Archive
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Take a tip - by design
The new series of Grand Designs is back depicting fascinating homes and the equally interesting people who have built them. Prime Time has teamed up with Home Building and Renovating Magazine to offer advice to those inspired to follow their lead. 1 -
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Toiling with intent - 07.07.04
WITH just weeks to go until the start of this summer's Eisteddfod in Newport work on the festival site in the grounds of Tredegar House is drawing to a close. Work started on the site in mid-June, when former Newport mayor Councillor Ray Truman cut the
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All systems go for biggest party in Wales - 21.05.04
IT'S WALES' biggest party - and this year it's in Wales' newest city. The Eisteddfod, which every year alternates between North and South Wales, last came to Newport in 1988. This summer's festival will be in the same location at Tredegar House, but the
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Maggot's glory days
IN 1983 a team of crack draw enthusiasts created a masterplan for a way of living so revolutionary that its very concept was a threat to the fabric of society - GLC, The Manifesto. One of those architects was Maggot, a curious scam-loving man from the
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Loaf at your leisure
TWO PINTS of lager, a packet of crisps... and a white sliced loaf? Two Monmouthshire pubs are helping keep their communities alive by selling groceries over the bar. Tom and Debbie Zsigo, licensees of the Lion Inn at Trellech and the Moon and Sixpence
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Confident Gregan could be our man
FRANK Gregan has refused to rule himself out of the running for the Newport County manager's job. The Weston-super-Mare boss is the one many fans pick to succeed Peter Nicholas after working wonders at non-league level with Weston and Forest Green Rovers
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Come on Sir Terry, give us your support
CAMPAIGNERS battling to save an important part of Newbridge's heritage are calling upon the town's wealthiest son for backing. Howard Stone, chairman of Friends of the Newbridge Memo, has urged Wales' richest man, multi-millionaire Sir Terry Matthews,
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Ray's out to really get us
It's 40 years, one month and four days since The Kinks released You Really Got Me and Ray Davies is back in Wales. Ray is in Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Thursday, September 23, for another of his one man shows. It's his second show in Wales in 2004 - a
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Crowning glory for winning poet
A POEM about mining clinched the prestigious Eisteddfod crown for an Aberystwyth man. Dr Jason Walford-Davies, 32, was honoured by an elaborate and symbolic ceremony on the Tredegar House site. The Gorsedd - a council of robed experts on Welsh culture
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Sparkle dogs have their day
DOGS and their owners from across Gwent put their best paws forward to raise money at a charity event. Scores of people flocked to Penallt, near Monmouth, on Sunday to take part in the Companion Dog Show in aid of the Sparkle Appeal to raise £250,000
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Glenys goes potty for Eisteddfod - 26.04.04
A WOMAN is doing her bit to help the Newport Eisteddfod out of a sticky financial situation - by making jam! Sprightly Glenys Dean, 73, has already stirred up more than 700 pots of jam, marmalade and lemon curd, and is planning to make at least another
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Rugby player takes steps to help appeal
A NEWPORT rugby star has joined two Olympians in supporting the Sparkle sponsored walk. Matthew Veater has pledged his support to the walk, the first major Sparkle fundraising event of the year. Last month we reported that athletes Colin Jackson and Jamie
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Hot spot is for all
If you dismiss Tenerife as a holiday destination because of its reputation as party capital for youngsters - think again, says Martin Dutt. TENERIFE, 70 miles off the coast of North Africa and a four-hour flight from London, is the hot spot of Europe
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SIghts, sounds and fun
IT COULD not have been a better start on the first full day of the National Eisteddfod of Wales in the beautiful setting of Tredegar House and Park, Newport. As the sun beat down, thousands of visitors and participants from near and far soaked up the
