NATIONAL reading tests are to be introduced in schools under a new literacy programme launched yesterday. The Welsh Government’s education minister Leighton Andrews, pictured, is aiming to boost reading and writing standards among Welsh children
A CHARITY is hoping people will follow the footsteps of former Pontypool rugby coach Steve Jones by becoming a foster carer. Steve Jones, who died in 2007 aged 55, fostered countless children over the years with his wife, Liz. The couple already
VOLUNTEERS are needed for a ‘blitz on balsam’ at the Castle Meadows in Abergavenny. Keep Wales Tidy in collaboration with Victoria Street Neighbourhood Watch and Monmouthshire council’s countryside section will again be running sessions to
A PONTYPOOL man pleaded guilty at Abergavenny Magistrates’ Court to threatening behaviour in a public place after an incident last Boxing Day. Kyron Jones, 25, of Avalon Court, Tranch, Pontypool, admitted to behaving threateningly towards Daniel
FINAL preparations are being made to ensure the third Devauden music festival goes without a hitch. The village’s two-day event, which starts tomorrow, welcomes its strongest line-up yet to raise funds for its Hood Memorial Hall. Organiser Jeremy
GWENT has two of the mustsee places in the UK, according to a popular tourist guide. The eighth Rough Guide to Britain lists Blaenavon in its 32- strong list of the top places to visit in the whole of the country – but doesn’t say why. It also
A GWENT MP is calling for a UK government investigation into how a convicted murderer was freed from jail three years after absconding. David Cook, 65, was jailed for life for a second time earlier this month after he was found guilty of murdering
DAVID Beckham has spoken of getting "goose bumps" over being part of the official handover of the Olympic Flame to London. The LA Galaxy star and former England skipper will be on the golden plane which transfers the Flame to British soil at
A NEWPORT-based financial advisor who fraudulently gained nearly £250,000 from his clients to pay for his high living lifestyle, was jailed for nearly four years today. Jeremy Sage, 48, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court where he was sent to prison for
A SCHEME that hires out mobility aids in Caldicot is under threat unless more people support it. The management board of Caldicot Shopmobility met recently to discuss the future of the scheme. The volunteer-run scheme, based at the cabin in Jubilee
AFTER a quarter of a century serving Monmouthshire’s people, the county council’s outgoing chairman said it had been an ‘honour’ as the authority welcomed his successor. Brian Hood, who did not stand in the recent council elections, addressed
TV STAR Alan Titchmarsh spent the day in Monmouthshire filming for a gardening show. He was at Veddw House, Devauden, looking at a garden created over 25 years by Anne Wareham and her husband, Charles Hawes. Mr Titchmarsh was filming for his
THE Olympic Flame is expected to arrive in the UK on Friday after it was handed over at a ceremony in Athens.British delegates including David Beckham, will fly back from Greece to RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall.They will attend a special ceremony
A WOMAN who faced court over allegedly throwing a cigarette butt onto a street told of her relief yesterday when she was acquitted by magistrates. Mother-of-four Claire Bailey, 39, of Redwood Place, Ebbw Vale, appeared before Abergavenny Magistrates
THE police officer leading the murder case where a Newport man was savagely beaten before being set on fire welcomed the 100 years handed out to the two killers and two others involved in the attack. Senior investigating officer in the murder
MUSICIANS and dancers from as close to home as Newport and as far afield as Belgium and the Czech Republic are to perform this weekend at the annual Tredegar House Folk Festival. The event, in its 23rd year, is described as ‘a weekend of international
A GIRL of eight was attacked and robbed of her dog in Caerleon last night. Police are appealing for information after the incident on the rugby fields in the town. The eight-year-old, who is from Caerleon area, was walking her dog at
A ROW has broken out over a decision to invite failed Labour election candidates to a lunch to celebrate the election of Newport’s new mayor. Conservative leader Matthew Evans hit out at the decision made by the leader of the ruling Labour Party
GWENT’S deputy coroner, Wendy James, is to raise her concerns about the monitoring of the health of newmothers following discharge from hospital with Assembly Health Minister Lesley Griffiths and the UK government. The move follows an inquest into
FAMILY and friends of a Newport bomb disposal expert killed following an explosion in Afghanistan held a memorial service for him yesterday. Dozens of family members, friends and veterans from the Royal British Legion paid their last respects
MEET the teenage sensation who is being hailed as a prospect with the potential to be the next Shane Williams or Jason Robin-son. Harry Robinson, who turned 19 last month, could become the latest Wales wing with the rugby world at his feet. The Cardiff
FORMER Wales and Liverpool striker Ian Rush was in Newport yesterday as work started on the new home of Welsh football in Spytty. Contractor ISG moved in the diggers to start work on the £5 million national football development centre, which
TWO men have been charged with fraud as part of a police investigation into a data centre in Blaenavon. Police have charged a 51- year-old man from the Pontypool area and a 50- year-old man from the Trelewis area following an investigation
FORMER Wales international Nathan Blake believes Ellis Harrison has the potential to follow in his footsteps from Newport to the Premier League after the youngster signed a professional contract with Bristol Rovers. Talented teenager Harri-son, who made
NEWPORT super-featherweight Craig Woodruff is ready to take the professional boxing world by storm after giving up on the amateur ranks. The 19-year-old takes on Swansea’s Liam Ellis at the Newport Centre tomorrow in his second fight as a pro. On his
AN EBBW Vale man risked everything when he gave up his factory job of 20 years to become a full-time artist. Now Jason Morgan is reaping the awards after winning an international art competition. Mr Morgan, 43, beat competition from
A CAR narrrowly missed a pedestrian before crashing into a wall in Maesglas this morning. The woman had to jump out of the way to avoid the speeding car which flattened a lamppost and a bollard before hitting a wall on the corner of Bideford
WINGER Darryl Knights insists he is to blame for failing to earn a new contract at Spytty Park. The former Kidderminster and Yeovil player was released on Wednesday after two seasons with the Exiles, making him one of a string of players to make his
GWENT organisations are backing moves by Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland to host the Euro 2020 football tournament. UEFA's deadline for formal expressions of interest was at midnight on Tuesday. Just days before Turkey was the only country
WALES’ Grand Slam captain Sam Warburton is fighting fit to face Australia next month as he targets a historic series win over the Tri Nations champions. The inspirational openside flanker missed much of his country’s Six Nations clean sweep with a succession
