SIR, Thanks to all the property owners who gave permission to open their properties freely to the public, and to the many people who spent time stewarding, on the European Heritage days last Saturday (6th September) and Sunday (7th September). Mostly these open days offer two or three buildings for the public to visit, but Monmouth Open Doors is different. Our town offers 16 buildings for people to see, and they were all busy over the Open Doors weekend. The weather was good, and there were people wandering all over town clutching the maps and handouts and just enjoying the opportunity. Over 2,600 visits were made though it isn't the numbers which matter but the pleasure the visitors clearly gained from the event. It was especially good to see the large numbers arriving to see the exciting medieval turret recently found in the Masonic Lodge, the large proportion of those visiting Great Castle House who also visited the Regimental Museum, the 44 visitors which Jane Harvey squeezed into Cornwall House on one tour, and those enjoying the music in the Nelson Garden and at the Kymin. All venues did well, and both entertained and educated their visitors. The visitors were mostly from Monmouth of course but there were plenty from all over Britain and abroad. The group from Inner Mongolia who watched the recorder concert in the Nelson Garden were more exotic than most, but Monmouth is clearly on the global tourist route. Thanks to Mandarin Stone, the Town Council and the Beacon for supporting the event, which was part of Cadw's overall direction of Heritage Days in Wales. Phil Bly (Secretary Monmouth Civic Society)