Madam,

I write in response to Patrick O’Brien’s column about the proposed installation of a cast metal tree on the beach between Borth and Ynyslas.

Whilst there were several of his points that I disagreed with, I would particularly like to address two.

First, he describes Robert Davies, in a pejorative manner, as a "self-styled contemporary artist". Robert is a graduate of the Royal College of Art and his work has been exhibited and acclaimed all over the world.

Secondly, Patrick O’Brien states that the sculpture would be "an unwanted gift"... "forced on a hostile public" and that "most people in the village disagree with him (Robert Davies)".

While there is undoubtedly a well-organised group of villagers who oppose the sculpture, there is also a quieter group who are in favour and there are a number of residents who have no strong feelings either way.

When considering the letters sent to the council at the appeal stage of the process, letters against Tree having a Borth or Ynyslas postcode constituted less than three per cent of the population. In a meeting of the group opposed to Tree on 18 April, just before the appeal deadline, only 21 people attended.

These figures underline the fact that to say the "people of Borth" do not want Tree is clearly incorrect.

People in Borth, on both sides of the debate, remain friends and all have the best interests of this remarkable village at heart.

Yours etc,

Neil Johnson, Borth.

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