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Oxfordshire: | |
United Kingdom | Created: 10 Jul 2005 |
Vicar in church mobile mast row Mobile phone operators have disputed safety fears about masts A vicar has angered parishioners by supporting a plan to erect a mobile phone mast on a church spire. The congregation has collected 500 signatures calling on the church to scrap the plan, which they say is inappropriate at a consecrated site. But the Rev Elaine Bardwell says the mast at St Michael and All Angels in New Marston, Oxford, would help raise much-needed church funds. The Oxford diocese says it is a parish matter that must be decided locally. 'Modern church' Opponents of the plan say they are also concerned about the possible health impact of a mast, although risks have been disputed by mobile phone operators. Rev Bardwell told the BBC: "We are a modern building, we are a modern church, we live in the real world and we think it is a good place for the mast. "We have had a series of public meetings and listened to all the views expressed and will be keeping a very close eye on the health and safety issues involved." Anne Furtado, who lives near the church, said: "More people have signed that petition than go to the church on a Sunday. "I don't understand how they cannot pay any attention at all to what the people who have signed think." BBC New Online 31st may 2005 |
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