Monmouthshire clubs, Newport church dedicated, Blackwood lieutenant's will and new president in Abergavenny were in the headlines 100 years ago

Monmouthshire Clubs

Letter to the Home Secretary

At a meeting of the Association of Conservative Clubs of the Ebbw Vale Division at Cwm, it was decided to send a letter to the Home Office refuting certain statements made by a deputation to the Home Office recently of magistrates. The letter denies that 'no representative body has applied for the repeal of the Order compelling clubs to close on Sundays and affirming that the Association of Conservative Clubs and the Club and Institute Union have requested the withdrawal of the Order, and, moreover have made direct representations to Mr H A L Fisher to the same effect. Monmouthshire being an English county, the local clubs claim the right enjoyed by other English clubs to open their premises on Sunday. Regarding the Bedwellty justices request that the police should have the right of entry into clubs, the letter states that clubs are private and not public houses, and, further, that if there is any known or suspected transgression of the law in a club, the police have already full powers of entry on obtaining a warrant. With regard to the complaint that there were 32 convictions for drunkenness in the year 1919, it is pointed out that the population of the area referred to is 168,629, so that the percentage is not alarmingly high. In conclusion the letter asks for equal consideration of the views of the clubs to that given to the Bedwellty magistrates.

Church Dedicated

Bishop Crossley at Newport

Bishop Crossley on Sunday evening, dedicated the new Mission Church at Barrack Hill, a structure built about 25 years ago, and originally occupied by Nonconformists. For the past twelve years, however, it has been rented by the Vicar of St Marks, and was recently purchased by the Rev Isaiah Roberts (vicar), a course greatly facilitated by the two thank offerings of £250 each, presented since the Armistice by Ald. Fred Phillips, JP, and Mr Edward Coalman. There was a large congregation, and the very warm-hearted service was evidence of the great necessity for the Mission, which is the only spiritual agency in that district. Now that a resident clergyman, in the person of Rev C Branch Evans, has been settled at Barrack Hill, there is every reason to believe that while the Mission fulfils its work, it is bound to be successful.

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Abergavenny

Mr Gower Andrews has been elected president of the Ryeland Flock Book Society, in succession to Mr E C Maurice, of Bwlch, Brecon, and has offered a challenge cup for competition.

Blackwood

Second Lieutenant Robert John Morris (1st Reserve Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment), of 251, Neath Road, Briton Ferry, who died at Hillcrest, Blackwood, on January 8 last, left estate of the gross value of £1,481, with net personally £406. Probate of his will has been granted to his father, Mr Thomas Morris, schoolmaster, the sole executor. The testator left £25 to each of his sisters, Amy Louisa Morris and Iris Elizabeth Morris; £10 to his aunt Charity Ellen; £5 to his father; and all the other property to his mother Mrs Mary Anna Morris.