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Stars in the frame for Memo show
THE Newbridge Memo played host to a whole range of big name musicians when it was a thriving dance hall. Tom Jones played there before he achieved worldwide recognition,and Joe Loss was another famous band leader who once graced the stage. Now a group
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City's new mayor backs our cause
THE Argus' Sparkle campaign has received a major boost after being chosen by Newport's mayor as one of his official charities. This year, the city's new mayor, Councillor Paul Cockeram, is to support a number of local causes including the Argus' bid to
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From dream to contender
WHAT began as the pipe-dream of just a few a little more than 12 months ago is fast becoming reality. Last year, the Newbridge Memorial Hall was in a shocking state and was facing by a real prospect of demolition if its deterioration worsened. Alarmed
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Abseil challenge for appeal
DARE DEVILS can take part in a special challenge and raise money for our Sparkle Appeal next month by abseiling 100 foot down the side of the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport. As long as people are healthy and over the age of 12 they can take part in the
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Spreading the message
AN exhibition of cinema projection equipment - some of it from the Newbridge Memo - is being held in Risca at present. The exhibition is at the Risca Industrial History Museum, which is in the Oxford House Adult Education Centre in St Mary's Road. The
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Waxing lyrical for £3,000
HUNDREDS of people attended Undy Fun Day to help support the Argus Sparkle Appeal. The day was packed with face painting, entertainment, games and traditional fair amusements. More than 500 people packed Undy football fields and raised more than £3,000
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Avoiding the traffic chaos
GWENT Police are urging visitors to the National Eisteddfod to use public transport ahead of tonight's opening ceremony as up to 150,000 people descend on Tredegar House for the week-long festival. And they are warning motorists to expect some traffic
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Birthday balloon is on the big side
NOT one for scrupulously remembering the birthday of every close relative, I excelled myself this year by not only marking my wife's 60th but also organising a hot-air balloon flight for her. I've written so many news stories on the 'granny does parachute
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Sparkle fund puts spring in steps
AN army of sponsored walkers raised £3,000 for our Sparkle Appeal at the weekend. A six-mile walk on Sunday was in aid of the appeal set up to raise £250,000 towards the £6m centre for disabled children to be built at High Cross, Newport. Starting from
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Memo lost by just a whisker
NEWBRIDGE Memo lost out in the final of the Restoration show by a whisker, it was finally revealed today. After five days, and following pressure from the Argus and others, the BBC finally said the Memo had picked up 111,015 votes against the winner's
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Time to end the secrecy
THE BBC today refused to reveal whether a rule allowing them to discount viewer votes was used in the Restoration final where Newbridge Memo came second. It comes as the total number of votes the Memo received during Sunday's grand final remains a complete
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'Do not worry about festival's Welshness'
DAYS before the opening of the Newport and District Eisteddfod, its chairman has admitted that organisers "could have done more" to attract non-Welsh speakers to the festival. Now Dr John Hughes is urging the people of Gwent to support the festival and
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It's a big speech for little Chloe
A PRIMARY school pupil spoke in front of an entire school assembly to urge everyone to support a campaign to save the Newbridge Memo. Nine-year-old Chloe Hughes gave an impassioned speech at Pantside Primary in Newbridge after being inspired by an open
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Spotlight on raising cash
PLANS are already being put in place to raise the cash needed to help achieve Lottery funding for the Newbridge Memo. Several fundraising events are already in the pipeline for the bid to raise £100,000 over the next year. A public meeting earlier this
