Letters, June 18

Whilst it remains possible that, in some way, Councillor John Cole was attempting to make a joke, his recent remarks – reported in last week’s Tivyside (‘Climate change will let me grow lemons’, June 11) – on climate change require rebuttal.

Cllr Cole tells us that he is able to confidently and unequivocally reassure us that much of the information that he has gathered on the subject of climate change was certainly composed mainly of “scaremongering”, and that by this statement of his, we should now put aside much of the discussion of the topic, forthwith.

Nowhere does this public representative, speaking at a council committee hearing, tell us how he knows his statement to be a fact, except in his own idea and assertion.

He then goes on to happily welcome a rise in the temperature of Pembrokeshire by “a couple of degrees” so that he can cultivate various citrus fruits at home.

In this remark, so far as I’m aware, Cllr Cole misapprehends the terminology used around temperature increase in the climate change discussion, and its meaning, and appears to think that a two degree rise merely means something akin to nice hot summers or the like.

A rise in temperature of two degrees in these discussions refers to the overall rise in the general ambient temperature across all times of the year, not a peak temperature on any given day at any given place.

A two degree rise in the ambient temperature of the county would have far-reaching implications for all Pembrokeshire’s inhabitants, and in my view, is certainly not a future destination to be welcomed as a source of happiness, even by fruit enthusiasts.

Set against an overall two degree rise in ambient temperature, the actual temperatures experienced in any given place can apparently vary very widely, with as much as a ten per cent gain or loss in the mean average for that time of year, in any given place or area.

If this is the case, then the at one extent of this temperature range, Cllr Cole gets his oranges and lemons, but no water for them to drink and they die, along with the rest of his garden, or on the other, his citrus bushes and tress will have been subject to unfavourably wet and windy weather conditions, a chronic lack of sunlight, and a sustained fungal and insect attack, and are all now subsequently dead, rotting, or both.

It is heartening to note that it appears that Cllr Cole’s assertions were not accepted as facts by the majority of the committee members that he was addressing.

J Arnell

Crosswell

Pool funding

I AM a regular visitor to Cardigan and am writing in support of the Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre which is struggling with funding.

While I was there this week I was greeted with a warm welcome, I saw parents and grandparents bringing toddlers to swim, people using it as part of their training routines, people of all ages and abilities taking advantage of the swimming and fitness classes, people encouraging one another.

I noted the determination and dedication of the trustees, volunteers and supporters who do their best to raise funds.

I cannot help but note the glaring contrast between the tens of millions of pounds that have been spent on locating and building the Cardigan health centre and the lack of funding for the health-giving Swimming Pool and Leisure Complex which is run as a charity.

Healthy and active lives are a vital part of preventative health-care and Cardigan’s swimming pool is playing a huge part in this as well as providing a supportive community.

Please can I encourage the good people of Ceredigion to give what that they can to support this gem of a facility tucked away on Napier Street.

Can I request that those elected to monitor health funding in the area and those who have access to funding streams focus on ensuring that Cardigan swimming pool has a secure future.

Caroline Donne

By email

Albion thanks

Cymdeithas Aberteifi would like to thank all those who took part in our recent celebrations to commemorate the bi-centenary of the Albion sailing to New Brunswick in Canada.

We marked 200 years since the first organised emigration to the New World from Cardigan town with a series of talks, exhibitions and events over 10 days during the Easter period. Its success was due to the many local people who embraced the idea with enthusiasm and took an active part in the events voluntarily; and to the venues and groups who organised their own events to coincide.

We are particularly grateful to Ben James and the students of Coleg Ceredigion who designed and built a wonderful replica of the ship’s hold with timber donated by James Davies Ltd. This recreation was installed at the Coalyard (by Pizzatipi) so that people today could gain some understanding of the cramped conditions of travel endured by the emigrants all those years ago.

Finally we need to thank Cardigan Town Council and CCM Clearances for their donations that helped to cover essential costs.

We can’t thank the people of Cardigan and the surrounding area enough for coming together to make these events special. A full list can be found on cardigan-maritime.com.

Ann Stokoe

Treasurer/Event Co-ordinator

Cymdeithas Aberteifi

Refugee week

WALES, and the rest of Britain, has a proud tradition of welcoming and sheltering people who are fleeing persecution, war, torture and rape, and Cardigan and North Pembrokeshire Amnesty International Group will be honouring this during Refugee Week, which this year takes place between June 17-23.

Refugee Week started in 1998 as a direct reaction to hostility in the media and society in general towards refugees and asylum seekers and now takes place every year across the world in the week around World Refugee Day on June 20.

We have written to the Home Secretary to ask him with the stroke of a pen to change the restrictive rules that keep refugees in the UK apart from those they love, and asked him to allow child refugees in the UK the right to sponsor their close family so they can rebuild their lives together and help them integrate in their new community.

Many refugees contribute hugely to our society as doctors, nurses, teachers and in other professions and bring a wealth of skills, languages, experience and knowledge with them.

Now, when the world’s refugee crisis is bigger than any since the Second World War, it is so important that we reflect on the situation of the over 60 million people forced to flee their homes, communities and countries.

The vast majority of refugees stay in the area of their displacement and are hosted by developing countries and they would love to be able to go home.

Graham Lang

Cardigan and North Pembs Amnesty International

School memories

WE FAST approach the end of another school year. Many students, as it was for me in 1973, will shortly leave Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi.

A time to acknowledge the fantastic support, care and guidance the school provides for it students.

I am shortly to leave education for the second time as I retire from a time as a teacher, headteacher, local authority adviser and Ofsted Inspector.

Without the excellent education I received at the school I know I would not have achieved as well as I have.

Special recognition to Mr D. Wyn Jones. An inspirational teacher and a key influence in my choice of career.

I often reflect on the many opportunities the school provided in music, drama and many visits to places of interest.

My greatest claim to fame still remains winning the Senior Boys Singing in the school Eisteddfod (Bore Nadolig). I also need to acknowledge the support and hospitality of the Hughes family (Blaenannerch).

Again, without their support I would never have completed my A-level course.

Diolch yn fawr.

David Wilson

Northumberland