MADAM,

I am referring to the letter by Mr Wallace published on 18th January (‘Hell-bent on blocking playground’). I feel I must again point out that the reason children of Monmouth are having to use the play area at Chippenham Mead in its current condition, is because of the so-called Friends of Chippenham Mead (FOCM, of whom I assume Mr Wallace is a member or supporter).

Since 2014 FOCM have done their upmost to stop any refurbishment or modernisation (safety or otherwise) by giving out scaremongering information about a play area that has worked for more than 40 years.

The town council with the support for local residents democratically and with a good majority voted for the second time to modernise/ update your play area.

I hope Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) do not fall for the FOCM’s pretty but shallow report to move closer to Waitrose.

Unlike FOCM, Monmouthians are interested in protecting and saving the freedom of Open Space land for all, not just a few and visitors.

Residents must remember why they still have the Mead, because of town councillors and Monmothians who have fought for many, many years to protect it.

I and many others now expect MCC to back the democratic and majority discussion of the Monmouth Town Council and residents, and get on with refurbishing and modernising the play area and stop waisting time and money. I will fight the rest of my life to protect and stop any development or destruction of so much of one inch of Chippy.

RW Bradley

(Monmouth)