A talented Raglan-based artist is carving out a reputation for herself with works which depict the scenery of Monmouthshire and further afield. Rachel Spaven, 32 of Caestory Avenue has been involved in a number of community projects, including the
TWO Gwent rivers are among six in south Wales which have "massive environmental potential" and are major potential tourism, recreation and education assets. So says the newly created South East Wales Rivers Trust about the Sirhowy and the Ebbw, which
PAUL Murphy made history tonight after becoming the first Welsh Secretary to be given the job twice. The Torfaen MP got the shock of his life at 4pm when Prime Minister Gordon Brown phoned him in his office to invite him to return to the Wales Office
CHEPSTOW mums can find out how to try out yoga with their kids at a new class. Liz Cardash of the Equrilibrium Holisitic Centre, St. Mary's Street, is running classes for mums who want to find new ways of soothing their babies. Techniques include
PHASE one of the ambitious and exciting plans for a university campus in Newport city centre is likely to get the final stamp of approval next week. An initial application from the University of Wales, Newport, for phase two and three of the multi-million
NEWPORT Harrier Steve Davies has unfinished business in 2008 as he looks to right the wrongs of his World Championship exclusion. The 23-year-old from Caldicot was left shell-shocked last summer after being overlooked for Osaka despite finishing second
A WOMAN spent Christmas eve in A&E after suffering a severe skin reaction and spasms linked to her Argos sofa. Kerry Evans, 57, of Tanybryn, said she has suffered from a skin rash and blistering on her legs since she bought an Argos Bari three-piece
AN ILLEGAL Iranian immigrant has appeared at Cardiff crown court. Dariush Abedy, 26, of Charles Street, Newport, admitted possessing false documents with intent. His counsel, Peter Davies, said the deportation notice had been served on Abedy.
JASON Gillespie it is then as Glamorgan's overseas player for next season. I'm pretty happy about that, not ecstatic (Brett Lee might evoke such emotion but that's not realistic) but far, far from unhappy either. The 32-year-old Gillespie is clearly
PATIENTS' watchdogs want health bosses to explore options for keeping a branch surgery serving 475 patients in an isolated Monmouthshire community. Gwent Community Health Council believes consideration should be given to alternatives to closure of
CWMBRAN Town has taken its recent recruitment drive to 10 in just over a week - with another likely to be named soon once international clearance has been obtained. Once again Spanish boss Guillermo Ganet has delved deep into his extensive catalogue
Train services between London and south Wales have been hit by a landslide this afternoon. The incident happened west of Chipping Sodbury tunnel and is causing disruption to services between Swindon and Bristol Parkway, a Network Rail spokesman said
THE Monmouthshire-based Bereavement Support Group is to receive a £288 grant from the county's Local Health Board charitable funds committee, towards the cost of setting up a monthly support meeting in Monmouth.
OUR dating service, Two's Company, attracts thousands of readers looking for love. Now we want to hear your success stories. Did you find Mr or Miss Right? Are you now married after a dream date? Whatever your Two's Company story, we want to hear it
THE Cuban Brothers are visiting Cardiff next month for the launch of a new party night. The new night, Phatlace, at Cardiff's first vodka bar, will take place every Thursday between 9pm and 2am from February 14. MTV sensations The Cuban Brothers
A member of the Gwent Young People's Theatre has won a place at the prestigious Old Vic Theatre School in Bristol. Sarah James, 19 from Cresta Road, Abergavenny, beat off hundreds of applicants and will study on the three year professional stage management
TWO Newport men stood trial today accused of murder, after a former soldier was allegedly brutally beaten to death after a night out. Their alleged victim, Wesley Strawbridge, 25, died after suffering from multiple head injuries in what the prosecution
THE torment the US suffers fighting the war in Iraq, with many Americans torn between supporting the men and women sacrificing their lives on the ground and the despair of being trapped in a nightmare scenario without easy answers is one that isn't easily
MP Paul Flynn told the Argus he believes Cardiff West MP Kevin Brennan, who grew up in Cwmbran, is the favourite to become next Secretary of State for Wales. The Newport West MP added a tribute to Hain, saying: "The cabinet has lost the lone voice
WORKERS at two Newport companies face an uncertain future following the announcement of closures. Caledonia Motors, based in Spytty Road, has been put into receivership and G4S announced its cash services branch in Factory Road will be closing at the
THE Farmer's Daughter prides itself on serving food prepared from scratch and uses locally-sourced produce - even the herbs are from the garden. This family-owned and run restaurant is quite intimate with a rustic feel about it. The menu isn't huge
NEWPORT will open the season with several top riders doing battle at the Hayley Stadium circuit. Wasps have confirmed that popular reserve Nick Simmons has agreed a deal to return to the team, and he is due a testimonial meeting having been an asset
