ALL shops are closed in Hereford City Centre on Easter Sunday because of Sabbath observance legislation. All very worthy of course, a ‘quiet’ day of the year.

I enjoyed walking around the town in the spring sunshine, but soon felt the need of a coffee. Normally this is no problem, cafes abound, but on this day there was nothing so almost abandoning the idea, I spotted a board outside the Cathedral saying teacakes, buns, coffee, tea and salads. All the weak and weary visitor could wish for – an oasis in a tea-shop-free town.

Amazing, and the only one. I was not complaining, I was grateful.

The situation was idyllic – organ sounds on the air, daffodils nodding in the breeze, but somehow I was a little uneasy, if not amused. There was an irony here surely.

As one lady nearby was heard to say to a member of staff while enjoying her Sunday paper and cigarette: “I was surprised to see you working today, everything is closed down in the town – and it was you lot who shut everything!”

Not quite accurate, but some truth perhaps.

A R BATEMAN, Newbury Park, Ledbury, Herefordshire.