The report on the elaborate (and no doubt costly) efforts being made not to disturb great crested newts in the brooks south of Lewes (Argus, June 30) suggests to me we are being had.
Whenever any work is done to ponds these days, whether near a river, on a farm, or even on the dewponds of the Downs, precautions have to be taken not to discommode these newts because they are said to be rare.
Rare? The wretched things seem to be everywhere! What is more, East Sussex County Council has appointed a newt licensing officer.
A newt licensing officer - I ask you! Did they make the appointment with a straight face, or did the good councillors have a very good lunch and come back as inebriated as newts?
-John O'Rilley, Downs View Road, Hassocks
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