REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2016: May and June

THE year's biggest sporting story for Wales unfolded hundreds of miles from Gwent, yet enthralled football fans in the area for weeks.

Pubs and clubs were packed, and countless front rooms from Newport to Abergavenny, Monmouth to Blackwood, played host to families eager to cheer on Wales' footballers at the 2016 European Championship finals in France.

Wales' qualification for Euro 2016 the previous autumn heralded the end of 58 years of hurt since the country last qualified for the finals of a major football tournament.

By the time Wales kicked off against Slovakia in Bordeaux on Saturday June 11, in the first of three Group B matches, the atmosphere in the stadium and at home was white hot.

Goals from Gareth Bale and Hal Robson-Kanu helped Wales to a fine 2-1 victory and the nation prepared to deliver an even bigger roar of communal joy as Wales took on England five days later in Lens.

An early Gareth Bale goal was cancelled out by Jamie Vardy before Daniel Sturridge nicked an injury time winner for England to dampen Welsh spirits.

On to Toulouse on June 21, and what proved a balmy and barmy night for Wales. There was no sign of nerves against Russia as goals from Aaron Ramsey, Neil Taylor and Bale once more, ensured Wales qualified in top spot.

Every player excelled in Wales' finest performance in many years, though midfielder Joe Allen and defender James Chester deserve special mention.

Another star performer, Newport-born Chris Gunter, labelled it "the best day of my life."

Saturday June 25 saw Wales edge past Northern Ireland 1-0 in a drab, hard-fought first knockout round match in Paris, thanks to a Gareth McAuley own goal.

As Wales progressed, so the fervour continued to grow back home. Fanzones in Cardiff and other cities and towns proved a popular means of enabling stay-at-home fans to watch their heroes in a communal setting.

But Newport did not have one. Efforts to organise a city centre fanzone had been frustrated, but as the team progressed, so the feeling grew that the city was missing out.

The Argus led the call for action and ahead of the quarter final against Belgium, it was announced that a 5,000-capacity fanzone would operate at Rodney Parade, through the latter, in partnership with the city council and Newport Live.

As events transpired, it would prove an inspired move, as Wales overcame an early setback to defeat a star-studded Belgium 3-1 on Friday July 1 on a memorable night in Lille.

At at Rodney Parade, some 2,000 fans watched the big screen enthralled and overjoyed as Ashley Williams, Robson-Kanu and Sam Vokes powered Wales into a semi-final showdown against Portugal.

There was to be a bittersweet second Rodney Parade fanzone night, attended by more than 3,000 fans, on Wednesday July 6, when Wales went down 0-2 to eventual champions Portugal in Lyon.

The dream was over but the whole of Wales had shared it, and the memories will not fade any time soon.

May 5

Newport's former passport office

PLANNING permission was granted to convert Newport’s former Passport Office to provide more than 60 apartments.

The 1960s-built Olympia House on Upper Dock Street comprises six floors of office space above 13 retail units.

It has been empty since the Passport Office moved out in April 2013, and Newport council’s planning committee approved the Tonstate Group’s application for a scheme involving 31 one-bedroomed and 31 two-bedroomed apartments.

May 5

THE Welsh Labour Party took the most seats in the National Assembly for Wales following an election that nevertheless left the Senedd with a different political make-up.

The party won 29 seats, one fewer than last time, with Plaid Cymru winning 12, the Welsh Conservatives 11, and UKIP seven.

Kirsty Williams quit as leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats after being the only candidate from the party to win a seat.

In Gwent, Labour won five of the six seats, and the Tories one, while UKIP (two, the Tories (one) and Plaid Cymru (one) picked up South East Wales regional seats.

Labour’s Carwyn Jones became First Minister again following negotiations with Plaid Cymru, after an initial vote by AMs for the role saw him deadlocked with Plaid’s Leanne Wood.

A deal reached several days later saw Mr Jones take up the role again. Labour determined to rule without a coalition deal, and Ms Williams, was brought into the cabinet fold as education secretary.

May 6

NEWPORT adventurer Richard Parks was forced to pull out of his latest quest - an expedition attempting to climb Mount Everest without using extra oxygen - due to medical complications.

The aim of the scientific research trip was to show the effects of extreme altitude on body and mind, and would have involved Mr Parks being the first person to collect a blood sample and muscle biopsy from the summit of the world’s highest mountain.

But issues discovered during tests on Mr Parks ahead of a push for the summit, indicated a dangerously high risk of life-threatening complications.

While admitting the situation was “a bitter pill to swallow” he said the decision to pull out had been the right one: “I’m at peace, but it’s been a brutal few days.”

May 9

A CWMBRAN mum told the Argus how she risked her life to save her neighbour from a second floor flat fire.

Abbie Gough, aged 29, of St Dials, pulled 83-year-old Les Chamberlain from his smoke-filled flat on Friday May 6, after climbing from her balcony to his when she smelled smoke.

She was helped by fellow Shakespeare Road resident Annette Freestone.

“It was lucky I was at home, as usually I would be at work at that time on a Friday afternoon,” said Miss Gough, who has a two-year-old daughter.

Mr Chamberlain, who was treated for smoke inhalation, said: “I’m very thankful. It was very kind of her to help me.”

May 14

MORE than 70 fines were issued in just two days to motorists for illegally parking on Newport city centre streets, as Gwent Police responded to a rising number of complaints from businesses and the public.

