbs, Milton Road, Swindon