Madam,

In the interests of community harmony, I was determined not to write any more letters to the Cambrian News but I have to challenge Liz Saville-Roberts’ campaign and Ian MacIntyre’s ill-informed tirade regarding ‘child’ soldiers.

I left school at 15 with my headteacher telling me I would never amount to anything. However, at 16 years old I signed up as a junior soldier and spent the next year and a half in what can only be described as a disciplined college.

I got the chance to retake some exams and sit for new ones, then at 17 I passed selection for Commando Forces with whom, after I was 18 and with great pride, I saw active service.

After nine years in the forces I left with a raft of qualifications and experience and went on to gain three degrees, including my doctorate, and land a job that meant that I could effectively retire from full-time employment at 50 years old.

I have no doubt that for me, and many others like me, the junior forces and the army was both the saving and defining feature of my life. The alternative, again as with so many, might well have been a wasted life of menial and unrewarding labour.

I suggest people don’t condemn what they obviously have no understanding of.

And also talking of understanding, I’m sure that the shopkeepers of Dolgellau welcome Delwyn Evans, our mayor’s, interest in weekend opening (‘A day’s wait or a 20-mile trip to get medication’).

However, his comments claiming that we “prefer to close at weekends and bank holidays” are rather insulting to all of us who have opened throughout the summer holidays. Often we have opened to a quiet and empty town square.

As for being a tourist hub, how can he compare us to towns such as Barmouth, Tywn or Bala when we don’t even have a tourist information centre any more or welcoming road signs or information/welcoming leaflets etc? Perhaps he is confusing ‘tourist hub’ with ‘bus hub’?

The shopkeepers of Dolgellau would welcome the chance to discuss the issues he raises.

Yours etc.

Peter Barnes, Cader Road, Dolgellau.

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