We are extremely sad to hear Dorchester Town councillors’ decision to abolish prayers and to scrap mayors’ chaplains.

We think this is a regressive step. Councillors appear to have voted for atheism at the exclusion of Christianity and other faiths. To dismiss prayers as outdated and irrelevant is an arrogant stance, which many people will find offensive.

We also feel that the choice of mayor’s chaplain, or no chaplain, should be made by the mayor before each mayor making.

As town council breaks with the church, a word of advice to mayor elect Coun Andy Canning.

You will be mayor to represent the whole community of Dor-chester. No party politics.

Remember the chain and the badge, not the holder, carries the standard.

We would like to see in the Echo councillors’ (not officers’) ans-wers to the following: Will the town council continue or not in civic services – ie Remembrance Day, D-Day, mayor’s service, etc? Will the mayor attend churches in their year of office?

Please, at full council, let us know who proposed and seconded the abolish motion.

Ten for, four against – who were the six that did not stand up to be counted? Names please.

John Antell Alexandra Road Dorchester Wally Gundry Eddison Avenue Dorchester (Former mayors of Dorchester)