Archive
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Eight held by police
EIGHT arrests were made in the Abergavenny as part of a clampdown on anti-social behaviour, disorder and licensing offences. Police officers from Abergavenny neighbourhood policing team, headquarters support group, along with the force and local authority
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Confusion over size of museums budget
ESTIMATED figures suggesting the annual budget received by castles and museums and heritage in Mon-mouthshire is £1.1m are "grossly exaggerated," says Chepstow's deputy mayor. Town councillor Ned Heywood has spoken out about the £1.1m annual budget which
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Cash set aside for bus station toilets
The demand for public toilets at Chepstow bus station seems to be coming to fruition, after the town council made space for it in their annual budget. The amount paid by Chepstow council tax payers to the town council will increase by more than a third
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Funding formula threat to small schools' future
SMALL schools in Monmouthshire could be heading for closure under the new funding formula. County Councillor Verona Nelmes issued the stark warning moments before the county lifelong learning select committee agreed to adopt the new formula. "Small schools
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Closure of paper mill cuts 135 jobs
A PAPER mill in Sudbrook will shut at the end of May causing the loss of 135 jobs. DS Smith plc, the owner of Sudbrook Mill, has blamed soaring energy costs and a drop in demand for the proposed closure. The firm said the mill was losing £3m annually
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'Small schools will be at risk'
SMALL schools in Monmouthshire could be heading for closure under the new funding formula. Abergavenny councillor Verona Nelmes issued the stark warning moments before the county lifelong learning select committee agreed to adopt the new formula. "For
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Tough challenge ahead for Goytre
AFTER a weekend off while scheduled opponents West End tried their luck in the League of Wales Trophy semi-finals, Goytre travel to high-flying Pentwyn Dynamos this Saturday looking for a resurgence in form (kick-off 2pm). Pentwyn are second in the Third
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Race fixtures both fall victim to the weather
The recent weather hit both Race's weekend fixtures, the rain and frost putting pay to the seconds' home clash with Mardy and the first team's away encounter with Rogerstone. This week, the First team take a rest, with their turn to sit out a weekend,
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Draw us your dream house!
HOUSE about that? We're looking for talented Chepstow artists to get their pens, pencils, crayons and paintbrushes out to draw us their dream house! Your Free Press has teamed up with our local schools and estate agents Bairstow Eves to offer you the
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Modern centre gets the go-ahead
PLANNERS have given the go ahead for a new state-of-the-art community centre to be built in Raglan. Councillors at yesterday's Monmouthshire County Council's planning committee meeting approved the designs for the community centre that will be constructed
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Aber's bogey team complete a double
Blaina 38 Abergavenny 18 RUNAWAY Division Three East leaders Abergavenny RFC lost their second game of the season to Blaina on Saturday, ending their long unbeaten run in "schoolboy" fashion, according to coach Gary Lawrence. Mid-table Blaina overturned
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Rock in Dell takes year out
Rock in the Dell in Chepstow will not be going ahead this year because of financial difficulties and problems with new licensing laws. The much-loved event in Chepstow which the Free Press has often supported is suffering from spiralling costs of security
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Leaders held to 4-4 draw
Four scheduled league games were cancelled due to unfit grounds, all were on council-owned grounds. The rest of the matches went ahead. Current Division One leaders Tranch Utd were held to a 4-4 draw away to Govilon at Bailey Park, Abergavenny. The match
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Monmouth edge ever closer to dreaded drop
MONMOUTH put up a good showing at top of the league Garndiffaith on Saturday, defying their own position as relegation contenders. The form book was thrown out last week as Garn lost their unbeaten start to 2006 while Monmouth won for the first time in
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Best showing yet from lads
THORNWELL U13s football club are on the up after the team put in their best performance yet against Garden City. The three-all draw was a ray of light for the side whose season so far has been plagued by big defeats. Since the Christmas break the team
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Objections to house plan
HAPPINESS is most certainly NOT evident in this hamlet. Nearly all of the residents in the tiny settlement of Brynygwenin on the outskirts of Abergavenny are objecting to a new housing scheme. The Eastern Valley Housing Association wants to build seven
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'Cut and slash' budget claim
THE post of assistant chief executive with Monmouthshire County Council is one of the 70 jobs to go when the axe falls in this year's budget. The cabinet expects to make 70 posts redundant, but this equates to 48 real jobs which are currently filled.