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It's tweed, tweed and more tweed
With the fashion industry notoriously obsessed by youth, it is great to see the autumn and winter ranges this year being dominated by grown up style. Lisa Stevens takes a look. THE new season's staples of tweed, which is appearing in all forms from classic
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How history is restored
A PIECE of history from Newbridge's Memo is back home - after being missing for more than 30 years. A Bakelite clock dating from the 1930s was recently handed back to the Newbridge Memorial Hall where it once hung on the wall until its closure in the
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Wat is a good bet
Newport skipper Craig Watson, pictured, is worth a little flutter to lift the Premier League riders' crown at Sheffield on Sunday night. He is quoted by the bookies at 10-1 - and at those odds it's worth a bet. Australian Watson has a distinct liking
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Film-makers focus on battle for Memo
WIN or lose, the campaign to secure funding to restore a landmark art-deco cinema/theatre in Gwent will be captured for posterity in a documentary. Documentary film and television student Alan Terrell from the University of Wales, Newport, and Cwmcarn
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How to get to the Eisteddfod
By road: The Maes is situated at Tredegar House, a mile from the city centre. Traffic from all directions will be directed to the M4 exiting at junction 28. Follow the signposts to the car park. Car parking at the Eisteddfod is free of charge. By bike
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Hooray! The experts just adore it
ENCHANTING, amazing and grand - those were just three of the words experts used last night to describe the jewel of the Valleys, Newbridge's Memo. Restoration programme viewers were given a tour of the Newbridge Memo in last night's show on BBC2 - and
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It's nice to meet a 'nightmare' chef
HE'S mean, moody and a terror in the kitchen - but when the Argus met top chef Gordon Ramsay on the streets of Abergavenny, he was as sweet as pie. The Hell's Kitchen star, who was yesterday filming a follow-up to his successful Channel Four show Ramsay's
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Pride in our culture!
NEWPORT residents say they were thrilled and inspired by last week's National Eisteddfod at Tredegar Park. Student Kelly Amos, 18, of Prince Street, Maindee, said: "It's better than I thought it was going to be. It's an event that's friendly towards English-speakers
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Make a date with romance
How do you find a partner if you are over fifty and unattached? NIGEL JARRETT explores some of the avenues and passes on advice from those in the know. IMAGINE you've been cut adrift at 55 for one reason or another with a blank social diary and the feeling
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Little stars sparkle
DISABLED children and their friends and family became models for the day as they gave Gwent followers of fashion a rare treat for our Sparkle Appeal. Children who are set to benefit from the new children's centre to be built at High Cross have spent weeks
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Firefighters tackle marathon ride
TEN firefighters from Maindee are now hundreds of miles into their 850 mile cycle ride to help our Sparkle Appeal. The firefighters set off from Maindee Fire Station on Sunday to travel to Santander before starting their mammoth cycle ride. They are set
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Now let's go for it
SUPPORTERS of the Newbridge Memorial Hall's bid to win a makeover say they are confident with hard work they can now go all the way. On Sunday night the Grade II listed building polled 44 per cent of the votes to beat off tough competition and win the
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Memo man battles on
IT was never Howard Stone's aim to become a hero of his community - it just happened. The unassuming 64-year-old (pictured) was thrust into the full glare of the public spotlight when he took on the task of attempting to restore one of his town's best-loved
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Show packs in the fun
A FUN-packed day for all the family is promised at the Usk Show this weekend. Up to 18,000 visitors are expected to attend the one-day agricultural show which is being held at Gwernesney this year and is billed as an ideal day out for all the family.
