MADAM,

Yet again Chippenham Mead is under attack from outsiders, now the so called ‘Friends of Chippenham Mead’ who want to move our play area from its present location “for more than 50 years” into the flood area on the Mead.

This is against all practicalities, Chippenham Mead does not need friends? It has protectors, Monmothians born and bred in and around Monmouth who really care about the history and the rights covering the Mead, those of us born here can understand why Waitrose would want the play area made closer to their store, they have according to the friends of Chippenham Mead given their support. I would like to know how and why.

There are other so-called groups who have and still are trying to split the Mead because of the dual carriageway A40 by calling the Mead between the rivers Wye and Monnow, the Millennium or two rivers fields. No, this area of land is and always will be Chippenham Mead and is covered by the same protective rights and covenants. The Mead has served Monmothians for hundreds of years as it is, so leave it alone – no more unwanted development.

I am also bewildered why Monmouthshire County Council is even considering wasting thousands of pounds of our money on this none-starter, it seems to be left to Monmothians and Natural Resources Wales to really protect our heritage.

R W Bradley

(Monmouth)