SIR,

If you have the space may we, through your columns, record our gratitude to the residents of the town and its visitors for their wonderful generosity on Saturday 21st December?

They kindly donated a massive £824.91 which is a record amount for non-disaster collections by Rotary and shows how charitable people can be despite the hardships increasingly felt by many.

Parsons Bakery, who are new traders in Monmouth, also deserve thanks as they kindly afforded us access to free power for the music played as Santa met so many children and took their wish lists for the big day.

Peter Walters

(Secretary,

Monmouth Rotary Club)