City centre inspector Kevin Warren said illegal parking disrupted traffic flow, compromised pedestrians’ safety, and “has a huge impact on residents, visitors and businesses.”

Business owners claimed traffic regulations were ignored by many drivers, with one calling the situation in the High Street and Market Street area “ridiculous.”

May 15

EBBW Vale RFC upset the odds to become Principality Premiership champions after thrashing holders Pontypridd 38-12 in the latter’s own Sardis Road ‘backyard’.

Six years after relegation from the top flight, and a year after defeat in the Grand Final in their return season, Ebbw Vale put on an irresistable display that had boss Nigel Davies purring.

Skipper Damian Hudd, later named the league’s player of the season, led the way, and Davies said: “I am very proud of them. The team spirit here is second to none.”

May 19

PARENTS, teachers and pupils were celebrating after an unpopular decision to refuse planning permission for a Welsh medium secondary school in Newport - linked to a revamp for an existing school on the same site - was overturned.

In February, Newport council’s planning committee turned down an application for the Welsh school to be built on part of the existing Duffryn High School site, citing flooding concerns.

The decision put the multi-million pound Welsh school plans in jeopardy, along with a redevelopment of Duffryn High School.

But following a furious reaction from parents, pupils, teachers and language campaigners, the plan was resubmitted and was passed by the full council with an overwhelming majority.

May 25

SINGER Paolo Nutini announced a one-off gig in Newport in aid of heartbroken 13-year-old Ieuan Joel Jones, who had pleaded with the singer to play at his mum Bevlee’s funeral in April.

Ms Jones, of St Julians, Newport, who died suddenly in her sleep in March at the age of 34, had been a massive fan of the Scottish singer. Mr Nutini had been unable to grant her son’s request, but rang him on the day of her funeral to offer his condolences.

The show, scheduled for July 20 at the Newport Centre, was to be the singer’s only show of 2016, with all proceeds going into a trust fund for the teenager.

“I wanted to help him in any way I could,” said Mr Nutini.

June 10

IT was announced that work was due to start on a new primary school at the site of the former Alcan factory in Rogerstone.

The 300-place school, at what is now called Jubilee Park, is part of what will ultimately be a 1,000-home development, on a site covering 100 acres.

For decades the Alcan - latterly Novelis - site was a major employer and producer of aluminium, but the plant was closed in 2009 and the site lay derelict for more than three years before redevelopment began.

June 10

THOUSANDS of railway enthusiasts gathered across Gwent to catch a glimpse of the Flying Scotsman, Britain’s most famous steam engine, as it passed through on the way to London.

The train steamed through Abergavenny, Pontypool and Cwmbran, becoming the subject of countless photographs and videos along the way.

“It’s great to see it coming through Cwmbran and it’s good to see steam back on the railway,” said Stuart Matthews, of Cwmbran, among scores of people who saw the engine pass through the town’s station.

June 14

TWO months after cardiac arrest victim Calum Howie’s life was saved by a combination of a friend’s quick thinking and the skill and dedication of doctors and nurses, the Newport NHS worker and wife Lisa told his survival story, to say a public “thank you.”

The 48-year-old’s life was saved firstly by friend and colleague Colin Evans - who used CPR following Mr Howie’s collapse in his office at St Woolos Hospital on April 13 - and then by staff at the Royal Gwent Hospital, where he spent almost three weeks in and out of intensive care.

“We want to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone - Colin, the paramedics, staff in resus, intensive care, coronary care, facilities, security - everyone has been fantastic,” said Mr Howie.

“They are responsible for me still being here.”

June 22

A PUBLIC inquiry into the proposed M4 Relief Road was announced for the autumn.

To be held in Newport, it was expected to take about five months, and would focus on the proposed £1.2 billion ‘black’ route through the Gwent Levels.

Welsh Government economy and infrastructure secretary Ken Skates said however, that the independent planning inspector would also look at other proposals, including the ‘blue’ route that would utilise the existing route of the Southern Distributor Road.

June 23

BRITAIN voted to leave the European Union by a 52 per cent-48 per cent vote in a referendum that triggered the resignation of Prime David Cameron and began a period of significant and ongoing political turmoil.

An Argus poll published just days before voters decided on the issue, indicated a strong majority in Gwent in favour of Brexit and this was borne out on the day.

Newport, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Caerphilly all returned results in favour of Brexit.

Only Monmouthshire - narrowly - voted to remain in the EU, but the outcome in other parts of Gwent was more emphatic. The ‘leave’ vote in Newport was 56 per cent, and in Caerphilly 57.6 per cent, but in Blaenau Gwent it was a whopping 68 per cent.

June 29

Danielle Vaughan with baby Kairen

The Argus reported that little Kairen Vaughan stopped the traffic when his mum Danielle went into labour with him on a Newport street.

Ms Vaughan appeared about to give birth after the car in which she was being taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital had to stop on Vaughan Williams Drive, Alway, as her labour pains intensified.

She received roadside help from family and friends and an ambulance blocked the road for a period, preventing a bus from passing, before she was finally taken to the hospital.

And then, nothing. Despite fully expecting to have her baby within minutes of arrival, it was almost two more days before Kairen was born, during which she had been sent home.

“It was a slow labour for three days, but then he came really quickly,” said Ms Vaughan.