It's crossroads time for Sir Clive Woodward and his British Lions tour party in New Zealand. For the thousands of fans already Down Under and many more getting up here early on Saturday morning bleary eyed to go down the pub or pull up their armchairs
WINNING Blaenau Gwent will be a "real challenge" after years of it being one of Labour's safest seats, a former senior minister said yesterday. On a campaign visit to Tredegar, former home secretary David Blunkett stopped short of admitting the constituency
Nick Ramsay Conservative NICK Ramsay is 29. He is a Monmouthshire county councillor, a school governor and works for the Conservatives in the Assembly. Nick grew up in Cwmbran and attended Croesyceiliog School before gaining his degree from Durham University
WE asked readers in Ebbw Vale yesterday about the battle for Blaenau Gwent David Thomas Taylor, 84, Tyllywn - "I don't think Peter Law can win it but he's a great chap." Ena Roberts, 68, Ebbw Vale - "I love Peter Law because he has stood up to the Labour
THE Labour party last night refused to comment after the Argus revealed rebel Blaenau Gwent Assembly Member Peter Law may yet stand against them in the General Election. Less than two weeks ago Mr Law - who has battled with Labour over its policy of all-women
Newcastle boss Rob Andrew, pictured, has hailed the selection of Falcons centres Mathew Tait and Jamie Noon for England's RBS 6 Nations Championship opener against Wales. Tait, 19 next Sunday, will become the youngest England debutant since his Newcastle
LABOUR stalwart Tony Benn joined the call to Blaenau Gwent voters to support the party's candidate Maggie Jones at a May Day rally yesterday. The 80-year-old politician was at the "rally in the valleys" in Brynmawr, which was attended by around 150 people
PONTYPOOL middleweight Tony Doherty's next fight will be on the Amir Khan debut bill at the 7,000-seater Bolton Arena on July 16. And the unbeaten youngster is happy to act as a warm-up to the main bout of the evening, even though he has won all his 14
Huw Edwards Labour I am pleased to write to you and outline why I want your support on May 5. I have been proud to serve people of the Monmouth constituency for the last nine years and I want to continue to be the strong voice in Westminster. I have set
WALES coach Mike Ruddock is considering giving Gavin Henson, hero of Saturday's mouth-watering victory over England, the kicks on a regular basis. Ruddock will talk with his fellow selectors this week and high on the agenda ahead of their next Six Nations
WELSH rugby hero Michael Owen got a double dose of joy when he dashed over the line just in time for the birth of his second daughter. Months after being part of the victorious Welsh rugby team in the Six Nations championship, Michael now has fresh cause
FIVE serving Gwent police officers were arrested today in connection with alleged offences of misconduct and corruption following an internal investigation. A local man was also arrested and a criminal investigation into the allegations is now under way
MARTYN Williams wins his 50th cap on Saturday in an international career that has spanned nine years. And the Cardiff Blues flanker admits Wales have never been so confident of upsetting the apple-cart and beating the old-enemy - England. Williams was
WALES are now well equipped to take on the huge challenge facing them in the next year as they continue their build-up to the 2007 World Cup. That is the positive outcome of their tour to North America, believes coach Mike Ruddock, after he blooded seven
The Roman Lodge, Caerleon. THE Roman Lodge on Ponthir Road out of Caerleon, consists of a hotel, bar and restaurant offering a choice of Mediterranean-influenced food as well as traditional British fare. Starters range from soup to escargots and grilled
Paul Flynn - Labour YOUR vote could have repercussions across the world. Here in Newport, we're doing well. Labour's delivered a strong economy, a good deal for pensioners, families and children, plus record investment in public services. Unemployment
Maggie Jones, Labour This election is about the future for Blaenau Gwent. With a Labour MP and a Labour government we can seize new opportunities for investment and regeneration that builds on our proud history. As a lifelong trade union campaigner and
Don Touhig Labour THERE is no greater privilege than representing people from my own valleys in Parliament. I was born and brought up in the valleys and live with my family in Blackwood. As I go around the constituency talking to people I better understand
WALES replacement back row forward Ryan Jones has been ruled out of Wales' second Six Nations Championship game of the season against Italy in Rome on Saturday. Jones went on for Dafydd Jones in the 63rd minute against England, but damaged a shoulder
THE PARTNER of one of the four men men killed in the tragic accident last night told how she begged him not to go because of a "bad feeling" about the fishing trip. Jodie Sefton, who has two young children with 30-year-old Andrew Brooks, said she had
