SIR,

Since the 17th century, tales of the fabled St Ann's Well or Virtuous Well at Trellech were to be heard in towns and villages across the country.

The water was claimed to have special healing powers for women's illnesses and for eye ailments.

The residents of Trellech have become concerned to find the level of water in the well has now dropped to the lowest anyone in living memory can ever remember.

Even in the drought of 1976 it was said there was plenty of water in the well throughout that long, hot summer.

Under normal conditions one could find upwards of two feet of water, but now only a mere four inches is to be found.

Is this a result of the dry summer or has some strange and unknown phenomena taken place below ground so as to divert the water course?

The associated stream that runs alongside is now reduced to a mere trickle.

Perhaps it is time to ask the environmental department at Monmouthshire County Council to investigate?

Peter Garwood

(Trellech)