The depth of feeling in 1938 reflected in letters published through the North Wales Chronicle show two distinct views on how Newborough beach and island should develop (or not) in relation to access for tourism and locals alike.

The mass protest on the August Bank Holiday in 1938 by over 1,000 villagers and other supporters was undertaken by many in Sunday best clothes and the four-mile march ended in a mass picnic on the island.

The protest was linked to an over-protective warden on Llanddwyn island prohibiting visitors any access. This also led to locals in Newborough actively campaigning for improved road access to the beach to attract visitors from afar in the hope it would improve the economic viability of life in Newborough.

The interest this action created led to a visit by Miss Megan Lloyd George MP to hear the case first-hand and tour the vicinity. In 1938, Newborough had a population of 834 people, of whom 74 were classified as unemployed.

This period also pre-dates the planting of Newborough Forest with the formation of the Forestry Commission.

My interest in this is because of the current strength of conflicting feelings that exist in relation to the proposed plans for managing the Newborough Warren and forest over the next 15 to 20 years.

Protests were staged two years ago at the proposal to deforest a section of Newborough. There were so many people they could not fit everyone into the town hall in Llangefni. The consultation phase is now nearing a conclusion that will dictate the physical changes (applied by man) to the landscape for years to come.

By Graham Hembrough.