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Whole world made welcome
INTERNATIONAL guests and ex-pats were welcomed onto the stage at the National Eisteddfod as part of the Wales and the World ceremony. Welsh learners and those with an interest in Welsh culture arrived in Newport from all over the world, including Patagonia
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School dance day revives memories
THE Eisteddfod box office claimed its biggest success this week. A busy day of competitions and superb weather yesterday encouraged 22,438 people through the gates at Tredegar House. That is far higher than Monday's figure of 18,080 and adds to the strong
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Haunted Firth adds depth to mindgame
Film review: Trauma (15) A mindgame set in East London with a Britcom stalwart and an American beauty - this could have been traumatic for all the wrong reasons. But Colin Firth brings depths to the part that his work in Love Actually and Bridget Jones
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Not for the sweet-toothed
Popadoms, High Street, Newport WHILE it is most popular in the early hours with the post-pub crowd, Popadoms proved a pleasant place for an early evening curry. The food is inexpensive and there was a two-for-one offer on main courses when I visited with
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Young guns will come good
PONTYPOOL coach Steve Jones remains adamant his young side will compete in the Welsh Premier Division this season given a little time and patience. Two successive narrow defeats in heated Gwent derbies against champions Newport and Cross Keys have set
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Gearing up for big ride
MAINDEE firefighters set off on a training cycle ride to Swansea before taking part in a gruelling 850-mile cycle in September. The Newport firemen will cycle across Spain from Santander to Gibraltar in September to help raise money for our Sparkle Appeal
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Fanfare greets an ancient rite
FIGURES in green, white and blue gathered around the stone circle to mark the opening meeting of the Gorsedd at the Eisteddfod. After a fanfare and a prayer, Arch Druid Doctor Robyn Lewis gave an opening speech before welcoming a handful of new members
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Band blows up a storm
A BAND is hoping to make the Newbridge Memo its permanent home. The Celynen Collieries Institute Silver Band raised the roof at the Memo with a special performance last night. The youth section of the band was joined by some of the older members to play
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Your votes could return hall to its former glory
YOUR Argus is the official newspaper of the Newbridge Memo's bid to win the BBC's Restoration programme and the £3m prize that goes with it. KEVIN WARD and GARETH LLewellyn take a look at its history and how Gwent people can vote for a return to the glory
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Payouts to miners still too slow
MINISTERS have ordered moves to speed up payments to sick ex-miners after a last minute flood of compensation claims has raised the prospect that some settlements may not be made until 2013. Islwyn MP Don Touhig, Wales Minister, told Welsh MPs that discussions
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£50m boosts areas
RUNDOWN areas of Blaenau Gwent's Ebbw Fach Valley have attracted £50 million of public and private sector cash for regeneration projects since 1996, a report reveals. The cash has created scores of new jobs and paved the way for improvements in landscape
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Grant will fund ship exhibition
THE latest findings and research from Newport's medieval ship are to be showcased at the National Eisteddfod. Voluntary organisation Friends of Newport Ship has received a £5,000 grant to fund an exhibition at the Eisteddfod from the lottery-funded Awards
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'Vote to rescue our hall'
LARGE banners have been hung over the Newbridge Memorial Hall to draw attention to the campaign to save the building. 'Vote for the Newbridge Memo' is emblazoned on the banners hanging over the hall, which has been called a "remarkable jewel". The friends
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Film legend gives his support
LEGENDARY actor and director Lord Attenborough, left, is lending his support to the Newbridge Memorial Hall's bid for a £3 million makeover in the grand final of the BBC Restoration programme. Last week the building won the Welsh heat of the popular BBC
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How you can help
THE Welsh regional final is expected to be broadcast on BBC2 on July 20. The Memo is up against Cardigan Castle and Llanfyllin Union Workhouse in North Wales. You can vote for the Memo by calling 09011 332222. Lines will be open all day on July 20 until
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Restoration votes mystery
THE vote tally for the BBC Restoration programme final remained a mystery today - amid claims that supporters of the Newbridge Memorial Hall were unable to register their votes. Thirty-six hours after the winner was announced - and after numerous requests
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Spreading the word
