Letters, contributions and comments sent in to the Advertiser this week.

Historic church is thriving

Rev Richard Bray, rector, St Anne’s Church, Limehouse, writes:

Thank you for profiling the ongoing restoration of St Anne’s Limehouse (Historic St Anne’s church in danger of being lost to future generations).

I wouldn’t want anyone to think that St Anne’s is on the point of closure though - far from it!

The building has had 40 years of restoration so far (including major work since your photo of the interior was taken) and is the home to a thriving and growing congregation of around 100 adults and children each Sunday. We describe ourselves as, “A genuinely mixed East End church with a passion for straightforward Bible teaching.”

Everyone is warmly invited to come and see for themselves any Sunday at 10.30am and 6pm.

Is festival fair?

Moh Shah, Chrisp Street, Poplar, writes:

With regard to the upcoming Writeidea Festival, November 17 to 19, to be held at the Whitechapel Idea Store.

Does the mayor think its appropriate for what is public money being used to promote Brick Lane Book Shop? Not only in the thousands of booklets currently being distributed around Tower Hamlets, but also allowing the bookshop to trade for free at the event.

When you consider the business is owned by a serving councillor, former council leader and a close friend, ally and adviser to John Biggs, Denise Jones - this to many residents stinks of cronyism.

Yes, the bulk of the money may come from the Arts Council, but whatever angle you come from, this is tax payers money and should it be used to fund an independent business?

If Ms Jones wishes to promote her business and she is perfectly allowed to do this, she should contribute to the advertising and pay for use of the council buildings.

Would these opportunities be afforded to ordinary residents of the borough?