Sir,

I believe that if every Tenby household won £1,000 on the Postcode Lottery, there would be some local residents who would find something to raise a complaint about it.

When the Whitland to Pembroke Dock railway spur was being constructed, some residents complained about the inconvenience it was causing. When it was completed, some then complained about the noise of the trains disturbing the tranquillity of the countryside and others complained about the ‘riff raff’ the trains brought into the town. Yet if it had not been for the railway, then Tenby would most probably now be a quaint, derelict fishing port.

Ironman Wales is the best thing to happen for Tenby for decades; it brings pleasure and entertainment to thousands of people and, more importantly, it brings a much-needed major financial boost to the economy of the area. It takes place on the shoulder of the season so it does not impinge upon the regular tourist trade and it promotes the image of Tenby on the worldwide stage.

Yet some people have nothing better to do than to occupy themselves by looking for minor inconveniences to raise as complaints. Obviously an event on this scale will intrude into the regular pattern of life for some residents, but when compared to the benefits, what is one weekend out of 52 weekends?

I do hope that the anonymous carping does not influence any decision to retain Tenby as the venue for the Ironman Wales in the future. Hopefully, the majority view will prevail.

For the record, I make no financial gain from Ironman and I am virtually housebound for the weekend of the event, but I consider it was worthwhile exercise.

John H. T. Griffiths,

Tenby.