CHOP-TACKLING Wales flanker Dan Lydiate intends to add a new dimension to his game in the Six Nations.The 27-year-old blindside has earned himself the reputation as one of the finest defensive players on the planet, becoming a master of bringing big runners
PONTYPOOL Museum is starting off the year with an exhibition of work by Pontypool and District Art Club, in its exhibition space Cafe Art.The art club has supported the museum’s campaign of trying to attract 1,000 new members to make up for a £19,000
NEWPORT County striker Aaron O’Connor admits the Exiles players want to reward manager Justin Edinburgh by recovering from their blip, writes Michael Pearlman.The Exiles have been defeated on the road twice in the week, their 4-0 and 3-0 reverses at Cambridge
MONMOUTHSHIRE councillors have agreed to look further into a levy that could be charged on new developments across the county. The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) was first introduced by the Westminster government in April 2010 and enables authorities
WEARING bibs and using litter-pickers, pupils at Chepstow primary school take it in turns to keep the school grounds tidy.Each day, pupils at The Dell give up part of their lunch break to clear the school playground and grounds of any litter.A group of
AN ABERGAVENNY man has been handed a Criminal Behaviour Order (CRIMBO) for his anti-social behaviour. Craig Osbourne, 42, was handed the three year order after his drunk and harassing behaviour in Abergavenny Town Centre. The order, which replaces
A HUSBAND and wife duo will celebrate their first year running a Tintern cafe tomorrow. Vin and Lou Kennedy, who live in St Arvans, have run The Filling Station Cafe on Main Road since January 27 last year. Mr Kennedy, an electrician by trade, said he
NEW Welsh laws to protect monuments and historic buildings will be discussed in spring.Ken Skates, deputy culture minister, wants to pass legislation to better protect and care for the country's historic environment.The Heritage Bill is designed to give
TWIN sisters from Caerphilly celebrated their 103rd birthday this month becoming the UK’s oldest twins.The sisters Florence Davies and Glenys Thomas, who are residents at HC-One Abermill Care Home in Caerphilly inherited the title of the UK’s oldest twins
MP for Islwyn, Chris Evans, has branded the recent rise of the Severn Bridge toll a barrier to business and tourism. In a recent Welsh Question Mr Evans asked Welsh Secretary, Stephen Crabb, to meet with the Chancellor urgently to get VAT off the toll.The
THE headteacher at the centre of test cheating allegations in Rogerstone created a "culture of fear" in school where staff staff felt intimidated and threatened, a Teaching Council panel heard today. Former Rogerstone Primary school head Sam Yeoman
MORE people across Gwent stated their religion was Jedi Knight than said they were either Buddist, Hindu, Jewish, or Sikh, statistics show.Details collected in the 2011 census showed that 1,381 people across Gwent marked their religion as Jedi Knight
A PROJECT to create a memorial window in memory of one of Wales’ most charismatic priests has moved a step further.Cannon Mark Soady, the Vicar of St Mary’s Priory Church, Abergavenny, is hopeful that a stained glass Jesse Window will be in place in the
JESSOPS Photography Store is looking for photographers of all ages and abilities to enter their Photographer of the Year competition.The Newport store, based in Sainsbury’s at Albany Street, is holding a series of monthly photography competitions throughout
RETAIL giant Sports Direct has been given the go ahead for its proposal to convert part of the former Megabowl site in Newport into a megastore, it has been revealed. Owners, Pontypool-based Johnsey Estates, are now waiting to see if the planning
LAST week the number of Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants in Newport East fell to 1,752. This is certainly welcome, but came in a week where we also learned that only one in five of those who have had their benefits taken away are known to have found work
Business leaders across Gwent and the rest of Wales are invited to enter the IoD Wales Director of the Year Awards 2015.The awards have become an established highlight on the Welsh business calendar and celebrate business achievements across Wales while
Paul Fosh Auctions is number one in the charts in Wales for the 10th year in succession.The Newport-based auction house has achieved this unprecedented achievement in the national auction league by selling the most properties at the highest combined value
THREE men today pleaded not guilty to a charge of violent disorder following an incident in Maindee on Saturday. Stephen Jones, 57, of Fron Hafren, Newtown, 54-year-old Raymond Scaddon, of Beaufort Street, Brynmawr and 53-year-old Andrew McCann
GWENT Police have release a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to following theft from Sainsbury's in Cwmbran. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting log 406 22/01/15.