WITH more than one million people visiting every year, the landmark Eden Project is one of the UK's most successful new tourist attractions built in recent years and makes a rewarding day out with its unique interactive mixture of education and entertainment
PETER Howells has helped 2,000 walkers and climbers in the Brecon Beacons during more than 40 years of voluntary service. Whether lost, injured or both, the chances are that if anyone has got into difficulties in the Beacons since the early 1960s, Mr
Richard Turner-Thomas Independent I AM your Independent candidate, an ordinary, hardworking construction supervisor, 55 years old and my grandchildren live in Torfaen. I have supervised contracts up to £150 million value for MOD, Highways Agency, local
FOR Gwent walkers who fancy a spring saunter, the 2004 Wye Valley season officially opens this weekend. The beautiful Forest of Dean, which covers 35 square miles spanning the Rivers Wye and Severn between England and Wales, is known as the Queen of Britain's
WALES coach Mike Ruddock is using video footage of Newport Gwent Dragons' matches against Newcastle in this season's Heineken Cup to help plot the downfall of England at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday. Tapes of the two games are giving Ruddock an
A TRIP to Curro's in Cross Street, Caerleon ,is one of life's bankers when it comes to dining out in Newport. The popular Italian in the Caerleon village has forged a well-deserved reputation for its consistently high quality food and friendly service
CLAIMS that former Assembly health minister Jane Hutt lost her job because Welsh Labour MPs feared for their seats due to the performance of the NHS in Wales resurfaced at an election question time event in Newport last night. Dr Bill Morgan, Conservative
BLAENAU Gwent will be one of the most keenly-observed election battles in Wales, if not Britain. Labour now face the real prospect of losing one of their safest seats in the House of Commons which has previously been represented by legends of the movement
THE constituency of Newport West was created during the early years of Margaret Thatcher's tenure as prime minister. At the 1983 General Election, with the Labour party tearing itself apart over policy and political direction, the seat's first MP was
CERI Sweeney's future role with Newport Gwent Dragons will be at stake when he meets new coach Paul Turner next month. Sweeney, just back from North America with Wales and returning there on holiday soon, was a huge success on their two-match visit there
THE Dorallt Inn has recently had an extension to both the building and the menu. A new non-smoking seating area has transformed the Dorallt from a pub that serves food to a restaurant with a bar. The food is still of the variety you would expect to find
Peter Varley - Green INTRODUCING myself: I am 47 years old. I went to school at Bettws, and lived in Ringland for many years before taking up a fixed-term research contract in Tokyo. Within the Green Party, I have concentrated on alternative energy and
TRIBUTES are being paid by family and friends of the men who died in the devastating car accident at the weekend. Scott Harding 25, his 27-year-old brother Warren, Andrew Brooks, 30, and 26-year-old Geraint Hill died when the Toyota Corolla they were
LABOUR Party members supporting rebel Blaenau Gwent Assembly Member Peter Law in his General Election campaign - standing against the party - could face expulsion and tear the local party apart. Peter Law now has a list of supporters who are current or
A RISCA mum said her son is lucky to be alive after he pulled out of the ill-fated fishing trip at the last minute. Jean Whitehead's 28-year-old son, Gavin, was good friends with all four men, and was due to join them on Saturday, but was too ill. Mrs
AT last, at last Wales have done it. After 12 long years they have finally sent England packing in Cardiff, for the first time at the magnificent Millennium Stadium they have got the better of the old enemy. The wait was worth while, and not even England
Lee Dillon Liberal Democrats AT this General Election the Welsh Liberal Democrats are giving the people of Wales a real alternative with our policies. Our manifesto builds on the principles of freedom, fairness and trust, principles that will guide us
Prop Gethin Jenkins has warned there can be no repeat of Wales' last performance in Italy. Wales were humbled in that Six Nations clash and Jenkins reckons that if Wales don't give it 100 per cent they will come unstuck on Saturday. He said: "We've got
THE Labour stronghold of Torfaen has been held by Paul Murphy - the Northern Ireland secretary - for nearly 20 years. The area's main centres of Cwmbran, Pontypool, and Blaenavon have traditionally stuck by Labour. Labour has run the county borough council
WALES go into this week's Six Nations Champio-nship as the dark horses, the team the rest fear. That in itself represents a remarkable transformation for a nation that for far too long has been at the bottom of the pile languishing among the also- rans
REBEL Peter Law went on his first walkabout yesterday after announcing he is to stand as an independent in the General Election. The AM, and former Labour party member, is standing in protest against the all-women shortlist which saw Maggie Jones being
