Letters from the editor's postbag.

Blocks of history

IF ONE travels to Carmarthen on the No 460 bus, after calling at Henllan the bus normally completes the journey travelling along the A484.

However, due to the recent landslide removing the road in the Cwmduad area with such a tragic result, that part of the road is now closed for repair, ensuring that the bus takes a diversion.

About five miles or so from Henllan the bus turns right and makes its way up to the B4333 to continue the journey to Cynwyl Elfed and beyond.

I have never knowingly travelled along this small link road, and if I have it would have been by car.

Riding in a bus means one is seated higher than a car and consequently can see over hedges and other road-side obstacles.

On this minor road between the A484 and the B4333 I noticed, on the right-hand side, a straight row of large, concrete blocks, approximately one metre square and high with a gap of about a metre between, stretching into the distance.

They were obviously old and built in situ and I was puzzled as to their purpose. Since seeing them I have asked several friends if they new what they were for, but apart from much speculation, we drew a blank.

I un-hopefully embarked on some research online but rather amazingly came up with the result.

These blocks are part of what is known as the Rhos Llangeler Stop Line, which is part of the defences established in the early part of the Second World War in preparation for what was, at the time, considered a very real threat of invasion by enemy forces.

This particular line stretched from Llangrannog to Pembrey. It was not all man-made defences, but included natural features such as woods, banks and ditches, with road blocks where necessary.

At this time of year it is always right and proper to remember those people who gave their lives in conflict, and one forgets how much other work was going on in the background, not only in the physical effort involved, but in the foresight and planning of such defences.

If you take the bus, keep a lookout for these blocks. Once the road is repaired and the bus resumes its normal route, they will probably fall back into obscurity except to those who live nearby and perhaps a few who may have played a part in their construction.

Alan Cobb

Llangoedmor

Bridge priorities

NOW that the river at Llechryd Bridge has been cleared of the debris caused by last months Storm Callum, I hope that the old river bridge in Cardigan can also be cleared.

The archways have tree trunks and other debris piled up against them which could cause a lot of damage to the base of the bridge which carried a lot of traffic daily.

I hope the river authority will make clearance a priority.

M Philpott

Blaenporth

Thanks for help

I WOULD like to express my gratitude to the kind couple who helped my mum Joan after her nasty fall on Gwbert Road recently.

Thank you both very much for your kindness and help.

Linda Keeler

By email

A bad decision

THE recent decision by the energy, planning and rural affairs secretary Lesley Griffiths to give the go-ahead to a seven-generator wind farm is an affront to engineering, technological, commercial, democratic and indeed moral excellence.

The wind farm project at Llandegley near Llandrindod Wells has been rejected by Powys county councillors and a respected planning inspector – not to mention over two hundred objections from well informed protestors – the implication being that Lesley Griffiths is privy to a higher level of expertise and worldly knowledge that justifies her contentious decision. If so, perhaps she will be good enough to share her supreme skills with us lesser mortals so that we may learn and repent?

The minister must be aware that Wales with its population of 3million requires just 1850 megawatts (MW), at any one peak instant, to satisfy Welsh demand, whereby the relatively new Pembroke CCGT Power Station has a capacity of 2000MW alone regarding total Welsh power generation capability.

So it begs the question as to what or who will benefit from the unpredictable and intermittent additional power generation from this ill-proposed wind farm!

Travelling from Cardigan to Shrewsbury via the coastal route or through the heart of Wales triggers despair and sadness of how Assembly Ministers are allowing the desecration of the beautiful Welsh countryside with these limited engineering monstrosities – it is also very noticeable that travelling through the Welsh Marches to Shrewsbury there are few wind generators to be seen, especially when looking toward England – why is this I wonder?

I note on the internet that prior to her election to the National Assembly for Wales, Lesley Griffiths spent 20 years working at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

So, with the greatest respect, I wonder what engineering, technological and business expertise she brings to the table – surely it cannot be any useful expertise from years with the Labour run Welsh NHS as Wales has the worst service in the UK – just look at the waiting lists – well done Welsh Labour – no wonder with such Ministers we have a proliferation of wind generators across the ‘Land of our Fathers’.

Dave Haskell

Cardigan

Fishy business

I WAS amazed to see that goldfish are still being offered as prizes at the fair here in Cardigan and obviously elsewhere in Ceredigion and Wales.

Surely this is against animal welfare?

My daughter texted me to say she had "won" one and thankfully I was able to get everything ready for the tiny wee thing by the time she came home.

However, how many people do not have the required equipment, water treatment solutions, food etc?

I expect many people simply fill a container with tap water straight from the tap and put their fish straight in. This can be lethal. Also in the past I have seen young children swinging their fish in their bags.

My daughter also mentioned that the man on the stall was handling the fish as he put them into their bags. This can cause damage to scales and result in fungal and other diseases. Do fairgrounds not have to have to adhere to animal husbandry guidelines at all?

Is it not about time that Ceredigion Council and Cardigan Town council made a stand on this matter before the fair returns again?

I do hope so.

I have no wish to be a killjoy but there are plenty of other prizes to offer, and if someone really wants a fish we have local pet shops who are very knowledgeable and sell everything a prospective fish keeper could want.

I'm sure many people agree with me on this matter.

C O'Connor

Cardigan

Accidents thanks

I RECENTLY returned home from Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen, after receiving surgery on my spine at the University Hospital of Wales at the Heath, Cardiff.

On Sunday afternoon (October 21), I was driving my car between Boncath and New Chapel when I had an accident, ending up, after rolling the car, against some trees.

Thank goodness there was no one else on the road at the time.

I would like to thank all those involved in rescuing me from the car — particularly the lady from the nearby house who phoned the emergency services and the four first-aiders, who helped until the fire crews arrived.

I was conscious through the proceedings of getting me out of the car, and am very grateful for everyone’s help.

John H. Davies

Llandysul

Cool advertising

AS A newcomer to the area, I enjoy reading what is happening around Ceredigion in your lovely paper.

I am known to have little or no sense of humour but had a welcome 'laugh out loud' moment on reading page 26 this week (November 6, 2018).

It appears that 28 x 'Currys Essentials Fridges' are for sale under 'Articles for sale', 'Bedrooms & Bedding', 'Books, Records & CDs', 'Disabled Equipment', 'DIY Equipment', 'Dogs', 'Furniture & Furnishings', 'Garden Tools & Equipment', 'Gardening Accessories', 'Heating & Fireplaces', 'Lighting & Lamps', 'Mens Clothing' and 'Tools'.

I hope the seller gets a buyer ... or two!

Suzanne Arnold

Cribyn

Editor's note: Here at the Tivyside Advertiser we pride ourselves on going the extra mile to ensure we help our readers achieve their goals - even when it comes to selling a fridge.

Note to the Editor's note: In all seriousness - we had something of a technical glitch (obviously) that wasn't spotted until too late.