Continuous fighting in the Argonne and Alsace Further French progress British airmen at Zeebrugge Effective bomb dropping THE news from the sea temporarily thrusts into the background that concerning land operations but yesterday’s
IT IS OFTEN said that the best ideas are simple ones.And we are hoping that the two women who have come up with an easy, no-spill sun cream applicator for children will soon see their idea turn into a business success for them.Between them, Kellis Aspland
NEWPORT County are expecting that their management team of Justin Edinburgh, Jimmy Dack and Wayne Hatswell will sign new contracts this week with the club set to back their manager in the transfer market. The Exiles have seen manager Justin Edinburgh
TWO men have been arrested on suspicion of robbery after an incident in Duffryn last week. A 17 year old has been released on police bail pending further enquiries and an 18 year old remains in police custody. A 40 year old man was cycling
A Pontypool company, which manufactures and designs high quality ventilation products for the global market, has trained its staff to use the latest laser technology thanks to a training grant from Torfaen council.Flamgard Calidair, which currently employs
A former bus inspector who used to work on the frontline helping passengers and commuters using the buses of Newport will now be responsible for the city’s entire municipal bus network, after becoming one of the UK’s youngest elected board directors of
VISION OF HOPE charity wish to thank Usk Vale Poultry, Pontypool for their generous assistance in enabling us to provide fresh turkey dinners for homeless people in Newport and Cardiff over the Christmas period which was greatly appreciated. D
I WISH to thank the staff at the Royal Gwent for their excellent and prompt attention. We hear that the NHS is under pressure, but I was seen by my GP, sent to the Royal Gwent and in 26 total hours was operated on and discharged (hernia). I received
IF YOU ever need a better example of how to cause traffic chaos, past, present and, more than likely, future, then look no further than the nightmare that is the queue outside the Royal Gwent Hospital at peak times. I have recently been visiting
The subject of business rates is one that we have returned to many times at FSB Wales.Our reason for doing so is that the current system of business rates is placing a disproportionate burden on many small firms.Its impact can be seen all too clearly
CND CYMRU and Côr Cochion will be joined by many other peace activists from Wales to support a demonstration outside the Royal Gwent Hospital on Saturday, as part of a UK wide protest at the spiralling cost of Trident. The Royal Gwent, like so many
MR R JOHN SMITH asks if I have heard of free speech. Yes, I have, and I have also heard that free speech brings responsibilities which should include some standards of decency and sensitivity regarding the feelings of others. In this regard, Mr
FOLLOWING on from our house burglary on December 18 when we wrote an open letter to the perpetrators which you kindly printed, we read with sadness and incredulity about the thefts from cars which took place on the same night. After comparing the CCTV
A GRIFFITHSTOWN woman who turned 90 celebrated her birthday by raising £400 for a Gwent-based charity at a party. Dora Macey, of Maple Road South, asked friends and relatives to bring donations rather than gifts to a bash at Panteg Rugby Club earlier
CHRISTIAN Jolley has joined Conference outfit Grimsby.Jolley, who scored against the Mariners in the Conference play-off semi-finals in 2013, will feature at Blundell Park until at least the end of the campaign.In a statement on their official website
A GWENT man has been jailed after he threatened police officers with an airgun. David Black, aged 32, of Meadway Road, Rogiet, Monmouthshire, was sentenced at Newport Crown Court today for possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause
NEWPORT Cathedral will be commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day on Tuesday, January 27 with a memorial service. Tuesday will mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp as well as the 20th anniversary of
ANOTHER high profile American drama will be filmed in Wales, it has been announced. The Bastard Executioner, which will be made by Fox 21 Television Studios, Imagine Television and FX Productions, will be filmed in South Wales from March. A filming location
A range of projects in Gwent have contributed to orders for Welsh businesses totalling more than £130m within the last five years, a construction company has revealed.BAM Construction is behind major health developments, Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan in Ebbw
A FORMER bus inspector who used to work on the frontline helping commuters using the buses of Newport will now be responsible for the city’s entire municipal bus network after becoming one of the UK’s youngest ever elected board directors of a bus company.Morgan
A security firm, a fencing and environmental barrier provider, and a family-run scrap metal recycling and skip hire company are just some of the diverse businesses across Gwent which are benefiting from the Welsh Government business support service, Business
EBBW Vale centre Carl Meyer will feature for Newport Gwent Dragons in their LV= Cup clash against Exeter on Sunday as the region bolster their midfield ranks. The South African has been training with the Dragons and is poised for a debut against
AROUND 100 people took to the streets of Newport on Sunday night in the name of peace as part of a vigil organised by the Islamic Society for Wales.The society held a Peace and Unity candlelit Vigil in the city centre at 6pm and people gathered outside