BRENT Cockbain has never experienced the occasion of a Wales-England international in Cardiff - but he's got a pretty good idea of what it's going to be like and he's prepared for a battle royal. Cockbain was born and brought up in Australia, but though
Roger Thomas UK Independence IS it unreasonable to believe that the best people to govern Britain are the British people themselves? Thirty years ago we were told that the Common Market was to be a simple trading agreement. There would be no loss of sovereignty
Jonathan Clark Plaid Cymru The voters of Monmouth constituency need an MP who will be the clear voice for Monmouth in London, rather than the voice of London in Monmouth. Arch Blairite Huw Edwards has put his career before the interests of the people
THE deputy prime minister yesterday faced students from Croesyceiliog School who will vote for the first time in May. He was quizzed on a range of subjects by the teenagers. Mr Prescott even joked about his ill-fated visit to North Wales in 2001 when
IAN Gough has been released by the Wales management and he was a late inclusion in the Newport Gwent Dragons squad which flew out to Dubai last night for Friday's 'Duel in the Desert' clash against the Stormers of South Africa. Gough is not in the Wales
Blaenau Gwent BLAENAU Gwent - normally regarded as one of the safest seats in Wales for Labour - is thrown wide open. Assembly Member Peter Law announced that despite recent treatment for a brain tumour, he is to leave Labour and stand as an Independent
URGENT consideration must be given to improving safety along the coast road where four Risca men lost their lives. That is the view from residents and visitors to the area of the Gwent levels where the weekend's tragedy has left in its wake a mixture
Saeid Arjomand - Independent. POWER of unity in diversity: Newport has all the potentials to be the focal city of Wales economically, socially and educationally. Currently all the resources, whether financial or human resources, are mismanaged by all
WELSH Secretary Peter Hain was in Monmouth yesterday to bolster support for Labour candidate Huw Edwards, whose parliamentary seat rests on a knife-edge. Leader of the House of Commons and Neath candidate Mr Hain said Monmouthshire would be a two-horse
Norman John Price, Plaid Cymru Born in 1955, Norman John Price was brought up in Cefn Hengoed and Aberbargoed; and was educated at Bedwellty Grammar School before studying at the Cardiff Institute of Food Technology and working as a chef and hotel manager
It's crossroads time for Sir Clive Woodward and his British Lions tour party in New Zealand. For the thousands of fans already Down Under and many more getting up here early on Saturday morning bleary eyed to go down the pub or pull up their armchairs
Veronica Watkins Liberal Democrat IT is vital that people can put their trust in a government and know that it will listen to them and be honest and open about what it is doing. People deserve a government that tells the truth and keeps its promises.
SET on the roadside on the long and winding route between Chepstow and Usk, the 400-year-old Carpenters Arms is a welcome sight. Inside it's a maze of nooks and crannies, with an assortment of furniture and walls decorated with an unusual mix of pictures
POLICE are still appealing for information after four Gwent men were found dead in a partially-submerged car. The men, all from Risca were named as Scott Harding, 25, his brother Warren, 27, Andrew Brooks, 30, and Geraint Hill, 26. They were found when
THE PARTNER of one of the four men men killed in the tragic accident last night told how she begged him not to go because of a "bad feeling" about the fishing trip. Jodie Sefton, who has two young children with 30-year-old Andrew Brooks, said she had
THE constituency of Islwyn has traditionally been an extremely safe seat for Labour. And it is one that the party will be confident of keeping in tomorrow's election - in contrast with the free-for-all that has emerged in neighbouring Blaenau Gwent. The
FOREIGN Secretary Jack Straw visited the Northern Automotive car components factory on Gilwern Park industrial estate to tell factory workers that voting the Tories into government would damage Wales. Mr Straw was joined by Huw Edwards, Labour's prospective
THROUGHOUT the day a stream of mourners visited a Risca church to pay their respects to the four friends. St Margaret's Church was open all day, and people went to pray for the families, light candles and sign a book of condolence. The Venerable John
WALES forward Gethin Jenkins is gearing up for 'the biggest game of his career' against the man he calls the best tight-head prop in the world. Jenkins comes face to face with Julian White, the Leicester front row powerhouse, in Saturday's Six Nations
IN terms of participants judo is among the world's most popular sports - an activity steeped in a tradition and practised by millions of people worldwide. The sport originated in Japan and can be traced back hundreds of years to the days of the samurai
