Sir, I read with dismay the headline 'Should axe fall on South Parade trees?' in your edition for Friday, April 8. One of the very many enticing and attractive features of Tenby is its trees, especially along South Parade. Whereas some judicial pollarding would not be out of order, they constitute a very pleasant part of Tenby, especially in the late spring, summer and autumn months. As Tenby is busy mainly in the summer months, they provide pleasant shelter from the sun and obviously disguise what would otherwise be a very dull and boring (though historically important) wall. There is no need to axe the trees, there is no need even to pollard them so as to gaze upon stone walls. They are probably too old to be designer trimmed and thus a careful well advised programme of pollarding might go someway to satisfying the proponents of the felling exercise and assuaging those who would have them remain. I agree with the reported words of Clr. Trevor Hallett describing Tenby as having the best of both worlds at the present time. The section of the walls that are exposed beyond the Five Arches has by in large the added advantage of small well cared for gardens to attract the eye. That would not be the case if the trees no longer existed along the other section of the wall. Tenby has a wonderful heritage and a lively aesthetic present, so we must leave for future generations that which is beautiful and attractive, for once these trees have been destroyed, they may never be replaced, or if they are, will take decades to reach a suitable useful height. I am sure that anyone who has been fortunate enough to stroll in tree-lined streets in Europe, where they abound, would prefer a soothing shade to a stark defensive wall designed to repel all who would invade.
Susan Gaynor-Smith, on behalf of self and Adrian Gaynor-Smith,