UPDATE: 1.45pm A LAWYER representing a headteacher at the centre of test cheating allegations defended her client today saying her colleagues had taken part in the alleged scam. Gwylim Roberts-Harry quizzed an education investigator after the
POLICE have appealed for information after hair straighteners and a razor were stolen from a Boots store. The theft took place from the Blackwood branch on High Street on Monday January 19th at about 4.20pm. Police would like to speak to the
THE abusive pasts of more than 1,300 violent partners have been revealed under a scheme piloted in Gwent and rolled out nationally less than a year ago, figures obtained by the Press Association have shown. Clare's Law, named after Clare Wood -
AN INDUSTRIAL sander and a fishing rod were recovered following a police raid in Alway last week. Gwent Police have appealed for information following the recovery. A 32 year old man and a 24 year old woman were arrested on suspicion of burglary
Competitive pub games, including darts, table football and shoveha’penny was the theme at Newport law firm HardingEvans New Year Party held at its Queens Chambers offices on North Street, Newport, last Friday.For more pictures from the event visit www.facebook.com
MANY outpatient services have been cancelled at the two main hospitals in Cardiff today due "to extreme pressures on services". Both University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and the University Hospital Llandough have ahd to to cancel and rearrange
A Newport pharmacist and postmaster is moving into new premises and expanding the services on offer.Asim Ali, owner of OCI Consulting, which runs Pill Pharmacy and Post Office, has bought and redeveloped two properties on Commercial Road with help from
TWO people were injured in a crash between a car and a taxi on Chepstow Road in Newport on Saturday. The pair suffered minor injuries in the crash and were taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital after a blue Volkswagen Passat and a black BMW collided
Ten technology businesses in Gwent businesses have been shortlisted in the 2015 ESTnet Awards, which celebrate the success of Wales’ technology industry. Finalists from Gwent include start-up businesses Learnium and Enjovia, both recent graduates of the
NEWPORT’S branch of UKIP appeared in turmoil at the weekend as their chairman appealed for help to “rid this branch of EDL sympathisers”. Mike Chaffin posted on the branch’s Facebook page: “Not in my name, not in my party and not in my town!”
AN ASTEROID said to be the size "of a cruise ship" should be visible over Wales tonight, giving star-gazers a chance to see the once in 200-year event. The orbiting lump of rock will pass just 745,000 miles, or 1.2 million km from earth. The
WORK is now fully under way to create a 60-bedroom Premier Inn hotel in Newport city centre after the project was given the green light by Newport City Council and Cadw. Richard Hayward Properties was granted permission for a change of use of the
LOCAL authorities in Gwent were hit by 254 claims by drivers for damage caused to their vehicles by potholes in the last financial year. Of these cases, 44 were succesful and saw councils pay out £13,186.41. The total number of cases submitted
NEWPORT councillors will be asked to pass a plan tomorrow (Tues) that will formalise proposals to build over 10,000 new homes in the city over the next 11 years.They will be asked to give the city council’s local development plan (LDP) the green light
A MAN has appeared in court charged with robbery and possession of an offensive weapon after an incident last week. The 28 year old man from Risca was charged following an incident on Dan y Graig Road, Risca at 8.30pm on Thursday January 22nd.
TWO people have been arrested after a fire in Abergavenny town centre on Boxing Day. Two teenage boys, aged 16 and 17, have been arrested on suspicion of arson and released on police bail pending further enquiries. The blaze was in a derelict
LABOUR has pledged to invest Wales’ share of the planned mansion tax into the Welsh NHS. The move would see money from the so-called 'Barnett consequential' from the mansion tax (the portion of UK revenue given to Wales), tobacco levy and cracking
1788: The first consignment of convicts from England arrived in Australia, at Sydney Cove. 1828: The Duke of Wellington became Prime Minister. 1841: Hong Kong was proclaimed British sovereign territory. 1871: The Rugby Football Union
A CRUMLIN man who was chased by police for driving dangerously through Blackwood streets was jailed. Shane Purnell, 25, of Plynlimon Avenue, Croespenmaen, pleaded guilty at Cardiff Crown Court to one count of dangerous driving, one count of driving
STAY at home Cwmbran mums have turned into business women after inventing a new sun cream applicator.Mother of four, Kelli Aspland, 36, and mother of three, Laura Griffin, 32, have started their own company, Auriella, after inventing a new sun cream applicator
UPDATE: 8.50am: Traffic is slow but moving both ways between the Lower Dock Street junction and the Corporation Road junction in Newport. UPDATE: 8.16am: There is queueing traffic on the A48(M) westbound between M4 J29 and J29A A48 Eastern
A PERVERT was jailed for more than three years for the possession of 4,800 child abuse images and distributing three indecent videos - one which included a baby. At Newport Crown Court on Friday, Thomas Williams, aged 29, of Shirenewton, who had
A BURGLAR fled an 81-year-old Newport woman's home after she shouted at him as light from his torch flitted across her bedroom wall, a court was told. Joseph Curley was described by Judge Tom Crowther QC as a "career burglar" from whom the public
7:03pm May the Force be with you - more than 1,000 Gwent people say Jedi is their faith MORE people across Gwent stated their religion was Jedi Knight than said they were either Buddist, Hindu, Jewish, or Sikh, statistics
