Canon John Toy writes:

THE Revd Christina Rees gave an admirable account of the Revd Jean Mayland’s work for the ordination of women on the national and international scene but not much about her personal gifts in ministry where they lived (Gazette, 14 April). This story may illustrate one small aspect.

In 1982, Jean and Ralph moved to York Minster, when Ralph was appointed a Residentiary Canon as Treasurer. Jean came on to the team as Reader, later priest. When, in 1988, Archbishop Habgood appointed the outspoken traditionalist George Austin as Archdeacon of York, the latter showed that he had not yet given up his love of upsetting people when he preached his first sermon in the Minster attacking the present Church of England; it was a sermon that he had previously sent to the national papers. Jean was on the rota that day to lead the intercessions. She carefully and courteously managed to intercede in a way that demolished all the preacher’s assertions.