[Jerome Betts]

Which church in Hereford was it, Ann? St Peter's or All Saints? (Though I think the pews have gone from the latter.)

[Ann Drysdale]

St Peter's. Vicar Bill. Among the artwork on display was a wonderful sculpture of Jesus with chickens perching on his outstretched arms and a grin on his face that made my heart happy. But some said it was sacrilegious so it had to go.

[Jerome Betts]

Thanks for identifying the echoing church, Ann. Glad you were able to stop the escapees in their tracks. Talking of church acoustics, the early 19th century incumbent of St Peter's who preceded the philanthropic John Venn had a weak voice. At a cost of £200 he installed an example of the elaborate paraboidal sounding-board system invented by the Cambridge professor the Revd William Farish. When John Venn, who had a powerful voice, arrived in 1833 he found his view of his audience blocked by a sort of six-foot long wooden hutch, his head occupying the acoustic focus. While his words were blasted down to the end of the nave, he in return heard every whisper from the congregation. He had the device removed as soon as decently possible.