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Elderly to be rehoused as homes knocked down
SOME of Monmouth's most frail and elderly residents are to be re-housed for a year when the Almshouses on Whitecross Street are demolished and rebuilt to 21st century standards. The current buildings, built in 1961, boast some 20 flats housing 19 vulnerable
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Mail trail upset
ISOLATED villagers who have been relying on a courier service for their mail deliveries have now been told they won't be getting their postman back. Three residents living above Bettws Village have been without a postman for more than a year. Colin and
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Vassallo may not stay long
FORMER manager Barrie Vassallo has returned to help Chepstow Town climb out of a Welsh League Division Three dogfight - but has hinted that he may not stay at the club beyond the end of the season to build long term success. Vassallo, who is now in his
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'Atomic Robokid' is elected to council
A 28-year-old freelance sound engineer has become Chepstow's newest town councillor after winning a by-election on Thursday. Tom Kirton, (pictured right) who grew up in St Anns Street in Chepstow, has been elected to the town council as a Labour councillor
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Mardy drawn away
MARDY have been drawn against Second Division Lliswerry in the semi-finals of the John Payne Barber Amateur Cup. Ben Bannon's side, league leaders in Division One, were due to play fellow big-guns Blaenavon on Saturday but the game was cancelled due to
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Stamp of a gentleman
POSTMAN Doug Williams got a surprise delivery of his own to mark his retirement. He drove into the village of Llanddewi Rhydderch last Friday - the day before his retirement - and was greeted by more than 20 residents. They presented him with a special
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Bad result for Barrie's return
Welsh League D3: Treowen 3, Chepstow Town 2 IN HIS first game back in charge at Chepstow Town at the weekend, Barrie Vassallo was unable to build on the two successive wins under caretaker manager Wayne Samuels, with his side crashing to a 3-2 defeat
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Portskwett punished, as Tintern go top again
Division One Chepstow Town outgunned a tricky Rockfield Rovers A side 4-2 in Chepstow. Rob Kennedy blasted a well-aken brace for the home side, assisted with goals from fellow colleagues Neil Burley and Dwane McEwan. Tintern Abbey climbed back to the
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Parents vow bus protest will go on
PUPILS and parents from Chepstow took part in the second protest march in a week over a decision to stop running a free school bus service. Around 200 people gathered at Chepstow Comp-rehensive school on Friday and began marching to Bulwark, along the
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Scathing report slates 'ineffective' junior school
WYESHAM Junior School has been slammed by Estyn school inspectors following their recent visit to check on the quality of education standards achieved by pupils. The inspector, Tim Boyce concluded in his report that the school had serious weaknesses in
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'Cut and slash' budget claim
THE post of assistant chief executive with Monmouthshire County Council is one of the 70 jobs to go when the axe falls in this year's budget. The cabinet expects to make 70 posts redundant, but this equates to 48 real jobs which are currently filled.
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Bouncing back after half-term
THE USK Valley Trampolining Club are still looking for more grown-ups to join their recently-established adult group sessions. The club have always offered coaching and facilities for youngsters but, after receiving many inquires about an adult provision
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Hughes injury blow hampers Chepstow's efforts
D4 East: Chepstow 3 Tredegar Ironsides 15 AFTER a long lay-off through injury, Mark Body returned to the first XV on Saturday, but Chepstow suffered another blow when ball-carrier number eight Ian Hughes was stretchered off and could now be out for several
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Glyn's national dream comes true
CWMBRAN-BORN goalkeeper Glyn Garner had the best day of his professional life after getting a phone call from one of his boyhood idols. Garner, 29, a goalkeeper with League Two outfit Leyton Orient, is a shock inclusion in the Wales squad to face Paraguay
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Cwmbran keep the victories coming
Cwmbran 13 Old Illtydians 11 This was Cwmbran's third consecutive win but was far from the polished performance the team had shown against Fairwater and Senghenydd in previous weeks. Nevertheless it was a win and the difference between the sides on Saturday
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Tranch held at bay in eight-goal thriller
Results - Saturday, February 18 Division One Panteg 1 v Goytre 5 Llanarth 2 v Clydach Wasps 1 Pontypool Town P v Lower New Inn P Cwmffrwdoer 0 v Usk Town 6 Race Utd P v Mardy P Govilon 4 v Tranch Utd 4 Gilwern & District 1 v Blaenavon Blues 1 Division
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School pitches in for little Jade
AN ABERSYCHAN pupil was spurred into action when she heard of a three-year-old girl's battle with cancer - and she's got her classmates and teachers to pitch in. Chloe Millett, 12, from Abersychan Comprehensive vowed to do something positive for young
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Normal service resumes for winning Garn
Garndiffaith 22 Monmouth 10 MONMOUTH put up a good showing at top of the league Garndiffaith on Saturday, defying their own position as relegation contenders. The form book was thrown out last week as Garn lost their unbeaten start to 2006 while Monmouth
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End off-roading reign of 'terror'
ZERO-tolerance is called for in dealing with illegal off-roaders as a Torfaen politician makes a bid to put the brakes on anti-social bikers. Lynne Neagle AM questioned the Minister for the Environment Carwyn Jones on putting an end to the "damage and
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Big bother at Tesco !