POLITICIANS from across Gwent are supporting the campaign to restore the Newbridge Memo. Newbridge councillors Lyn Ackerman, Kath Baker and Mike Davies say that they have been helping to spread the word and are urging as many people as possible to vote
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French penpal is backing the Memo
A FRENCH woman with fond memories of Newbridge Memo has sent a donation to help with its restoration bid. Anne-Marie Sendic spent several summer holidays in Newbridge as a teenager, with her penpal Shirley Barrett - and the pair spent many happy hours
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Wales stunned by nine men Irishmen - 09.09.04
WALES now have a mountain of Snowdonian proportions to climb if they are to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany after an astonishing 2-2 draw with Northern Ireland at the Millennium Stadium last night. After a bad-tempered British battle royal,
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It's September for October Country
The October Country, who supported The Stranglers the last time they played Newport, headline in their own right next week. They played with The Stranglers at Newport Centre. This time they perform at The Riverside Tavern on Wednesday, September 22. The
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Boost as Memo Hall to feature in BBC programme
THE campaign to revive Newbridge Memo Hall has received its biggest boost yet with the news that it will feature on the BBC's Restoration programme. It means that the historic venue will be in contention for a £3 million grant to restore it to its former
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Making a move
PRIME TIME has teamed up with specialist solicitors John Howell and Co to launch a series of articles to help any of you thinking of buying property abroad. This month we look at taking those first daunting steps STARTING OUT ONCE you have found your
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Memorial
CAMPAIGNERS bidding to revive Newbridge Memorial Hall will be receiving a helping hand next month - from a clairvoyant. The Friends of Newbridge committee was set up earlier this year to breathe new life into the venue known affectionately as the 'Memo
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Police drafted in to stop jams
THE traffic jams that plagued the event Monday morning were tamed by police yesterday. Officers at the Tredegar roundabout off junction 28 of the M4 kept traffic flowing and queues into the car parks were much shorter. Sergeant Steve Keenan said: "It
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Who's backing the campaign
AS well as the Argus, some big names are supporting the Memo's bid to win Restoration. These include former Labour leader Neil Kinnock, Falklands hero Simon Weston, rock superstars the Manic Street Preachers and local MP Don Touhig. The Celtic Manor,
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Search on for new school site
THE search is on for a site in Pill, Newport, for a new primary school. The city council says Pill Primary is almost full and the growing area will need an extra primary. It has not promised to build a new school, but has instructed officers to scour
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Welsh learner is title finalist
AN ABERGAVENNY woman is one of the finalists in this year's Welsh Learner of the Year competition at the Eisteddfod. Originally from England, Lois Arnold, who now lives in Frogmore Street, started learning Welsh six years ago at a learners' course at
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Ballet group's show a festival first
NEWPORT-based Independent Ballet Wales became the first ballet company to perform at the Eisteddfod. They put on an incredible performance (pictured) of Welsh legend The Lady in the Lake. Newport-born Darius James choreographed the show and the professional
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Our blood is in this building
Newbridge's Memo is bidding to win £3 million in the BBC's Restoration programme a bid which the Argus is backing. MIKE BUCKINGHAM meets some of those for whom it is a reminder of their own history GHOSTS recline in the plush seats and laugh as Charlie
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Thanks for the Memo-ries...
MEMORIES of romantic evenings spent courting at Newbridge Memo are shared by many happy couples. And for 81-year-old Ros Luxton her recollections are especially tender as she was widowed 17 years ago. Now she says she would love to see the Memo restored
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Stars come out to boost fund
THERE are only two days left to register to take part in the biggest Sparkle event of the year so far. On Sunday hundreds of people are expected to enjoy the exercise and fresh air as they walk the six miles from Fourteen Locks, Newport, to Cwmbran Stadium
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Trip down memory lane for AM
NEWBRIDGE'S Memo holds a special place in Assembly Member Jocelyn Davies' heart. Because she had her first kiss in the spectacular art-deco cinema/theatre currently bidding for a £3 million television makeover. South Wales East AM Ms Davies remembers
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Fate of Memo in your hands
