Let Hastings decide on the future of St Mary in the Castle soon

Well done Philip Oakley (last week’s Observer Opinion).

All your points are so relevant and deserve a meaningful response from our local councillors.

Those of us who fought to rescue this building from more than one ‘horrendous’ fate many years ago, did so because we recognised its tremendous architectural merit - ‘Second only- in East Sussex to Brighton Pavilion’, some have claimed, which could and should be providing the cultural base as described by Philip Oakley.

Time is running out- what we need - as soon as Covid-19 allows, is a well publicised public meeting to produce a future for this unique facility - our council owns this building- it has a duty on behalf of all borough citizens to get involved- take responsibility- recognise our tremendous asset, make provision for its future, involve residents and as Philip Oakley says ‘take it to the next level’!

• Talk is increasing of further lockdowns in the UK. What do you think of the situation? Join the Big Conversation and have your say on everything from healthcare to how the pandemic has affected you personally and how we make our communities stronger: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/bc-eastbourne