A PONTYPOOL man has blasted the 'Big Brother' attitude of a supermarket giant. Adrian Whitcombe, of Campbell Street, Wainfelin, was shocked and annoyed to receive a letter from Tesco, warning that he will be fined £70 if his car is left in their car park
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Man rescued from river
EMERGENCY services responded in force when a man was pulled from a river in a daylight rescue. Three Gwent police officers spent about 30 minutes in the freezing water before they could pull the 52-year-old man to safety. Four fire appliances, a rescue
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Roller hockey sponsor needed
A YOUNG Abergavenny skater's hopes of travelling to the USA for this summer's world championships are in jeopardy unless his family are able to raise much-needed sponsorship for the epic trip. Matt Downward, 12, has already endured three rounds of gruelling
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Voters go for Bob
A NEW councillor for Mon-mouthshire County Council's Dixton with Osbaston Ward has been elected following last week's by-election. The Conservative candidate, Bob Hayward won the seat, which he already holds as a Monmouth Town Councillor, in the by-election
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Talent showcase for good cause
MONMOUTH'S annual Showcase Spectacular Concert of local talent is just a week away. For one night only, on St David's Day, Wednesday March 1, the spotlight falls on some of the best talent in a concert which is in aid of the mayor's nominated charities
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'Dummy cash' row continues
QUESTIONS are still being asked about the "dummy money" the county council claims was included in a recent auditors' report. Phil Hobson, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Monmouthshire County Council, has questioned the council's decision to write-off
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Dirt and flies see pub fined
THE White Hart, at Llangybi, Near Usk, has been prosecuted for two offences under the Food Safety Act 1990 and the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995. The case, brought by Monmouthshire County Council, was heard at Abergavenny Magistrates
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'Hack' budget claim
THE post of assistant chief executive with Monmouthshire County Council is one of the 70 jobs to go when the axe falls in this year's budget. The cabinet expects to make 70 posts redundant, but this equates to 48 real jobs which are currently filled.
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Change in Mayor nomination
THE procedure to nominate the next Mayor of Monmouth Town Council is to change. Instead of councillors making the decision on who is to become mayor of the council at the same time at the Annual General Meeting, the decision will be taken a week earlier
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Aber's bogey team complete a double
Blaina 38 Abergavenny 18 RUNAWAY Division Three East leaders Abergavenny RFC lost their second game of the season to Blaina on Saturday, ending their long unbeaten run in "schoolboy" fashion, according to coach Gary Lawrence. Mid-table Blaina overturned
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Concern for state of town
At the February meeting of Usk Town Council, members looked at several areas of the town which are giving rise to concern. Cllr Jill Jeremiah queried the poor state of the fencing around the Owain Glendwyr field in Maryport Street saying, "as a town committed
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Kick in the teeth
ALMOST 20,000 people in Chepstow will be left without NHS dental treatment when the town's remaining practices go private on April 1. There are currently 10,000 NHS patients registered at Fairlight and 9,500 at Boscobel House, which are both situated
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Caldicot gain valuable away point
Welsh League D2: Garden Village 0 Caldicot Town 0 TOWN secured their reputation as a side capable of taking points off the top sides in Division Two on Saturday, returning from fifth-placed Garden Village with a well-fought draw, writes Keith Fairbank
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Cattle market to be paid for by £3m loan
MONMOUTHSHIRE County Council has announced it will have to take out a short-term loan to fund the £3.45 million replacement cattle market planned for either Raglan or Llanfoist, writes Lesley Flynn. The news was revealed at a special cabinet meeting last
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Meals cost rises
AMONG the proposals in this year's budget, Monmouthshire County Council cabinet wants to increase the cost of community meals from £2.10 to £3 to raise another £53,000. The lifelong learning and leisure department is expected to make savings of £3million
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Club welcomes rugby legends
INTERNATIONAL rugby stars Phil Bennett, Robert Howley and Neil Jenkins were welcomed to Monmouth Rugby Club on Friday as the club's special fundraising dinner guests. The Welsh trio met up with players and dignitaries at the clubhouse for the pre-meal
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St John's enter National Finals
THE U9s squad of St John's on the Hill school are looking forward to the National Finals to be held at Epsom College next month after making their debut in the South West Regional competition and defeating Dumpton in the final. The boys were among 170
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Silver Birch in 'homecoming'
THE 2004 Coral Welsh National winner Silver Birch is set to return to the scene of his greatest triumph on Saturday. The hero of Chepstow 14 months ago is being prepared for a tilt at this year's Grand National. But, after a disappointing re-appearance
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Cllr Fox has a new excuse
Cllr Peter Fox, cabinet member for lifelong learning has given a new excuse for not being able to walk the proposed safe route to Chepstow Comprehensive School. After an angry mother gave him the challenge for a second time, he said that he knew the area
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Club's future plans
YOUNGSTERS in the Abergavenny area are being encouraged to join the Abergavenny Thursdays Junior football club, which is looking to expand ahead of next season. The club hopes to set up an under-tens side for the 2006-07 campaign, with players taking
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George is first placed
MONMOUTHschoolboy George Orchart, was the top-placed South Wales fencer in last weekend's British Youth Championships epee finals, held in Stoke. The Gwent Sword Club member finished seventh in the boys' under-14 competition, earning him elf a bye through
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Poppadumb!
