SIR,

Prior to the Town Council's campaign to have the Jobcentre re-opened, I had written to the Welsh Assembly Government with the same demand.

The questions I posed were: Why was it allowed to close in the first place, whose decision was it and did the Town Council have any say in the matter?

The grandparent's letter in last week's Beacon expressed exactly my family's experiences. Young people can lose income having to travel to distant towns to chase non-existent work.

In the early nineties I supported the march through the town in support of the miners and jobs for Monmouth, the first in the town's history.

Nothing has been done to increase job opportunities since those days and, as everyone knows, the position has worsened in recent times.

When I came to the town to live in the early sixties we had a strong Trades Council here. Had there been one now I am sure this problem would not have arisen.

It's high time workers had a strong voice in local affairs and, to this end, I propose the setting up of a Trades Council once again.

I urge anyone interested to contact me on 01600 714849.

N.C.Lewis

(Monmouth)