Sir, They say all publicity is good publicity. And sometimes it comes from unexpected sources. David Aaranovitch, the well known broadcaster and columnist for 'The Times' newspaper, who ususally writes about politics and current affairs, was invited to give a talk at a conference recently held at St. Brides Spa Hotel. On June 23, he devoted his column to describing his short stay in Saundersfoot. Under the heading 'Open your eyes and imagine you are in Italy', he waxed lyrical, describing the scene from the 'smart, efficient and friendly hotel' looking towards Amroth, as ' a great sweep of yellow sand, framed by low wooded cliffs and a glinting sea'. He 'strolled down the hill to the town', describing the music played by a guitar playing blonde as floating up to the high harbour wall. The 'Chantelle' and the 'Elgar' chugging out to sea to join the fishing boats. People were out with walking sticks and dogs and walked where a railway line had once taken coal to the harbour. There was the coastal path with ramblers and touring cyclists. In the Marina Restaurant, 'five old men drank coffees and laughed at the jokes of one, a 'Times' reader with a moustache'. The columnist concluded 'it was all very happy and if this had been Italy, I'd have considered myself at home'. Nice to read that he enjoyed his short visit and it just goes to show, you never know who's about.

'One of the old men'.