Archive
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Barn conversion makes ideal home
This exclusive barn conversion, which is part of a three home complex, has been designed and finished to the highest standard and enjoys a quiet, rural setting four miles west of Pontrilas. Penwordlod Farm Barn comprises entrance hallway, sitting room
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The Grange for family living
The Grange at Raglan is a Victorian country house with up to seven bedrooms and packed with many character features. The house, which is set in mature gardens, would be an ideal home for a family who want to enjoy everything the wonderful countryside
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Rural setting for imposing house
This imposing, three-storey detached county home can be found about seven miles from Chepstow in the beautiful countryside just outside Devauden. Clydach, at Wolvesnewton, stands in about five acres of gardens and grounds. Just over three acres of these
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Step Back in time for Christmas
If you go down to Usk on Saturday December 3, you'll be in for a great surprise - as this historic town steps back in time to recreate a Victorian Christmas. Following last year's successful Victorian Day, Usk Chamber of Trade has appealed to more local
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Grade II listed home is a delight
West House is a stone built grade two listed home at Itton Court, near Chepstow. The property is the west wing of the former country mansion, which has been converted into several self-contained residences. West House is the former butler's house and
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Farm life with stunning views
Gellifyniog Farm comprises a traditional farmhouse with an attached three-bedroom converted stone barn and other outbuildings set in 34 acres at Crosskeys, near Newport. The main farmhouse is stone built and comprises three bedrooms, a lounge, dining
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Take eight makers
An exiting exhibition of work by a group of eight artists and designer makers who are either inspired by Wales, work or live here, can be seen at Monmouth Priory from November 24 to 27, 2005. The standard of work is extremely high both in making techniques
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Making the garden bloom
Annabel Hughes meets garden designer Stella Caws. Garden designer Stella Caws says her job is 'all about creating pictures'. "To me a garden is a series of pictures framed by the windows of the house." Stella trained as a landscape architect at Sheffield
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FurnitureSmart
For all who enjoy a real Christmas glow Furniture Smart has plenty to show So on with your coats, without a care Come down by the river for a breath of fresh air. You'll see all those sumptuous sofas and chairs Invitingly tempting all kinds of affairs
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Six bedrooms of Edwardian style
Number 18 Fosterville Crescent, Abergavenny has lots of things going for it. It is impressive, has six bedrooms, is set in a desirable location on the fringe of the town and has been decorated and presented to a high specification. The house was built
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Take in the great panoramic views
Beverston is a four-bedroom home built in 1890 as the farmhouse to Beverston Farm, near Chepstow. The property is set in an acre of landscaped gardens and has been extended to provide well-proportioned living accommodation. Set in an area of outstanding
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Coppertree branches out
Have you discovered Coppertree yet? It's the newly opened stylish ladies fashion shop in Usk where you will find a fabulous selection of day and evening wear with a beautiful range of Passigatti scarves, Suzy smith handbags and a wish list of silver and
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Just right for country living
Plum Tree Cottage is a lovely detached cottage set among woodland in the Bulls Hill hamlet of Forest Green, Herefordshire. The property benefits from high levels of sunshine and privacy while being within easy reach of all the local schools and amenities
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Weaving a silky tale
Gilbert and Wendy KilBride tell Annabel Hughes about their life making exquisit silk garments. Silk cloth hand woven in a Monmouthshire workshop is made up into unique ecclesiastical garments which are worn and displayed all over the world. Recent commissions
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Going Gourmet
Enthusiastic gourmets flocked to The Woodlands, Llanvair Discoed, off the A48 between Newport and Chepstow, for the inaugural meeting of the Gourmet Club. Founded by three men living in the area, the club is aimed at local people with a passionate interest
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It's all downhill from here
Annabel Hughes meets a man who's a self-confessed adrenaline junkie. Imagine hurtling down a mountain on two wheels, negotiating boulders, bends and ravines - and all the time battling to beat the clock. Welcome to the daredevil world of competitive downhill
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A home packed wwith character
