100 years ago

A MAN was in a critical condition after falling through the skylight at Kings Chambers, High Street, Newport. He had been cleaning some very awkward windows.

A case was brought against a Newport publican at the police court. The licensee of the Rodney Arms was summoned for permitting his premises to be habitually occupied by bad characters.

The Alexandra Dock Company announced a record year at the annual meeting of shareholders. Prince Arthur was due to open the new lock.

50 years ago

A SELF-CONTAINED children’s section and a school for child patients were both standing idle at Llanfrechfa Grange Hospital owing to a reluctance amongst nurses and untrained staff to apply for the vacant positions.

At a meeting held at Bassaleg Junior School, a Labour party was formed for the Bassaleg area and officers duly elected.

Accidents and personal injuries on Newport roads were much higher this January as the heavy snow, ice and freezing temperatures of the previous year had kept vehicles off the road altogether.

A project to build new flats at Rogerstone at an estimated cost of £112,000 was behind schedule with a serious shortage of bricks at the root of the problem. Brickworks were estimating a waiting time of nine months for certain types of brick.

25 years ago

CELEBRATIONS were under way at Rhiwderin after it was announced that Dutch firm Center Parcs had withdrawn their plan for a holiday park in the village.

Newport planners gave the go-ahead for a controversial development of 82 flats on the Belle Vue Hotel site in Stow Park Avenue.

Gwent video shop managers hit out at irresponsible parents who were taking adult films out for children. They said that they were powerless to stop them.

Top level plans to close Llanfrechfa Grange, Gwent’s only hospital for the mentally disabled, within four years, were attacked by bitter relatives who claimed that health chiefs had promised a no shut-down timetable.