Philip Roe, of Bayard’s Cove, Dartmouth, writes:

I feel very sad that Stevie Rogers in her letter, Chronicle, July 1, chooses to misrepresent my efforts to maintain the appearance and wonderful ­history of Bayard’s Cove while continuing, in a wholly ­arbitrary fashion, to make statements designed to ensure that her opinion and domination of this worthwhile group shall be final in regard to the floral decoration of our town, with the implication that I and other residents have obstructed flowers being put here. Such statements are mere fabrication.

This well-funded group, which seems to have endless ambition, should account much more openly for the support it receives and should be subject to proper accounting oversight by the town council, with an annual submission of a town flower plan, to ensure that the neglect of places such as Bayard’s Cove for the past several years is ended.

The owners of the Dartmouth Arms and Bayard’s Inn have both offered enthusiastically for several years and would ­confirm again that they will undertake to water all the flowers at the Dartmouth Arms end of the cove; and I, having undertaken many jobs willingly for the past 25 years or so, would ensure that any flowers hung on the posts at the Fort end of the cove would be looked after and loved, as I do with my own displays.

Quite why it is that Stevie Rogers has declined our help, and has refrained from replying to our repeated offers to ­contribute, I do not understand; but her refusal to ensure that Bayard’s Cove is a major part of any flower presentation comes as a great disappointment to those thousands of visitors from home and abroad who so often voice open criticism of the very poor state of this place, which I have fought to have improved for years.

Visitors expect to see their heritage being treated with love and affection, and it is to the shame of all our town leaders and outfits such as Dartmouth Green Partnerships that such neglect is allowed at places that could, and should, be the jewels in the crown of our wonderful old town.

Until a few years ago, Jane Joy did this voluntary job with a few friends on a two-bit budget, and a man came round with a little watering truck – hence the town always seemed abundant with flowers, watered properly. All this without the infighting and accusation that now seems to attend our new, well-funded outfit. With much grander ideas and expense, demand seems unable to provide a decent show of flowers at one of our many historical places.

I wish to say that I am ­grateful for the two small ­baskets that Stevie has put on the stand outside our home, but these are lost by the total absence of anything floral in the rest of Bayard’s Cove.