Sir,

I agree with Peter Osborne (last week's Letters page) that the floral displays this year in Tenby have not been up to the previous standard, and I am not at all surprised that we failed to win our 'usual' award. I suggest that one of the reasons for the lack of support by some town centre businesses could have been the negative feelings inspired by their opposition to the summer pedestrianisation scheme, instead of considering the potential benefits that two months of 'cafe culture' could bring to town centre trade.

The areas that have been planted up - like the seating area in front of Smiths, the Memorial Gardens, of course, the small display bed on The Croft, St. Florence Parade (hanging baskets) and the Esplanade, to name a few - do enhance the centre, but a lot of Tenby's floral beauty is down to the efforts of individual householders, who take the trouble to decorate their forecourts and gardens with colourful displays for the benefit of passers-by.

I personally am always cheered on my walks down into town by the very pretty display outside Zion House on The Norton, and there are many other examples of individual attempts to brighten up our town. But why was nothing done in the popular seating area below the Museum, where the schoolchildren's sculptures are proudly displayed? The beds there haven't even been weeded, let alone planted up.

However, what I would really like to see is a thorough clean down lower Narberth Road (north side), which has got into a disgusting state through lack of attention. There are brambles hanging down, the path is clogged with the decayed vegetable matter of several seasons, weeds and ivy proliferate and branches overhang. The two benches that used to provide a welcome rest at the Silent World turning have rotted away and the whole area is dirty, gloomy and smelly. The drains are almost blocked with previous seasons' leaves and the local authority seems reluctant to do anything about it.

To my mind it is nonsensical to concentrate all resources on planting up a few flower beds and hanging baskets when one of our main thoroughfares is so dirty and neglected. Readers probably have views on other areas of the town in need of similar attention, and surely a tidy, well-kept town, including its approaches, is infinitely preferable to the sight of a few flower displays in a setting of overgrown trees and bushes, ivy, weeds and dirt.

Whilst the efforts of private garden owners are not perceived by Mr. Osborne to 'contribute to the town's achievement', we do at least understand the importance of cleanliness and tidiness. Tenby can regain its crown next year, but rewards never come easy.

Janice Gryckiewicz,

Seascape,

Tenby.