THE fate of the Newbridge Memorial Hall is in your hands - that's the message from supporters of the building's bid for a multi-million-pound makeover. This evening the voting phonelines that will decide the winner of the BBC's Restoration programme will
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Right note for Julian - 26.07.04
HE is one half of British music's most famous siblings and is the big name draw for the Eisteddfod's opening weekend. Julian Lloyd Webber's performance on Sunday evening with the National Orchestra of Wales promises to be one of the highlights of the
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Friends in bid for Lottery cash
ALL hands to the pump in fundraising - that was the message from the Friends of Newbridge Memo last night as they begin a bid to secure National Lottery cash. Committee members believe the Heritage Lottery Fund can be wooed into stumping up most of the
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Loaf at your leisure
TWO PINTS of lager, a packet of crisps... and a white sliced loaf? Two Monmouthshire pubs are helping keep their communities alive by selling groceries over the bar. Tom and Debbie Zsigo, licensees of the Lion Inn at Trellech and the Moon and Sixpence
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On the catwalk for funds
GWENT followers of fashion can enjoy a special Sparkle Fashion Show this week. The show will feature some of our Sparkle children who helped to make and design many of the costumes and scenery for the show at special workshops held throughout the school
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Steve is still sparky
Steve Harley may not be a cockney but Sally Churchward finds he is still a bit of a rebel IT was nearly 30 years ago that Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) was a number one hit for Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel. Today the enduringly popular song is
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Sparkle kids in fashion mood
DISABLED children got creative yesterday as they came together to make items for a special fashion show for our Sparkle Appeal. Children who are set to benefit from the new centre to be built at High Cross worked together at Coleg Gwent's site in Nash
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I can't wait to be back in the ring
IT'S great to be returning to action at last, and great to be making a bit of boxing history by being the first Welshman to be involved in a world title fight in Scotland. The Royal Highland Showground showdown with Egyptian challenger to my WBO world
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So much to choose from
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
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A feast of big names
ANYONE with eyes bigger than their belly can feast both in Gwent this weekend at the sixth Abergavenny Food Festival Wales' most successful food festival is a chance for foodies to admire the work of old masters while catching up with the young Turks.
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Sally Burton says festival honours star
A TRIBUTE to the Welsh actor Richard Burton spilled over into glowing praise for Newport from Burton's widow, Sally, who was with him up until his death 20 years ago. Officially opening an exhibition of photographs of her late husband at the St David's
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Memo welcomes faces old and new
A GENERATION of people who have never set foot inside Newbridge Memo were finally able to do so at the weekend. Memo closed its doors almost 40 years ago, but on Saturday they were thrown open once again. And people of all ages were able to join tours
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Drivers pound the pavement
BUS DRIVERS are staging a sponsored walk next month to help the son of a workmate who is battling leukaemia. Workers with Newport Transport are organising the event from the city to Cwmbran to raise funds for Thomas Steer, nine, from Alway, whose father
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Daredevil mayor to take the plunge
NEWPORT'S daredevil mayor is taking the plunge for our Sparkle Appeal on Sunday. Councillor Paul Cockeram will be taking part in an abseil from the city's Royal Gwent Hospital for our appeal - and it is not too late for you to join him. We launched the
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Lights, camera, action as Eisteddfod gets under way
THE biggest party ever seen in Wales got under way in Gwent last night. Over the coming week Welsh language and culture will be celebrated at The National Eisteddfod in Newport. The site at Tredegar House will host around 300 stands and exhibitions and
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Store celebrates in style
CAERLEON store Grapevine, which prides itself on offering clothes for women over 35, is celebrating its first anniversary this month with the launch of two new labels. The shop is now stocking Joyce Ridings and Sonja Marohn in addition to existing collections
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City's police boss wins high praise
Chief Superintendent Kevin Price, of Newport, was praised in the House of Commons for going back on the beat in the city. Wales minister Don Touhig agreed with Newport East MP Alan Howarth that the superintendent was leading by example by being regularly
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Festival set to be bigger and better