A NEWPORT estate is finally set to get a much-needed community centre. It will be the realisation of a long-held dream for RASCAL, the mainly-voluntary organisation which works to improve life for those in Somerton. Euro-funding of £100,000, plus
TORFAEN MP Paul Murphy said Pete Hain was "an excellent Minister and a strong voice for Wales in Government. Murphy was Peter Hain's predecessor as both Welsh and Northern Ireland Secretary. He said: "I am very sorry to hear that Peter has resigned
THREE Gwent tourism projects are set to benefit from millions of pounds in grants to boost visitor levels, the Assembly announced today. Projects in Blaenavon, Tredegar and Markham will get £1 million each from the Assembly to create hundreds of new
Monmouth MP David Davies, who referred the matter to the Electoral Commission, said: "I think it was inevitable that Peter Hain would have to resign after the Metropolitan Police confirmed they were investigating him. "My own view is that because the
Downing Street said in a statement: "Peter Hain has made his statement. The Prime Minister has accepted Peter Hain's resignation. There will be an exchange of letters in due course." It is understood that Mr Hain phoned the Prime Minister at around
PAUL Turner has revealed how he hopes to rejuvenate the Newport Gwent Dragons team after signing a two-year extension to his contract, as revealed in Monday's Argus. Turner is in his third season with the Dragons and will now be with the region until
Scotland Yard confirmed that it had launched an investigation into the donations. "We can confirm that the Met has today received a formal referral from the Electoral Commission in connection with potential offences under the Political Parties and
The Electoral Commission said today that it had referred the controversy over donations to Peter Hain's deputy leadership campaign to Scotland Yard. In a statement, the elections watchdog said it would be up to the Metropolitan Police to decide whether
PETER Hain is to resign as Welsh Secretary and Work and Pensions Secretary "to clear my name'', he said in a statement within the past few minutes. The Electoral Commission said today that it had referred the controversy over donations to Hain's deputy
NEWPORT council has taken up the cudgels on behalf of closure-threatened post offices in the city. A storm of protest greeted the news that branches on Christchurch Road, Risca Road and Malpas Road are facing the axe - three of a total of 21 in Gwent
A PENSIONER who plunged 40 feet down a well and held on for almost two hours has thanked the paramedic who saved her life. Anne Towl, a grandmother from Marshfield, fell into the well as she was on her way to feed her horse in a field near her home
A PAEDOPHILE who filmed himself sexually assaulting his own stepdaughter failed in a bid to reduce his life sentence. At Cardiff crown court a year ago, Brian Clarke, 53, branded "evil" by a judge in his original trial, and his brother Shaun, 50, were
RIVAL captains Phil Vickery and Ryan Jones are in agreement with a little over a week to go before Wales get to grips with England at Twickenham in the Six Nations Championship - they both believe the hiding the Welsh team suffered in their last meeting
NEWPORT-born Ryan Jones, the new Wales captain, insists Wales' record 62-5 defeat by England last August is a distant memory and will have no bearing on the Six Nations opener at Twickenham a week Saturday. "I'm a big believer in not looking back, what's
Due to my flatmate's ingenoius blogging, I have been inspired to summarise and, therefore, reap the benefits of my 2007. In the name of optimism, it is clear that last year was actually a transition from gloomy impossibility to flourishing potential.
Due to my flatmate's ingenoius blogging, I have been inspired to summarise and, therefore, reap the benefits of my 2007. In the name of optimism, it is clear that last year was actually a transition from gloomy impossibility to flourishing potential.
A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build a £1million drink and drugs rehab facility in Blackwood will now go to a full public planning inquiry, a council meeting heard last night. The Argus reported how developer Fairlake Properties lodged an appeal with the
PROPOSALS for a £13.5million "beacon of learning" in a Gwent village were given the go-ahead by Caerphilly council planners last night despite angry opposition. Coleg Gwent's principal Howard Burton told the planning committee the approved revamp for
NEWPORT County boss Peter Beadle was pleased to see striker Craig Hughes back to his old self as he fired the Exiles into the Conference South top six. County are now handily poised just outside the playoff places with games in hand of their rivals after
County 4 Cambridge 1 NEWPORT County finally showed a ruthless streak in front of goal last night to power their way back into the top six of the Blue Square South. Not at their best against a decent Cambridge side with a habit of spoiling the Spytty
WE have said time and time again that the future of the valleys lies in its rich, industrial heritage and amazing beauty. Which is why the £5million package of improvements announced today in areas along the Heads of the Valleys is a welcome step.