Peter Osborne, UK Independence Party * Tony Blair - Can't believe him when he's whistling. * Michael Howard - Tried him before it didn't work then. * Charles Kennedy - Votes for prisoners? No women to be jailed? To bring us into line with Denmark and
FLANKER Martyn Williams has given Wales coach Mike Ruddock a massive boost by declaring himself fit for Saturday's Six Nations clash against England. If selected he wants to lead his country out against the English as it would be his 50th cap for Wales
Dr Bill Morgan Conservative DR Bill Morgan has lived in Newport for the past 25 years. For 20 years he was the senior accident consultant in the accident department of the Royal Gwent Hospital, and now works as a specialist throughout South Wales. His
FORMER Labour Assembly Member Peter Law is going head to head with his old party to try and win one of the safest seats in Britain. Mr Law confirmed he will stand as an independent candidate in the General Election in protest at the all-women shortlist
MAGGIE Jones says she is portrayed wrongly by her opponents and worked as a trade union official for 25 years. In her first press conference, Mrs Jones said: "I am steeped in the lifeblood of this party and am instinctively a grassroots campaigner. That's
David Rowlands UK Independence Party MANY people believe that the UK Independence Party is only concerned with Europe. So why stand candidates in this election? Well, the fact is we are the only party which believes that the General Election should be
Phil Hobson Liberal Democrats Phil Hobson, 36, was born and raised in Chepstow, where he is the current mayor. He has worked in the UK and overseas having a successful management career in publishing and telecoms. He is a county councillor and leader
England struck the first blow of the Ashes summer last night when they overwhelmed Australia by 100 runs in the Twenty20 international at Hampshire's Rose Bowl. An incredible sequence which saw Australia lose seven wickets in 20 balls to Darren Gough
Paul Murphy Labour THE election campaign is well under way now, and I have enjoyed talking to people around the constituency on the campaign trail. It has been an honour to serve the constituency where I live and was brought up. No matter what other jobs
THE close-knit former mining community of Risca is in mourning as the news of the weekend's tragic accident sinks in. The tragedy is the only topic of conversation in the town, where the four men were well known and popular members of the community. Lesley
Jessica Morden Labour Newport East is a constituency with a strong Labour tradition and a bright future. If elected I would work hard to stand up for Newport East and be a strong voice both locally and nationally. Newport East has a promising future under
NEWPORT'S Tory candidates were on the election trail yesterday, highlighting one of the city's hottest issues. Matthew Collings, who is standing for the east side, and Bill Morgan, hoping to claim the Newport West seat from Paul Flynn, went to meet meals
Dr Phillip Lee, Conservative I am a medical doctor. My professional values are the same as my political values. My Conservatism is about policies to benefit all people. My candidacy in Blaenau Gwent is about creating a brighter future for all of the electorate
Brian Thomas, Liberal Democrat * Born in Tredegar and lived all his life in this area. He is married with two children. * Career - TV engineer for JC Charles Radio and TV company in South Wales for 35 years. * He became a councillor for Blaenau Gwent
JOHN Prescott blew his top when quizzed by the Argus on Peter Law's decision to contest the General Election against Labour. I asked Mr Prescott about the biggest story in local politics yesterday on his official visit to Gwent. But when asked about the
John Bufton UK Independence Party John Bufton, aged 42, who has lived in Wales for 38 years has been selected by UKIP for the Monmouth Constituency as its candidate. John who is chairman of the Gwent Branch is delighted to have been selected. He previously
Phillip Howells Conservative CONSERVATIVES are campaigning on a Welsh manifesto of more police, cleaner hospitals, lower taxes, school discipline and controlled immigration. Labour is deliberately misleading voters with claims that there will be £35bn
Liz Screen Socialist Labour Having been born and brought up in Newport East, I have strong links with the constituency although I now live in Cardiff. For many years I was a Labour Party activist but resigned in 1996 because I could no longer tolerate
SOME OBJECTS, like comics, can become more valuable because they were considered worthless in their heyday. Some, like coins, are hoarded for their rarity value. And some are prized for the exquisite workmanship that went into their creation. The collectibility
Tredegar Arms, Bassaleg. WHETHER you are looking for a bar snack, a three-course meal or just mulling over a quiet pint of real ale with a book, the Tredegar Arms in Bassaleg is a public house and restaurant to suit all tastes. We visited on a busy Tuesday
A nation is today basking in the glory of Wales' first victory over England in Cardiff for 12 years - and they have found a new hero into the bargain. For Gavin Henson, just four days past his 23rd birthday, stepped up four minutes from the end of a heartstopping
