A LABOUR councillor has slammed Torfaen council's Cabinet system as "undemocratic". As the council begins a consultation on options for the future of local government in Torfaen, St Dial's ward member Kath Edmunds claimed the current decision-making process
AN ARSONIST who set fire to his flat was sent to prison yesterday. Kevin Lee Bridgeman, aged 27, of High Street, Blaina, was sentenced to three and a half years at Newport crown court by Recorder Stephen Hopkins, QC. Bridgeman, who the court heard has
FEWER people are dying on Gwent's roads, but drivers are still having as many accidents as ever, according to new road accident figures. The latest figures from the National Statistics Office reveal that 30 people died on Gwent's roads in 1999. The figure
WALES prop Iestyn Thomas returns to the Ebbw Vale side tomorrow (2:30pm) for a game Mike Ruddock believes will be one of their toughest of the season. Thomas is back from international duty against Ireland and will replace Damien Penisini to face Welsh
POPULAR singer and star of Phantom of the Opera and HTV's Young at Heart, Peter Karrie, pictured, visits St Davids Hall tonight and Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon on October 25. The show is billed as a new musicals extravaganza, and will feature a packed
NEWPORT County are still aiming for promotion to the Nationwide Conference and hope to kick-start their stuttering season with a home win over Moor Green tomorrow (3pm). Newly-appointed assistant manager Jason Perry says the Exiles will continue to strive
IN AN age that favours image over substance, Thea Gilmore's lyrics hit you like a smack in the face. Nothing unusual about the themes - love, pain, social observation - but their firepower is breathtaking. The 21-year-old's confidence, insistence and
CORUS' new chief executive Tony Pedder is to be asked by Newport MP Alan Howarth to think again about closing Llanwern's sports and social club. The move comes after Mr Pedder boasted about the company's contribution to the local community. Mr Howarth
AN ATTEMPT by two South Wales Labour MPs to legalise the sale of cannabis has been condemned by a leading member of the Assembly. Newport West MP Paul Flynn and his colleague in Cardiff Central, Jon Owen Jones - the former Welsh Office minister - are
A GWENT computer programmer hanged himself after leaving a chilling answer-machine message, an inquest heard yesterday. Rowland Riley, pictured, aged 68, from Mounton Road, Chepstow, mowed the lawn, tidied away his clothes, then left a message on his
IT doesn't seem five minutes since they went back to school but school pupils are already gearing up for October half term. We've been looking round Gwent for some ideas of how to keep the youngsters occupied: FROM making witches' hats and hallowe'en
SPEEDWAY fans will be treated to a double header at Hayley Stadium on Sunday when one of Newport Wasps' favourite sons makes his eagerly-awaited return to the venue. Australian star Craig Watson was part of the Wasps team which enjoyed a hugely successful
NEWPORT coach Ian McIntosh (pictured) has given his support to Wales counterpart Graham Henry in the wake of the Saturday's devastating 36-6 home defeat by Ireland. McIntosh says the volatile reaction of Welsh fans to the defeat is understandable and
NEWPORT chief executive Keith Grainger (pictured) has blamed new TV schedules for not bolstering Rodney Parade attendances this season. But it's not the bumper home support that's the problem. The Black & Ambers chief executive says games moved to
MASTER faces pupil tomorrow night (7.05pm) when Newport bid to maintain their superb recent run with a Welsh/Scottish League victory over visiting champions Swansea. The Master is Newport coach Ian McIntosh and the pupil Swansea coach John Plumtree, (
EVERYBODY at Bedwas is happy with their superb start to life in Welsh Division One. But no-one is happier than impressive back row forward Hywel Davies. Davies has been with the club for 13 years, moving up through the ranks from the youth team, and has
America's Sweetheart (12) FANCY a laugh? There are plenty on offer in America's Sweethearts. No real side-splitters, but a steady flow of out-loud titters. Written by, co-produced and co-starring Billy Crystal, who shows there is plenty of mileage in
WELSH rugby hero Robert Jones was in Newport this week to sign copies of his new autobiography, Raising the Dragon. The former Wales and British Lion scrum half met fans in Ottakar's book shop in Commercial Street. He won 54 caps between 1986 and 1995
MY partner Maria and I visited The Castle Inn at Usk late last Saturday to find the restaurant area full of customers. Everyone there seemed to be enjoying the food and the relaxed, informal atmosphere. The menu has a wide selection and the wine list
WORRIED Gwent aluminium plant workers should hear if they will still have a job at Newport's Alcan works by Christmas. The workers were stunned yesterday to hear that 1,000 jobs are to be shed from Alcan's rolled products business across Europe. Some
CWMBRAN Town are homeless again (writes Peter Shuttleworth). The Crows had to vacate Cwmbran Stadium for this season as it undergoes a £5.1m redevelopment. Port Talbot Town offered the Gwent side shared use of their council-owned Victoria Road ground,
THREE former pit canteen workers fear they could have missed out on thousands of pounds in a pay deal they say they didn't know about. And now a mining union is considering taking legal action over comments made by Energy Minister Brian Wilson about why
NEWPORT centre Andy Marinos, pictured, is expecting another physical battle against Swansea tonight as Newport bid to complete a hat-trick of home victories over the Welsh champions. Marinos has been involved in all Newport's clashes with the All Whites
THERE are so many boy bands in the charts these days that it gets harder and harder to make an impression. When Blue's debut single entered the UK top ten at number four in May this year it turned a few heads and sold nearly 300,000 copies. Three months
YOUNGSTERS in Wales are taking part in more after-school fun and games than ever, new figures show. A report by the Sports Council for Wales, released today, says that 77 per cent of seven to eleven-year-olds take part in extra-curricular sports. The
