Sir,

Alexander Pope lived more than 300 years ago, but that is no reason for anonymous would-be scholars to get it wrong, when they seek to display their erudition, and then misquote him (Tenby Observer, September 19). Pope said nothing about knowledge. Rather like the classic story of the Pembrokeshire farm lad, possibly Jeffreston, who was at a loss in an argument, and said "I don't know, but I'll ask Dada. And if Dada don't know, then it isn't worth knowin". Fair enough, I suppose.

Just to be helpful, and for your anonymous correspondent to get it right next time, Pope wrote: 'A little learning is a dang'rous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring; There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, And drinking largely sobers us again'.

When reading the letter from Mr. Carey D'Arcy, it was good to know that one of a local family is still attracted to his native heath for his holiday. Well done. As far as any argument about dogs on the beach is concerned I neither agree nor disagree. All I can do from experience is make certain erudite observations and say that I have long since been aware that Mr. Pope knew a thing or two when he wrote about a little learning.

As was stated in your correspondence columns at the beginning of the season, 'there are two shops, three public houses, and five good restaurants along the sea front in Amroth as far as New Inn'.

The various dog owners come to Amroth with impunity. There are double yellow lines where they know it is safe to park, because the locals can assure them that if anybody ever saw a policeman they would probably write to the paper with the same delight as, in the days of yore, folks would write to report hearing the first cuckoo. Once the double yellow lines have been commandeered there is a free public car park nearby. In all fairness to the now national joke gendarmerie, it is an accepted fact that they have as much as they can do ticking boxes on various forms and sending out notices to the press appealing for witnesses or information.

There is no need to worry about dog wardens. They would be an even rarer sight than PC Plod. Fair play, though. They are few in number, because report has it that there is a more pressing need for gainful employment at the Kremlin on the Cleddau, and financial provision also has to be made in season for the young people, known as lifeguards, who read their paperbacks and use their mobile telephones in the areas of the much vaunted Blue Flags or European flags or any others on offer.

Canine admission to the beach in season is partially restricted, but people are welcome to take their dogs down the slipway near the public toilets at the west end of the village, and walk all the way to Wisemansbridge. Beyond the east end of the village, where there is another loo, dogs can be taken down to the beach and walked as far as Telpyn. If the tide is out they can walk as far as Ragwen and on into Carmarthenshire. We cannot boast of bushes for those in pressing need, but time it properly, and there are these two splendid toilet facilities, known as 'Pissoires' I believe, for the benefit of our EU visitors who need to euronate, rather than the more traditional spend a penny. This is what learning does for us, and possibly what Alexander Pope had in mind.

A warm welcome to one and all to come and join us.

Roscoe Howells.