Ron Holding and his wife Janette

• TOM Foot’s report on the court action and threatened eviction looming over retired school-keeper Ron Holding makes the blood boil, (Eviction threat for caretaker after 43 years at school, June 21).

What sort of sick, mean-minded society have we descended into? Those who have had associations with the school and adjacent church well know the extent of Mr Holding’s loyal, valuable, service to the community.

While he modestly mentions his involvement staging annual discos, he also personally ran juggling and circus skill classes after school; each year he designed and constructed the magical Santa’s grottos for the Christmas Fayre and, of his own initiative, heroically produced several Parent Pantos, hilariously offering up some of the worst demonstrations of ham acting and discordant singing ever witnessed.

Even supposing he were to have done nothing more than his contractual duty these past 43 years, that his employers should turn upon him and treat him in such a callous manner is a dire, shameful, indictment of the Church of England and the Diocese of London in particular.

One can only hope Camden Council offer the Holdings more than platitudes. Their assertion that Mr Holding has not been employed by Camden for the last four decades rather conflicts with his being presented with an award for being their longest serving employee.

The plot upon which the Holding family home stands is probably worth in excess of £2million. So, whether the diocese wishes to expand onto that plot or make a “killing” by selling it off to developers, it is this sum in their greedy sights.

Surely more effort and resources could be deployed to find a suitable home for Ron and Janette to retire to?

NICK WILLIAMS
Former St Paul’s School Governor & SMVPH Churchwarden