If you fancy a bit of barn living, then 4 tyn-y-Brwyn Farm could be the place for you. The property is a detached, converted barn which has been refurbished to a high standard, sitting in a courtyard setting at Coedkernew near Newport. The entrance hall
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Pentwyn Farm is worth a look
Pentwyn Farm is a grade II listed farmhouse, which partly dates from the 16th century. The property, which is at Little Mill, near Usk, has adjoining holiday cottages, an extensive range of modern and traditional barns and is set in grounds which include
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Q & A - My Monmouthshire Life
"I'd spend one day in the Wye Valley and another tramping the industrial ruins of the Clydach Gorge." Author Catherine Merriman has lived near Abergavenny for 32 years. She is married to Chris and has an adult son and daughter. She's just finishing her
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Take a drive in the country
If you want to turn heads as you drive down Monmouthshire's country lanes, you won't go far wrong in the Nissan Murano. Nissan's Murano is clearly different, yet Murano is clearly a Nissan. Like the 350Z and the Micra, its styling makes a real statement
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Town Centre Scheme Scoops A Top Award
Chepstow is celebrating after its new look town centre was named Gold Standard winner of retail property organisation BCSC 2005 Town Centre Environment Awards. The awards recognise work undertaken in towns and cities across the UK to improve the retail
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A healthy way of life
When Monmouthshire dairy farmer Richard Cleeve decided to diversify he scarcely imagined his pioneering new business would one day be manufacturing more than 100 products, employing 60 people and have an annual turnover of £6m. Even more remarkable, perhaps
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A day out in Hereford
I love having a day out in Hereford, and since the increase in parking charges a year or so ago, I now park near to the leisure centre and walk up to town via the Left Bank where I stop for morning coffee in the delicatessen and treat myself to one of
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County eating
Monmouth's only community pub and live music venue launches its refurbished restaurant, Douduk's. Emphasising freshly prepared and cooked meat, fish and speciality vegetarian choices, the menu draws on international cuisine collected by its widely travelled
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Choose local this year
People in Monmouthshire will spend an estimated £49.5m on food, gifts and partying this Christmas - and adventa is intent on keeping more of the money within the county. Responsible for supporting rural development in Monmouthshire, adventa has launched
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Gem of a home in secret valley
Mounton, to those who don't know, is a most quaint and secluded hamlet just minutes from the convenience of Chepstow town centre and the motorway network. Nestled at the bottom of Mounton Valley, it is approached through a small maze of lanes, yet is
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Learning about the bees and the bees
Annabel Hughes finds out about the ancient art of beekeeping. At the risk of upsetting dogs generally (and mine in particular) the title 'man's best friend' must surely belong to the industrious little honey bee. What has the humble bee done for us? Well
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County what's on
November 23 Jumps Meeting Chepstow Racecourse. Time: 1.05pm Contact: 01291 622260 www.chepstow-racecourse.co.uk November 26 Spinning the Round Table Hijinx Theatre present a story of love and betrayal set int he corridors of power. The Melville Theatre
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Pottering Around
As a young boy growing up in London in the 1950s Walter Keeler had a passion for collecting pieces of old pottery from the Thames. These fragments of history, from Roman to Victorian times, have been a constant source of inspiration for the creative work
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Tweedle and Pip comes to town
There's a great new and fun addition to Monmouth's speciality shops with Tweedle and Pip Toy and Gift Emporium in Monnow Street. Tweedle and Pip is owned by husband and wife team, Tim and Vicky Ferda-Riley who already own two Tweedle and Pip stores in
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A haven for everyone who loves food
It may surprise you to learn that you can't get everything you want from a supermarket - and to enjoy the complete experience of food shopping, you should never try to do it all in some multi-national. So it is great to know that there are some hidden
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A life set in stone
MCL speaks to a woman who's stone-importing company turns peoples dreams into reality. The saying 'home is where the heart is' has never been truer than today. From country mansions and coastal cottages to city apartments and suburban semis, homeowners
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Surprise Visit to MCL Winner
The winner of our recent Quentin Blake competition received a surprise visit recently by David Sansom, owner of the Old Smithy Gallery in Usk, the exclusive retailer of Quentin Blake's work in South Wales. Charlotte Jeffries, of St Arvans, won a framed