Letter from John H. G. Oglander, Nunwell, Brading, I.W., to the Bishop of Winchester

"Complaints still reach me with regard to St. Peters Chapel, Seaview. I am told on good authority that the litany has not been said there since last September and that on Whitsunday a congregation of some 50 persons assembled for early communion but no minister attended and they disperced. With respect to the fabric, I am told it is dirty in the interior and I see it on the outside and I see that the east window is broken and the railings round the ground attached - broken and neglected - damage being patched with what appears to be part of an old bedstead. I am the freeholder of the fabric - It is subject to a rent charge of £13. Mr. Glynn is, I believe, the surviving assignee of the lease and has allowed the vicar possession of the building on his undertaking to discharge the services, burdens, etc. The ground attached is leased for ornamental shrubbery, but is used for growing potatoes, etc. The adjacent school building is let by me to the Vicar and others as yearly tenants at rent of £10. In consideration of the use of these buildings in connection with the Church of England, I have for many years directed my agent not to press for rent of church (further than was necessary to preserve rights of my settled estate) The school rent has been paid, but returned with a further sum, as subscription by me. The arrears of rent would now, I believe, exceed £100. About 3 months since I wrote to the vicar informing him that in consequence of the state of the church, I had directed my agent to collect the rent and enforce the covenants, but that I was willing to give the money to church purposes at Seaview in the event of a district being formed. He has not replied to my letter. The lessee (W. Glynn) declines to take action and I am advised my only course is to seize the property in the building for rent or recover possession in the event(which is the case) of it being insufficient to discharge the rent. I regret having to take such measures and have waited with some patience trusting that the vicar might have yielded to the influence of your Lordship, who extends to him the indulgence of extra parochial residence. I forsee that my action may result in the building being closed for Church of England service and wish I could see any other course which in the interests of the inhabitants of Seaview and of my property there would terminate the existing state of things. So before proceeding have thought it right to inform your Lordship of the position of matters."

Endorsed " Added names and addresses of parishioners and resident Sir W. & Lady Hunt Grubbe, Mrs. Lawson, Mr. & Mrs. Brooke, Mr. Ring, Captain Sam Mathews, Madeira Road, Mr. Watson (House Agent)."

(102/612)