SIR, Our town clerk (news in brief) distances the town council from Sue Chivers's criticism of the draping of a large plastic fish on the statue of Charles Rolls – although it was clearly Sue's personal opinion. As I've seen no similar disclaimers of councillors' letters to the Beacon, is the town clerk saying that the council takes an opposing view? If not, why single out Councillor Chivers's letter? Meanwhile, Caroline Roberts's charge of 'staid insistence on reverence' by Sue Chivers is unfair against a person who has had Monmouth at heart for so many years. Besides Sue's constructive contributions to Monmouth, she has always been amongst the forefront in the defence of our town – be it in attempts to save Monnow Bridge, the village green, the Catalpa tree, river frontages or the architecture and archaeology of Monmouth – then there was opposing the still illegal demolition of the Kwiksave building. It would be hard to find someone more devoted to our town. The fish incident may have been a bit of fun but to some of us it was not that different to bollards being put on Rolls's head by drunks, or a million miles away from whoever took a pot of paint and a brush to this fine memorial to one of our local heroes. Caroline sounds like a lively young woman who loves Monmouth so I hope that one day she will stand beside Sue Chivers in not only keeping Monmouth vibrant but also in keeping it a civilised place in which to live. Stephen Clarke (Monmouth)