I have resided in Midanbury all of my 63 years and have lived through the changes.

It was an idyllic location for a childhood upbringing. For in the 50s until early 60s it was brickfields, countryside and a lovely old working farm (Townhill Farm) that gave way to further green fields for what to us seemed like miles.

Then around 1964 much of our “natural” playground was developed for the building of the council estate and the rest of the mini green belt eventually, over time, became Chartwell.

Midanbury still though, for many years, had a favourite watering hole The Castle Inn. That is until it seemingly became rundown, as Tesco waited in the wings and swooped for the site as they do, to convert the premises.

So then, another treasured landmark from my past – gone. In fact I could never understand that due to its setting, looking high over the surrounding landscape, and also its one-time popularity, why it didn’t become a very successful pub/restaurant for one of the chains.

Now it seems Midanbury is to lose another grand old landmark, All Hallows Church. During the 60s, Benham’s Farm – then also the entrance to Brown & Harrisons Dairy – was situated opposite. A goat was kept in the grounds, a familiar sight and sound as you strolled by. All charmingly rural.

It looks as if the Lord above has already ceased doing business at the nicely designed red-brick church, extended from the original church hall in the mid-60s.

The Echo in fact displays an article and photo in a September 1965 edition of the paper, showing the construction of the ‘new’ church and steeple supported by its scaffolding.

I’m respectful of religion rather than deeply religious, but churches are often wonderful buildings and of course very peaceful.

Should the site of All Hallows become more flats or shops it will be another sad day.

A day when the area will still further lose more of its former character and a little more of its soul.