Editor

Your correspondent writes of beach breaches of social distancing and stay-home rules. (‘Bank holiday style scenes’ Letters, Cambrian News, 1 April).

My experience has been very different. On the weekend of 21 and 22 March, Barmouth beaches were deserted. I took a photograph on the Sunday to prove it (pictured).

That was the weekend before Boris’ lockdown on travel, which he announced on the Monday following, and before the closure of the caravan sites which the First Minister, Mark Drakeford announced, also on 24 March.

The evidence before my eyes that weekend was that wouldbe tourists were putting others before their own ‘interests’.

In respect of this disease, Covid-19, even if you were tested yesterday, if you have been to the shops today or have gone to work, you could have picked up the infection and not know it.

People did not come to Barmouth that weekend, although they were free to do so.

The West Midlands is the area of the second highest rate of infection after London, according to the media. Gwynedd appears to have minute numbers of people infected.

So if you thought you and your family were infection free, it was in your ‘interest’ to head for Barmouth. And coming to Barmouth is always fun. Especially in this sort of weather.

Indeed if you are young and undoubtedly healthy your ‘interest’ may be served by enjoying yourself in a seaside resort even if there is a chance you are infected - but with mild symptomatic effect. Of course you can’t be sure no one in your family has the disease if you are all fit and young. That cold or mild flu may be it.

But the evidence is that no such self-interest was ruling: the beaches at Barmouth were empty. For miles. And had been, all weekend.

Altruism and charity express love for one’s fellows. Barmouth’s empty beaches are a beautiful expression of hearts full of compassion.

Dr Ian MacIntyre, Shelbourne Court, St John’s Hill, Barmouth

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