Sir,

David, my dear husband of 55 years, died a few weeks ago. He'd suffered from vascular dementia for a long time and needed watching 24 hours-a-day. When it became impossible to look after him at home, we applied for a place at Perrots Lodge, a respite centre in Haverfordwest. Here he got worse and they decided he should be assessed. It was arranged and he moved to St. Non's, a special centre, opposite Withybush Hospital, specialising in the care of EMI patients (Elderly Mentally Ill). I collapsed of heart and kidney failure which resulted in a 13-week stay in hospital, leaving my two sons, both living abroad, to sort things out.

David would never come home again. He needed 24-hour nursing care, as our kind, loving David now suffered paranoia, hallucinations and occasional bouts of violence.

Considering the lack of suitable facilities for EMI patients around Wales, we were very lucky to be offered a place for David at Brooklands nursing home, near Tenby. Now Brooklands is not just one house, one apartment or one bungalow. Brooklands is 40 homes for individual people, each with their own room, containing and surrounded by their most precious and treasured possessions.

Mr. and Mrs. Umanee, the owners, took over Brooklands 27 years ago, a small nine-bedroom home. Living on the premises and working all hours, they turned the home into what it is today: a well run facility where families are welcome anytime and always offered refreshments and a warm smile. Two vans are available for outings and appointments and a safe garden is there at the back to sit or walk in.

I cannot believe a 'tip' (that's what it is) is proposed next door to Brooklands! The edge is only 50 feet from three bedrooms to the left-side of the home. Sunken skips will be emptied at night and cars on the road running inside of the tip, can empty rubbish into them - rats and foxes will have a wonderful time.

We should be fighting to keep Brooklands and help expand it, not surround it with rubbish. What a good idea it would be if the present dump was pushed back into the Salterns or moved to another area as Mr. Calver mentioned, or maybe even near Manorbier. Lots of open space out there. We know all the plans to move and the sale of Merrimans field was planned several years ago, mostly conducted behind closed doors. Democracy is truly dead in Pembrokeshire!

Joyce Owen,

Broadwell Hayes,

Tenby.