AN Abergavenny teenager and a local woman have hit back at criticism of youngsters using the new children's play area in Bailey Park.

The teenager, who provided the Chronicle with her name and address but asked to remain anonymous said she was hurt by the letter in last week's newspaper.

She said, "In reply to the letter the writer says he or she witnessed the arrival of four fully grown people, three girls and one boy, all aged about 18 years.

"As I read the letter it slowly dawned on me that I must have been one of those "idiotic" or "illiterate" youths referred to. The character assessment left me feeling puzzled, hurt and disheartened.

"If the description was us, it was a chance, first visit to the new playground so if there is a sign preventing young people over the age of 14 years from using the equipment then we would put our hands up, but we are only guilty of not seeing or, not expecting to see, such a sign in an area we are used to visiting. It was an honest mistake."

She added, "The tone of the letter is disturbing enough but goes on to present us to the public as delinquent teenagers, out to bring ruin to our town. Not true! What is it we actually did because I don't recall entering into any behaviour to warrant this response?

"Maybe our unsuspecting trip to the park was simply the last straw for the author, and if so then we're sorry for that, but we have to defend ourselves and all the other responsible young people and families in Abergavenny against this and similar unprovoked verbal attacks in the press.

"If those in charge of designing the area had wanted the playground to be used exclusively by very young children, then they really should have planned the use of space more carefully and looked at creating a playground which has something for everyone.

"My Nan, at 78, used to enjoy having a go on the slide and swings. Would her behaviour also be considered as delinquent?

"Last summer Bailey Park had larger swings which could be used by anyone, now these are gone."

The use of the play area by young teenagers was also defended by Sally Generalovic.

She said: "How nice to see Councillor Peter Clarke (chairman of Monmouthshire County Council) "jumping for joy" during the opening of the children's play area in Bailey Park but how unfortunate that the article ended with negative reference to local teenagers gathering there.

"Perhaps Mr Clarke's joy is also shared by these same teenagers who see something new and exciting happening in their neighbourhood for a change and who are in fact still children themselves.

"It is very easy to tar all teenagers with the same brush but the letter that followed in Postbag referring to the teenagers as idiots, illiterate or questioning the homes they come from begs me to ask the writer the question - did they bother to engage in conversation with those teenagers, maybe to enquire of them what other facilities are available to them or was it just assumed because they looked about 18 that meant they were illiterate and came from a bad home. "

She added, "Perhaps next time the writer could take time out to actually talk to those same teenagers and discover that they are interesting human beings and not merely idiots!"