SINCE the Eisteddfod last visited Newport 16 years ago, it has expanded to become one of the UK's largest music and arts festivals. And for visitors to the festival, which opens in Newport this Friday, that means more singing, dancing, performances and
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Couple recall first kiss
ROMANCE was often in the air at the Newbridge Memo as young men and women met at the cinema and dance hall. And for one couple, Neil and Christine Bowdich, their first kiss under the Memo roof heralded the start of a long and happy relationship. Now they
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Countdown to curtain up
THIS is the first exclusive and spectacular glimpse inside the impressive Eisteddfod pavilion at Tredegar House as the countdown for the festival approaches its final couple of days. As workers and builders complete the construction of the impressive
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Sarky hoping for Welshman
WALES should appoint a Welshman to lead the national team, according to outgoing boss Mark Hughes. THe new Blackburn Rovers boss stands down as Wales manager after the October double header against England and Poland and several big name foreigners have
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Memo win may be tall order
THE final countdown to save one of the finest remaining art-deco cinemas in Britain has begun. In less than 24 hours, supporters of the Newbridge Memorial Hall will be able to cast their vote in the Welsh regional final of the BBC2 programme Restoration
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You knows it's top
NEWPORT rappers Goldie Lookin' Chain are set to smash into the top ten of the UK album charts this weekend with their debut album, Greatest Hits. The record, which came out on Monday, is currently at number six in the mid-week album charts with predicted
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Hopes high as result nears
SUPPORTERS of Newbridge Memo's bid to win BBC2's Restoration competition can begin voting from tomorrow evening. A BBC spokeswoman said yesterday that people can vote from 10pm - and that essential number to ring has been revealed as 09011 322203. Voting
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Mountain man
OUR Sparkle campaign is set to reach new heights this summer when a Gwent walker scales the country's highest mountain to raise money for the appeal. Jason Dury, aged 31, will climb Ben Nevis in Scotland over the August bank holiday weekend in a sponsored
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Cooper's genius lives on
A FAVOURITE pastime of the Welsh expatriate is to point out exactly how many of Britain's luminaries are, unbeknownst to most, actually Welsh. They include Motorhead's Lemmy, John Cale of the Velvet Underground - and the late, great Tommy Cooper. The
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Band set to rock memorial hall
A LOCAL rock band will be helping to revive Newbridge Memorial Hall next month. Local band Legacy are preparing to play a gig to raise the profile of the venue, affectionately known as the Memo. The Friends of Newbridge committee have been busy fundraising
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BBC still refuses to issue Memo figures
THE number of votes Newbridge Memo received in the Restoration final was still a complete mystery today. The BBC refused to release the figures for "logistical" reasons. But the decision has left campaigners bewildered as to why they have not been told
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Memorial Hall
THE campaign to save Newbridge Memorial Hall received a major boost last week as over 300 people packed into the old building. It was this facility that formed the cornerstone of the community as a dance, drama and cinema venue throughout the last century
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Last chance to vote
THIS is your last chance to help Newbridge's Memorial Hall win the £3 million prize in BBC's Restoration programme - by dialling up and voting for the landmark building. Tomorrow is the day of reckoning for the "jewel of the Valleys" built by the miners
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Spirit of success shines on
HEAVY afternoon showers broke the heatwave but failed to dampen the spirit of success at the Eisteddfod. A total of 15,142 people went through the gates yesterday - just down from last year's bumper figure of 15,861 but well over the 2002 total of 13,478
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Don't panic
DON'T panic and don't write us off after one defeat, urges Newport Gwent Dragons captain Jason Forster going into tonight's Celtic League showdown against champions Llanelli Scarlets at Rodney Parade. And he says it would be foolhardy to dismiss the Scarlets
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Mother is crowned top Welsh learner
AN Abergavenny mum was crowned the top Welsh learner last night. Lois Arnold moved to Gwent six years ago and set about mastering the language. Now she has beaten off a field of international competition at the Eisteddfod and has become a night school
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War hero Simon calls on kids to support Memo
FALKLANDS War hero Simon Weston will tomorrow be urging Valleys schoolchildren to get involved in the bid to restore the historic Newbridge Memo. Mr Weston, who suffered horrific burn injuries during the Falklands conflict in 1982, will be speaking to
