Bierton Strict and Particular Baptists, 3rd Ed, by David Clarke

181 He said the welcoming of Father Plourde and Methodist minister the Rev Donald Lee on Saturday last week was part of a move to bring the churches together.

Mr Clarke of Aylesbury Road, Bierton Buckinghamshire, who sometimes preaches in the Luton Area, said he was saved from a life of crime and drug taking through Jesus Christ spoke to him when experiencing a bad LSD Trip.

I had some opposition and response via The Bucks Herald, our local paper and these are: Thursday 20th October 1983 An Evil Wind Is Blowing Sir, - It was a feeling of sick despair, all to often felt in these times, that I read in this weeks issue of your paper the account of David Clarke’s conduct in St Albans Abbey.

In his position as a preacher at his local church he has maybe raised doubt in the minds of many and laid his own church open to criticism and most unfairly There is and evil wind blowing through the world and the despairing cries of victims caught in the midst of sectarian wars. Above their cries are heard louder voices declaiming “We do this for God” and each names God in different tongues.

Men and women of good faith striving for peace and brotherhood brought about the delicate and vulnerable progress towards unification of the various denominations slowly and arduously. Such a balance could be disturbed and for what purpose? Search the bible that you are so prominently featured holding, Mr. Clarke and there you find that Jesus preached love, compassion and tolerance. Not the condemning of hatred against those of us, of every faith and creed, who are still striving towards further enlightenment.

Christ’s teachings are simple and clear cut. Are you certain you are following the true leader?

Mrs.. Cecilia Brooks 30 York Place, Aylesbury.

NEWS/GAZETTE, October 20, 1983 Teachers Protest Another upset person also wrote the following in the same paper: Playing “Fantastic tricks” Sir, - Like myself, many of your readers must have been filled with dismay to see your recent headlines “Anti - Pope rumpus in Abbey”.

They must also have regretted that, when the two great Christian leaders, the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury, are striving to promote peace and understanding between religious denominations, well- meaning but fanatics should seek to destroy their endeavours.