AN ANCIENT CHURCH?

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20706, 2 May 1929, Page 18

AN ANCIENT CHURCH?

CLOSING OF THE DRIVE. ABUSES BY PICNICKERS. ' Strong resentment is felt in Torquay at the action of the Lord of the Manor of Cockington, Mr R. Maltock, who recently came of age, in restricting the use of the drive which passes through the grounds of Cockington Court to the wonderful old eleventh-century parish church. The drive has been closed to vehicles and to pedestrians other than parishioners. Even parishioners are prevented from visiting the church at other than service hours without making special application to the estate agent. It is also laid down that in the case of weddings only the vehicles occupied by the bride and bridegroom are to be permitted inside the entrance gates. At funerals only the vehicle with the coflin will be allowed to enter. The parishioners claim that there is a right of way to the church, and the vicar, the Rev. H. C. Stnddy. describes the action of Air Mallock as an infringement of the rights of the parishioners. The Church Council has instructed a local solicitor to take steps to obtain a High Court declaration that there is right of access for vehicles and pedestrians. The reason given by Air ll Matlock for the steps he has taken is that the occupants of his seat wish to protect themselves against excursionists who hold picnics in the grounds, litter the place with rubbish, make objectionable noises, find act in s manner inconsistent with the privileges given them. Cockington Church and the ancient forge close by are two of Torquay’s most, chiii-i-iino- features.