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Eisteddfod clean-up gets underway
THE big clean-up was under way today after 155,000 people passed through the gates of this year's National Eisteddfod. Organisers say 5,000 more people than expected attended the Newport event. Eisteddfod Press officer Betsan Williams said this year's
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PJ back on home turf
As her 30s roll by West Country lass Polly Jean Harvey plays another tour of the UK this month. The pepper pot-sized spokeswoman for a jilted generation is in the Bristol Academy on Sunday, September 12. Her band PJ Harvey are 13 years into a successful
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Aiming to give Dragons a lift
THE NEWPORT Gwent Dragons will be aiming to bounce back from last weekend's defeat in Cardiff with a little help from some new fans tonight. The new Dragons cheerleaders have been putting the final touches to their routine this week ahead of their debut
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Dare to be different at a laughter-filled lunchtime
Nigel Jarrett casts a cultured eye over the next few weeks to help you plan your days and nights out THIS month we are interpreting 'culture' in its widest sense by recommending an entertaining lunchtime session on the differences between the sexes. Author
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Pride of the Valleys
WHEN first appointed to the British Embassy in Washington, Guy Burgess was told three rules: not to be too left-wing, not to get involved in race relations, and not to get involved in any homosexual incidents. "I understand," the spy replied. "What you
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Reeling in the cash
ARCHITECTS asked to come up with an estimate for restoring the Newbridge Memo to its former glory reckon it will cost close to £3m. Just a few months later the Memo was entered in the BBC's Restoration programme - which is offering the eventual winner
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Friends' sadness as Memo just loses out
FRIENDS of Newbridge's Memo are today vowing to continue their battle to restore the 'jewel of the Valleys' - despite narrowly losing the £3 million Restoration programme prize. In a nail-biting final at Hampton Court Palace last night the Memo, built
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Meaty task for Sean
A CWMBRAN butcher will join top chefs at the Abergavenny Food Festival this weekend for a demonstration of his skills. Croesllan Catering Butchers of Cwmbran supply some of Gwent's most exclusive eateries, including Newport's Celtic Manor, the Walnut
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Haunted Firth adds depth to mindgame
Film review: Trauma (15) A mindgame set in East London with a Britcom stalwart and an American beauty - this could have been traumatic for all the wrong reasons. But Colin Firth brings depths to the part that his work in Love Actually and Bridget Jones
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Pit leader speaks out for Memo
THE director and chairman of Tower Colliery will be in Newbridge tonight to support the campaign to save the Memo. Tyrone O'Sullivan led the successful campaign to buy-out the Hirwaun pit - and helped turn it into a profit-making business over the last
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Short, unsettling and a pretty big fish
Review: Open Water (15) FOR £70,000 you could struggle to buy a small flat in Newport. Or you could bankroll a unique nerve-racker about a shark-pecked couple that has swept up global audiences. Strange what money can buy. Open Water faces the primal
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Track stars back sponsored walk
OLYMPIC Welsh medallists have pledged their support to the Argus Sparkle appeal. Athletes Jamie Baulch and Colin Jackson are urging people to take part in a sponsored walk to raise cash for the new children's centre to be built at High Cross. We launched
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We can still get through - Parry - 09.09.04
PAUL Parry believes last night's match with Northern Ireland showed Wales DO have the quality to qualify for the World Cup, but he admits they have made a far from ideal start. The Chepstow-born star told the Argus: "If we are going to do well in the
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Hang out for autumn colour
AUTUMN HANGING BASKETS: Hanging baskets are a great way to inject colour and create diversion into the garden, so be sure to make use of their decorative potential in autumn and winter. First choose a good-looking basket. It's more likely to remain visible
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Now we must win away - 09.09.04
NEWPORT born James Collins has admitted that Wales now have it all to do in their quest for World Cup qualification. Collins, 22, was making his competitive debut last night and had the misfortune to slip at a vital moment which gifted Northern Ireland
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Memo wins through
THE SOUND of champagne corks popping and loud cheers resounded across Newbridge last night after the Memorial Hall took a step closer to scooping to multi-million pound makeover. Yesterday scores of jubilant supporters were at the hall to hear they had
