FROM THE ARCHIVE: Newport hailed as boom town

A gent’s full set of clothes was found behind the Corporation Rd Power Station, Newport. It was established that the the clothes which included personal items in the pockets, were not the property of the only man reported missing in the area at that time.

Improvements were taking place to the approach to Newport Railway Station.

A man was admitted to the Royal Gwent Hospital with a self-inflicted razor cut to the throat. Warnings were issued that depression was a serious issue.

In spite of an outbreak of small pox in the Newport area, health officials were insisting that there was no cause for concern.

50 years ago

An eight ton, Newport Corporation, diesel, roller ran out of control at Coleridge Road heading towards a busy junction at Chepstow Rd. A serious accident was averted with only seconds to spare when the driver swung the roller off the road and into a garden wall.

The financial result of the eisteddfod at Abergavenny was officially stated to be a loss of £400.

Monmouthshire housewives faced a rise in the price of beef and lamb. The increases were blamed on a gentleman’s agreement with Argentina by the Minister of Agriculture, to restrict imports of meat.

A new road built at Henllys Way, Cwmbran to take fast and heavy traffic was leading to speculation that the area was ear-marked for more development.

25 years ago

British rail area management staff said goodbye to their base in Newport after their responsibilities were carved up between Cardiff and Hereford as part of BR rationalisation plans.

Upper Cwmbran Methodist Chapel held its first marriage ceremony for 177 years after finally being registered for marriage in 1985. It wasn’t understood why the chapel had remained un-registered for so long.

Newport was being hailed as a boom town with another 300 factory job announcement expected in the next month.

Local councillors were demanding a full investigation following a disclosure that cluster bombs were damaged in an incident at Newport Docks. An RAF bomb disposal team had been called in to check the cargo.