SIR,

Referring to the letter by Mr RW Bradley in last week's Beacon. I am sure there are many people like me who are intrigued by the term 'true Monmothian'.

As an immigrant Welshman who has lived in Monmouthshire for over 60 years, am I a Monmothian?

Many children born in the 1950s could have been born in Usk or Abergavenny maternity hospitals, my children were born in Abergavenny and educated at Monmouth Comprehensive School, are they Monmothians?

My eldest son is a Don in a foreign university, having to learn their bilingual languages. My second son has remained in Monmouth for 53 years. Are they each Monmothians?

A world renowned born in Monmouthshire, educated at Monmouth Comprehensive School, is now retained by the US Government as an advisor on atomic energy. Is he a Monmothian?

A few years ago he was featured in the Beacon, which outlined that he was attributed with having written more than 200 publications.

The only reference I can find of a Monmothian is an Old Boys' club of Monmouth School.

Ed Bayliss

(Usk)