Sir,

I would like to apologise for any misunderstandings and unintentional offence caused by my letter 'Do God and Hot Dogs Go Together?' published in the Tenby Observer of June 13.

As there is also an ice cream vendor, with a similar stand to Jac's hot dog vendor, in Tenby this season, it was my impression that they were both part of a larger business enterprise of which Jac and the young man selling ices were employees, not proprietors. Until the 'Young Trader Jac is Top Dog' article appeared on the front page of the Tenby Observer of June 20, I had no idea that he had bought the hot dog vendor or any other details of his business: I do wonder how people who responded to my letter became aware of the real state of affairs ahead of this article appearing. Perhaps some of the letter writers (apart, obviously, from Jac's mother) are friends and neighbours of the family or perhaps they chatted to Jac about his business whilst purchasing hot dogs? I did not have the occasion to do this as I do not eat hot dogs (no reflection on Jac's product or the tastes of those who do eat them intended).

Once I became aware of the situation, I apologised to Jac for not having 'had a quiet word with him' rather than writing a letter to the press about my objections. We shook hands and Jac said that the publicity had 'probably not done him any harm'... perhaps it may even have increased his sales!

I am sorry to have unwittingly given the impression that I am a member of St. Mary's, which I am not, nor, indeed, a practising Christian. I spoke only for myself when I expressed my complaint about a commercial enterprise taking place right outside the church. It is still my view that this is inappropriate... surely The Esplanade, as used by the ice cream vendor, would be an equally profitable pitch for Jac, rather than outside the church.

In the past, I wrote to the Tenby Observer to register my concern about a live rock band playing adjacent to St. Mary's. I received no response then... as with any of the letters I have regularly sent into the Tenby Observer over the years regarding issues I consider significant for Tenby. It was a surprise, therefore, to receive five letters in response to my 'God and Hot Dogs' letter. I see the Tenby Observer's letters page as a forum for healthy discussion and debate about local issues leading to the possibility of improvements to community life where there is consensus and action is felt to be needed.

I do applaud Jac's enterprise, but, such is my respect for and interest in, world religions, a number of which I have explored as part of my personal spiritual journey, I would always feel unhappy about profit-making ventures occurring on their 'doorsteps', so to speak. Since there have been several Biblical allusions in this correspondence about God and hot dogs, I would remind correspondents of Christ's anger upon finding money lenders in the temple: at the time of His Ministry this would have meant the outer precincts and not the inner sanctuary of the temple.

Anne-Ruth Alton, Tenby.