Sir,

I agree with several points made by Joanna Handley and Michael Mortimer in last week's letters page of the Beacon.

Owning land abutting the town has advantages and disadvantages. This area has certainly become more park like in my years of knowing it.

Dogs out of control and worrying livestock is to be deplored, as is leaving litter and speeding vehicles.

The vast majority of people who use this area are decent and their very presence encourages the minority to moderate their behavior.

My main interest is the river bank between the two bridges, now rarely walked.

The river varies in its landscape with many points of access to the waters edge, and much wildlife to be observed.

Indeed in the late 18th century John Tibbs, landlord of The Beaufort Inn, had the footbridge built so that the public might enjoy the bowling greens, gardens and riverside walks.

Among distinguished visitors was John Westley (1784).

The footbridge has been rebuilt many times but it still bears the name of the original (Tibbs bridge) as a brass plaque on it indicates.

Many people responded to my original letter of the 18th July, and I thank them for their support.

It seems unlikely however that without the generosity of the land owner that this route could become an official footpath.

Nicholas Frost

(Monmouth)