SIR,

I would like to say a huge thank you to the traders in Church Street, the Punch House, the Kings Head and the other Monmouth pubs for brightening up our town with their colourful hanging baskets this summer.

Apart from a few lonely plantars near the pedestrian crossing and the baskets outside Handyman House, Monnow Street has remained dreary and austere throughout the summer, made worse by the increasing number of shops and business premises which have closed.

So much effort and funding was put into the Shire Hall, but hardly a flower in sight.

Not very welcoming to our many visitors.

Monmouth Town Council did raise our hopes earlier this year when the Environmental Committee agreed that this needed to be improved; little sign of that so far.

Neighbouring towns have put on great shows including Abergavenny which has looked lovely with its colourful containers and three-tier plantars throughout the town, and we are all familiar with the splendid display in Usk every year.

It seems there is a general apathy in our attractive and historic town where there are such opportunities for local businesses, organisations, community groups and schools to create or sponsor a floral display.

A group of U3A volunteers has worked tirelessly throughout the summer in the Nelson Garden to bring this hidden space back to life and use.

This is so enjoyable and rewarding and shows what can be done.

Come on Monmouth, get your act together and start planning a bright and vibrant high street for next year.

A Nelson Garden volunteer