THE ASSEMBLY administration must reconsider its decision to pass on the burden of unexpected costs to local health boards. An Assembly u-turn on funding guidance, announced almost at the last minute during the budgeting process, will leave LHBs struggling
PATIENT services across Gwent may be cut as health bosses try to cope with a shock multi-million pound bill for care outside of hospital. In Newport, dismayed city health chiefs are warning of "significant disinvestment" to help meet a £3 million overspend
It's time to think of booking that summer holiday. However, it's not that easy. Remember the time when you picked a place you liked, someone told you how much it would cost, you'd pay up and enjoy two weeks in the sun getting sunburnt and not drinking
It's time to think of booking that summer holiday. However, it's not that easy. Remember the time when you picked a place you liked, someone told you how much it would cost, you'd pay up and enjoy two weeks in the sun getting sunburnt and not drinking
Usk Castle Friends are holding a poetry evening at the Three Salmons Hotel in Usk on Febuary 6 at 7.30pm. Renowned local poets Barbara Daniels and Ann Cluysenaar, who have each published several volumes of poetry, will be reading some of their work, which
Usk First Responders, the team set up five years ago to respond to 999 calls in Usk before paramedic help arrives, is urgently seeking new recruits for its next training programme in March. The current team is now down to four members, who struggle to
The Skenfrith Book Club met on Sunday, January 13 to discuss their latest choice of books - The Cloudspotter's Guide, by Gavin Pretor-Pinney. This is a book for dipping into rather than reading as a novel. I think all members of the book club enjoyed
SERVICE OF REMEMBERING: On Sunday January 20 there will be no morning service in St. Bridget's Church, Skenfrith. Instead there will be a short service at 3pm - and this will be a service of remembrance of all loved ones who are no longer with us. It
A GWENT restaurant has retained one of the highest accolades for culinary excellence. For the second year running, The Crown at Whitebrook, Monmouthshire, has been awarded a much sought after Michelin Star - putting them in the top 2 per cent of UK
Skenfrith Hall Committee held its AGM on Thursday, January 10, 2008. Stuart Penny gave a summary of the year 2007. Hywel Jones gave the financial report. Then came the election of officers. Stuart Penny is Chairman; Hywel Jones is Treasurer and he
The Portskewett and Sudbrook Good Companions Club entertains approximately 50 elderly pensioners on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 2.30pm. We have speakers, films, quizzes, bingo, a garden party in August, Spring Fayre and coffee mornings. We
The popular country dancing course at Cwmyoy Hall resumed on Thursday 10th January from 7.15 - 8.45pm. This new course has five sessions on alternate weeks up to early March so go along for the second session next Thursday 24th January. Complete beginners
Ladybirds playgroup in Llanvihangel Crucorney is ready for its next big step. Having only launched in September the group has been working very hard towards achieving registration with the local authority and Care Standards Inspectorate . All the preparations
Weeks of rehearsals will soon be over as the adults' pantomime "Snow White - The Real Story & 30 years Later" will be held at Cwmyoy Hall shortly. The performances will be at 7.30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, January 31 to February 2. Tickets
Mick Bailey has been giving talks to local clubs and societies about bird-watching for the past ten years to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. His illustrated sessions aim to show audiences how to recognise garden and other common birds
Chepstow Festival and the return of the town carnival are set to be the highlights of this summer's events programme in town, but local traders want Monmouthshire council to look at its policy of charging for road closures. Many events require town centre
The Caldicot Male Voice Choir will host its 45th annual concert on Saturday, March 1, at the Leisure Centre, Mill Lane, Caldicot, commencing at 7pm. The concert will be compered by ex-chorister, Graham Rickard, and the guest artist will be soprano Rhian
MORE than 100 children have entered a competition to design cards based on the story of the Welsh patron saint of lovers. Pupils at the Welsh-medium school Ysgol Y Fenni in Abergavenny put pen to paper to design their entries for the competition that
ROYALWELCH: Brecon and Blaenavon branch of the Royal Welch Fusiliers Comrades' Association are holding a St David's Day dinner at the Lamb and Flag Hotel, Abergavenny, on Friday March 7. The chairman, retired major Bob Doak, of Crickhowell, can be contacted
Singer Isla St Clair, best known for her television performances alongside comedian Larry Grayson, is to appear at Glasbury village hall. Isla, who starred in The Generation Game, is due to perform with New Millennium at the hall on Saturday February
THIS REMARKABLE building, dating back to the 17th Century, is first recorded as a public house in 1787. John Hurcum, landlord of The Bull Inn between 1842 and 1844, also ran a brewery at this site in Nevill Street, Abergavenny. In 1852 the publican,
THREE Gwent tourism projects are set to benefit from millions of pounds in grants to boost visitor levels, the Assembly announced today. Projects in Blaenavon, Tredegar and Markham will get £1 million each from the Assembly to create hundreds of new
FIREFIGHTERS cut free a man trapped in a car following a crash in Ebbw Vale last night . He was taken to hospital by ambulance with a leg injury following the one-vehicle collision near Morrison's on Merthyr Road just after 11pm.
A CRASH on the M4 near Junction 26 is causing long tailbacks this morning. Jams stretching back to Junction 28 on the eastbound carriageway. Two cars had been involved in a collision but there were no injuries. The delays were caused by drivers slowing
Wales U18s start their Six Nations Festival preparations in earnest on Sunday when they play their English counterparts at Pontypridd (kick-off 1pm), There are nine Dragons in the 30 man squad, testament to the good season that the Gwent region enjoyed
Several Gwent squad players made the journey to Pembroke Leisure Centre on January 13 to play in the Pembrokeshire Satellite tournament, the fourth tournament in the Satellite 2007/08 series. Evan Williams and James Ellaway, both of Abergavenny, took
