Madam,

As I write, the artist Robert Davies is continuing in his efforts to obtain funding to build a giant metal tree on Borth beach.

This tree would be built right on top of the petrified forest, and would mean some of this forest would need to be dug up in order to ‘plant’ the metal sculpture.

There are concerns about potential costs to the council should this sculpture lead to safety issues.

There are also worries that ‘Tree’ will have a negative impact on marine birds. Some say that it may even attract discarded rubbish.

Ironically, the ostensible purpose of this environmental destruction seems to be to highlight climate change.

Suggestions to Mr Davies that he could locate his sculpture in a less visually and environmentally damaging location have fallen on deaf ears. He has stated that it does not suit his ‘concept’ to locate it elsewhere.

You have only to walk through Borth to see the strength of the local opposition to Mr Davies’ plan - many of the houses have anti-Tree posters in their windows and many hundreds of people have signed a petition against this sculpture also.

It is hard to understand how the fulfilment of Mr Davies’ artistic vision carries more weight than the majority of local opinion.

It is also hard to understand how Mr Davies could believe that a huge metal sculpture could ever be more potent in changing hearts and minds than the wild beauty of Borth beach and its unique tidal forest.

As a therapist I often encourage clients to improve their mental health by walking in quiet unspoilt places such as this.

I can only think that Mr Davies lacks an aesthetic appreciation of this beach because, despite owning a flat in Borth, he has chosen to build a house elsewhere.

In fact the location of his house is such that he would be probably be able to admire his metal tree from his back garden at a distance.

Does something so precious have to be spoilt just to satisfy one man’s vanity?

Yours etc, Jessica Ketteringham, Borth.

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