THE Now and Then picture is the Commercial Road, Newport.

They were taking up the tram lines. On the left is The Alma Inn on the corner of George Street and in the middle was the red telephone box and on the corner is the boxing club.

There used to be a wine lodge across from the Alma Inn and there used to be a fair ground and a pub called The Salutation which Mullingans Island was and now it is a merchant navy memorial statue and a new police station. Also in the area is the Picton Arms and opposite is the Irish Club. Along side there used to be a brewery where people took there Christmas puddings to be steamed up for Christmas.

M Reardon, Newport

THIS week's picture is on the corner of George Street and, Commercial Road, going towards the phone box used to be the Alma pub.

I do believe it is still trading as one. Where the Yellow Wallis was one of my sisters used to live in an upstairs flat in the 50’s and 60’s (dreadful it was).

Towards the now police station on the corner, at the time was a well known public house “The Salutation” with a reputation (I'll say no more). Behind the pub was always a funfair.

On the main Commercial Road was “Pells” the sweet shop. A well known factory in Newport, next to the Picton Pub was a Chinese laundry, the shop counter had a large mesh frame to keep the customers from the owners. I cannot remember the Irish Club being there as next door where the Mosque now stands was our local GP.

Oh! I could go on and on.

Looking at the picture it all comes back to me.

Hard times but nice to have memories.

I am an 80 -year- old lady who was born down in Pill.

Mrs Mary Stock, Newport