Sir,
Recently I walked through Tenby, as I often do, and was quite astounded at the state of the town. I had never really noticed it before, but, on taking a closer look, the place appears to be in a terrible state of disrepair.
I parked at the top of The Norton, and it didn't take long for me to find the first problem, although I hasten to add that this particular problem runs right through the town and is not just present here. Paths are either overgrown with weeds so they are only a proportion of the width that they should be, or, in the case of paths bordered by walls, the foot of the wall provides a home for numerous reasonably well established weeds.
The next complaint is not very far away. The gardens opposite the block of flats are looking shabby: the grass is uncut and there is litter scattered all over the area. To make matters worse, the litter bin on the edge of this area was fuller than full! Not only was the bin full to the brim, but there were also several carrier bags full of rubbish by the side of it.
Moving down the road further, we come to the slopes at the end of The Norton, leading down to North Beach. The first slope looks unwelcoming, with the patched up area of the wall, more grass at the foot of the wall, and also the empty notice board. Surely, a notice board should have information in it about the town and what's going on there in the coming days and weeks?
However, this is nothing compared to what can be found further on. After going past the empty building where the amusement arcade used to be, is what could be quite a nice area where people could sit on the benches and admire the view. But, in its current condition, this would be impossible to do, as the grass around the first bench is long, and would be unpleasant to sit amongst, although it could be argued that the bench is still usable, which is more than can be said for the one a few yards on; not only is it surrounded by long grass, but there is also a gorse bush hanging over the seat!
And even if people were brave enough to sit on these seats, the view they get isn't really all that pleasant. The main view in front of them comprises mainly of a red barrier and more overgrown grass. To their right they get to see a nice flight of stone steps with seriously well established weeds obscuring the path of anyone who might wish to use it.
That is really the worst of my findings, but should people be walking down these slopes to the beach, and then along it and up the steps back to The Norton, they would then be confronted by yet more overgrown grass and weeds blocking the path, making it quite narrow in places and difficult to pass those coming the other way.
In my work as a professional travel and landscape photographer, I often get commissioned by the Wales Tourist Board and Pembrokeshire County Council's Tourism Unit to take photographs to promote the area of Pembrokeshire. The shots I take have to show the beauty of the area, how nice it is and make it look like a place that tourists will want to come to.
However, if this is the state of the place, it makes my job very difficult indeed. If a town is in this sort of condition, and I'm meant to show its beauty etc., what am I meant to do? Yes, Tenby does have plenty of beauty to show, but it doesn't seem right that a town so pretty can have streets and benches in the state that they are.
The above authorities are spending millions each year on attracting visitors to the area, yet when they get here, all they get is somewhere covered in weeds and rubbish. Is this really what they want and what will bring them back next year?
While I was out on this walk, I happened to have my camera with me. I was so annoyed by what I saw, that I felt it would only be right of me to bring it to your attention, not only with words, but with pictures to illustrate my point as well.
I hope the issues mentioned within this letter shall be dealt with appropriately in the not so distant future.
Chris Warren,
Photographer,
14 Hawthorn Close,
Pentlepoir.