ALOO, aloo, aloo, what's going on here then? A Free Press investigation into a dramatic raid at the Misbah Tandoori restaurant on Priory Street can confirm that three Asian men have been detained by police on charges of working there illegally. Police
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Loan needed for new market
MONMOUTHSHIRE County Council will have to take out a short-term loan to fund the replacement £3,450,000 cattle market. The news was revealed at a special cabinet meeting last week in a report on the council's commitment over the next three years to capital
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Soldiers fail drug test
EIGHT soldiers in the 1st Battalion Green Howards regiment, at Chepstow, tested positive in routine Army drug tests. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the tests at Beachley Barracks, but would not say what the drugs were. The soldiers are under review
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Tell hump to lump it!
A CAMPAIGN calling for an end to speed humps in Abergavenny is gathering momentum after hundreds of people have added their names to a petition. Motorist Malcolm Ewers, is spear-heading the fight to get humps in Llwynu Lane ripped up and replaced with
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Water culvert collapses again under heavy rain
HEAVY rain has caused a further collapse to the water culvert currently being repaired in Pontypool. The southbound section of the A4043, from the Albion Road roundabout has been closed for the past two weeks for emergency repair after the culvert, which
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Star's tribute to inspirational Jeff
WALES' best sporting hope may never have reached the heady heights of athletics if it weren't for this Cwmbran man. Sprint ace and former World Junior Champion Christian Malcolm, began his sporting career as a budding footballer and Jeff Bradbury from
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Emotional tale of life in the circus
A TROOP of Torfaen actors are due to face their toughest challenge, impressing the Broadway writer and producer who penned their latest production. The Cwmbran Musical Theatre Company We Are What We Are (WAWWA), is preparing to stage the Welsh Premier
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Healthy Panteg set sights on points
MANAGER Paul Thomas reports a clean bill of health ahead of this weekend's Gwent County First Division game with Aberbargoed as Panteg look to continue a recent run of good form. Thomas' side have picked up four points from home games against Blaenavon
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Second team to keep heads up
The recent weather put pay to both the clubs weekend fixtures, with the rain and frost putting pay to the Seconds home clash with Mardy and the First team away encounter with Rogerstone, falling victim to the same conditions. This week the First team
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End of the line for rail museum
TORFAEN is set to lose a much-loved tourist attraction, as Griffithstown Railway Museum is forced to close. The museum has been a labour of love for owner Martin Fay for the past 12 years, but after pouring an estimated five-figure sum into the project
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Big hitter
PANTEG Cricket Club have secured a major coup in signing batsman Ian Thomas. Thomas, who scored a world-record 116 runs off 57 balls for Glamorgan against Somerset in a Twenty20 Cup match in 2004, has joined Panteg as a player/coach. His famous knock
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'Pimp my ride'
A BENEFIT cheat who fraudulently claimed more than £12,000 of taxpayers' cash lavished money on souping up his car, a court heard. But Llewellyn Anthony Luce, aged 28, of Bythway Road, Pontypool, was trapped after police were tipped off that his Citroen
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School boost
TWO Torfaen schools are due to benefit from an investment in local transport links totalling more than £1 million. Victoria Primary School, in Abersychan and Our Lady of the Angels Primary will share over £160,000 to plough into their Safe Routes to School
