HERE is what was making the news in Argus 100, 50 and 25 years ago. * Lowest death rate on record in Abersychan * 20,000 seat open-air theatre gets go-ahead in Cwmbran * Abergavenny not consulted on nuclear bunker.

100 YEARS AGO

● The medical officer of health, Dr J.W Mulligan, reported the lowest death rate on record at a monthly meeting of Abersychan council. In the past month there were 13 deaths and 69 births registered in the district.

● It was announced that Newport’s pleasure steamer, the Glen Afon, would make her maiden voyage from Newport to Bristol at the weekend under Capt Webber and carrying 1,100 passengers.

● Three Abertillery milk vendors were each fined £5 and ordered to pay five guineas costs and court fees for selling milk deficient in fat.

● A boy, nine, of Wainfelin, Pontypool, was admitted to Pontypool and District Hospital after falling from a tree in woodland and fracturing his skull.

● Newport councillors laughed off a suggestion to purchase a small boat to assist in the removal of weeds at the model yacht sailing pond at Shaftesbury Park.

50 YEARS AGO

● Newport swimming baths would not close because of the Monmouthshire polio outbreak. The town council said there was no risk of infection where a high level of chlorine was maintained.

● A revised plan for an open-air theatre to hold 20,000 people in Cwmbran was given the go-ahead.

The attraction was estimated to cost £20,000 and would form part of the new Oakfield Road Gardens.

● A fare increase on 70 per cent of bus services operated by Western Welsh Omnibus Company and Red and White Services were reported.

● A minister from London was unhurt when his car skidded, overturned and caught fire at Spring Wells, Ross Road, Abergavenny.

Damage to the car was estimated at £250.

● It was announced that West Elliot Pit, New Tredegar was to close in October.

25 YEARS AGO

● The Argus used all its 400 billboards to display a picture of a missing eight-year-old from Talywain, Pontypool. Divers joined up to 150 volunteers in Talywain in a hunt for the boy four days after he went missing.

● The maternity unit at County Hospital, Griffithstown, near Pontypool was under threat after it was claimed that doctors were unwilling to travel up the Gwent Valley to treat expectant mothers.

● Town councillor John Lambert claimed the people of Abergavenny were not consulted on whether they wanted a nuclear bunker in their town hall.

Mr Lambert described the plan by Monmouth District Council as “unnecessary”.