ONE DAY last week I was walking through the Kingsway Centre, when I suddenly realised something was different. There was no piped music. I sat on the seat opposite the new post office and enjoyed the atmosphere. All that could be heard was the sound of humanity, the sound of walking feet, the murmur of conversation, an occasional cheery greeting called out and, best of all, the sound of children playing.

There was a delightful moment when another aged one like myself hobbled by on his stick and gave me a smiling good morning.

This was humanity as it was meant to be; this was society. Alas, it was also a rare occasion.

Usually we have the loudspeakers blaring out what is termed pop music, and it is everywhere.

When are the powers that be going to act?

They have taken action to save people from having to breath tobacco smoke exhaled by others. Is it not time that we were protected from this form of enslavement too?

Surely we should have the right to live our lives without this plague being inflicted upon us.

Tom McCarthy, Gaer Park Parade, Newport