Tony Salkeld - Plaid Cymru THE candidate for Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales in Newport West is Tony Salkeld. Tony is a local man who still lives and works in Newport. He was educated at Cardiff University, obtaining a degree in Ancient and Medieval
WALES star Shane Williams is backing his pal Gavin Henson to light up this year's Six Nations and cope with his new found fame. The Neath-Swansea Ospreys duo are two of Wales' most potent threats with Henson the man everyone is tipping to light up this
James Criddle Plaid Cymru THIS election is about who you trust to represent Islwyn and Wales in London - Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales or New Labour. Wales has the resources to improve the lives of each and everyone of us but to achieve this we need
GRAND Slam-winning Welsh rugby coach Mike Ruddock yesterday gave his backing to Welsh Labour's General Election manifesto. At the launch of the manifesto at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, Blaina-born Mr Ruddock said he had "always backed Labour" and would
THE Wentwood Inn at Caerwent is one of the string of attractive roadside pub/restaurants dotted along the drive from Newport to Caldicot. So why choose this one? The restaurant is bright and airy, attractively decorated with terracotta paintwork and plenty
TRAVELLING to the Waterloo Inn at Nash was quite a journey but after directions from the nearby sailing club we made our way - along with another car behind who had also made the same mistake. For a Friday night the pub wasn't too full but there was a
CHEZ Giovanni is among a handful of top Italian restaurants in Newport with a reputation that has been established over several decades of serving high-quality dishes in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. We visited on a quiet Wednesday night, and started
THERE are two words to describe the food at the Royal Albert pub in Newport - cheap and cheerful. The meals are basic at the Albert Avenue pub in Maindee but are delicious all the same. And they are much better value than some other similar outlets in
WHEN you think of the coal mining heritage of South Wales, Big Pit in Blaenavon immediately springs to mind. While Big Pit may get all the attention, anyone interested in the industrial legacy that made Wales one of the biggest coal producers in the world
THE weekend was all about euphoria, and rightly so. Wales did, after all, achieve their first victory in Cardiff over England for 12 years and their first against them anywhere for six years. That really was a cause for celebration and, boy, did everyone
Peter Law, Independent I am standing as an Independent candidate for Blaenau Gwent in the General Election for the right of choice for the people of Blaenau Gwent because disgracefully, New Labour have imposed a candidate here through an 'all women' shortlist
Ed Townsend Liberal Democrat More and more people in Newport are looking for a realistic alternative to Labour. Here in Newport, the Conservatives are irrelevant. Liberal Democrats have become the real alternative to Labour in a city that has been taken
NEWPORT Gwent Dragons threequarter Hal Luscombe makes his Six Nations Championship debut for Wales on Saturday - and it couldn't be tougher. For Luscombe steps in on the wing against world champions England in the cauldron of the Millennium Stadium when
THE PARTNER of one of the four men men killed in the tragic accident last night told how she begged him not to go because of a "bad feeling" about the fishing trip. Jodie Sefton, who has two young children with 30-year-old Andrew Brooks, said she had
Hugh Moelwyn Hughes - UK Independence Party UKIP is not a one issue party. Our core belief, that we must leave the EU, derives overwhelmingly from perceiving that central direction from the EU requires the end of democracy. Since 1973 our Conservative
HUNDREDS gathered to say goodbye to to a former mayor of Islwyn and a popular Blackwood businessman. Peter Bullen died, aged 80, following a short illness. The war veteran who won the Distinguished Flying Cross, served as a Black-wood councillor through
Nigel Flanagan - Liberal Democrat. THE Liberal Democrats are experiencing their best ever general election campaign. For many people our policies and ideas provide a real choice. From our stand against the war in Iraq, to the replacement of the unfair
David Davies Conservative My top priority if elected would be to continue highlighting the scandal which has seen council taxes rocket by over 100% since 1999 in Monmouthshire. This has been done by the Labour-run Assembly to pay for schemes like their
GET away from it all and step into the tranquil gardens of Penpergwm Lodge. For a relaxing family day out the Penpergwm Lodge Gardens, Abergavenny is a world away from every day life. The lodge is part of the National Garden Scheme and has been developed
Aneurin Preece Plaid Cymru THE candidate for Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales in Torfaen is Aneurin Preece a local man who lives in Cwmbran where he grew up. He attended school in Cwmbran and Ysgol Rhydfelin, Pontypridd. He obtained his degree in law
