SIR,

In support of Phillip Munday's informed and composed letter, I should like to add the following comments.

For so many of us who have lived in this town and loved it, current measures have begun to threaten its identity in ways which may be impossible to reverse.

Local shops such as his, Stephen's Bookshop and others in Church Street rely heavily on their loyal customers and to deny them passing trade because of petty red-tape rules seems to me indefensible.

Monmouth has little left to distinguish it as a market town or as a community. To go into Church Street shops is to be treated as a friend and to receive perfect service. In a time of recession, should the Council not support rather than abandon its duty both to the local traders and to the town?

Margaret John

(Monmouth)