SIR,

When money drives most of the activity on the planet, it's essential that we understand it.

All of us, particularly in these straightened times, should be aware of how our banking system works, how it affects the economy and how we can change things to benefit us.

So it was great that this presentation in the Robin Hood last Wednesday was so well attended. Amongst the attendees were Pippa Barlotti, head of the Green Party in Wales, and Anthony Owen, who is one of Monmouth's town councillors and author of two books on Economics, the latest of which is entitled 'Fiddling with the Economy' (also available on pdf)

Justin, from the Welsh branch of Positive Money, known as 'Arian Wales', talked about how so much cash is being sucked out of the economy by the big banks, and how a change in the way money is controlled nationally is well overdue. He proposes amongst other things that a Welsh State bank would benefit the economy for small and medium sized businesses as well as the public in general. The talk was a real eye opener, demonstrating how the structure of Western economies has contributed so much to the financial problems we are now suffering and pointing out what we can do to help bring about real change.

If you were one of those unlucky not to have attended this interesting and informative talk, you can find out what it's all about at the Positive Money website: http://www.positivemoney.org">www.positivemoney.org

MONEW's Talk in the Town events run monthly and cover a wide range of topics of interest. If you'd like to come along and/ or discover more about the organisation, look us up on Facebook and join us next time.

Helen Atton

(Mitchel Troy)