Thanks for the picture submitted to the Beacon by John Morgan last week which brought back happy memories of bygone childhood.

Recognised “The Turnpike Stores” which was kept by the family Thomas, eventually kept by son Les Thomas. Another uncle of Les kept a small shop in Drybridge St where the pedestrian crossing is now, opposite the vets.

Locals in their late seventies or eighties may recall the temporary bridge which was then to be replaced and extended to become the bypass, separating Chippenham and loss of our promenade with two seats, overlooking the Wye River (now the Wyebridge traffic light site), The Wyebridge Hotel by the Quay and Watkins Row.

I cannot recall any name given to the temporary bridge, but remember the ice cream from the Turn Pike store: think it was the first time we could buy same in Monmouth.

Sylvia Gilbert (Monmouth)