Archive
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No flock, just perfection
Juboraj, Commercial Road, Newport WHEN I was asked to review my favourite Indian restaurant in Wales, I thought Christmas had come early. Newport's Juboraj, on Commercial Road is part of a group of four restaurants in South Wales. I still get nostalgic
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Sex attacker jailed
A MAN with a criminal record for sexual offences has been jailed for three years. Thomas Dixon, 34, pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual assault on a girl aged 14. Cardiff crown court heard he had a previous conviction for indecently assaulting a 60-year-old
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High school girls get mean
CADY Heron grew up in Africa, but there's one wild animal she never met: the American high school superbitch. She's never been to school, having been home-tutored by her academic parents. But when they move to Illinois she ends up in a cookie cutter high
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Sammo Hung's new release
ASPIRING Welsh punk band Sammo Hung have finished their new single, I Love The Leader. It's due to be released on No Danger Recordings soon and will be their first release since their quirky debut album. It's been remixed by Charlie Francis who has been
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Ripe for romantic night
Signor Valentino, Cardiff Bay. Enjoying a commanding elevated position at the heart of Mermaid Quay, Signor Valentino seems to have all the credentials for a perfect romantic meal - although I had been warned it was on the pricey side. Candle-lit tables
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Pub food and plenty of it
SITUATED in the lanes leading down to the Gwent wetlands at Goldcliff. Newport, , the Farmer's Arms is a traditional country pub with an emphasis on home-cooked pub food and generous proportions. We called in on a quiet Friday night in November and were
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Spice at the right price
A CURRY at Popadoms restaurant in High Street, Newport, will not disappoint. My dining partner and I knew we were in for a treat when the quintessential Indian cuisine aromas greeted us as we walked up the stairs to the first-floor restaurant. For starters
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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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Skippy pleasant but no surprise
Walkabout Bridge Street, Newport 01633 259 710 If I remember the TV series right, bush tucker involved scratching around the outback for fat grubs and bitter roots. Thankfully life is not as hard in Walkabout - a venue better known for its packed weekend
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Woodward names Lions coaching staff
Sir Clive Woodward today unveiled the largest coaching and management team in Lions history. England's World Cup-winning mastermind will head a 26-strong group for next summer's tour of New Zealand. The appointments, revealed at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium
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Tour in full force
DEAD Men Walking are Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols, Bruce Watson of Big Country, Mike Peters of The Alarm, Kirk Brandon of Spear Of Destiny and Slim Jim Phantom of The Stray Cats. They have over forty UK Top 30 singles, 20 million record sales worldwide
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Summer Fun at the Roman Legionary Museum
You won't be stuck for things to do this summer down at the Roman Legionary Museum, Caerleon. There's a variety of activities to keep everyone entertained. You can be a detective and solve a dastardly murder at the museum. Join up with the SPQR police
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Romantic comedy is pacy and pleasing
Along Came Polly (12A: Ben Stiller, Jennifer Aniston, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Debra Messing, Alec Baldwin ALONG come comedy duo Ben Stiller and writer-director John Hamburg for another outing, after their hits Zoolander and Meet the Parents. Stiller is
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Mum fumes over nappies left besides bin
A NEWPORT mum was left with bags of stinking nappies after the council refused to move her full bin. Lesley Chapman, of Stow Hill, who has a nine-month-old son Finn, was livid when binmen left three bags of nappies and rotting food on her pavement. She
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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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On track for the future
IT'S nearly ten years since Jan Preece founded the Pillgwenlly Heritage Centre. Many people at the time said its involvement in the community would never stand the test of time. Well, it has. Much to Jan's delight they've been proved wrong, and his passionate
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Rock 'n' riot with Razorlight
THE NME Rock'n'Roll Riot tour brings the goodtime-lovin' Razorlight to Cardiff Uni tonight. Like a latter-day Pogues-cum-Saw Doctors, but with more attention to their wardrobe, Razorlight are a romantic lot. Their last two singles, Vice and Golden Touch
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Showtime for centre
IT'S BEEN years in the making, but the new Millennium Centre, visible from across Cardiff and already nicknamed 'the Armadillo' by workers in the Bay, is about to open for business. And from Monday, tickets have been on sale for a whole host of attractions
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Residents in silent protest at mast site
A SILENT protest was staged by residents of Cross Keys and Pontywaun during a site inspection for a controversial mobile phone mast. Nearly 20 banner-waving locals braved the cold and wet to gather at a patch of land at the rear of Medart Place in Risca
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First-class dining
SITTING at one of a long stretch of tables at the far end of the restaurant was reminiscent of being in a train carriage, so I was not surprised to learn of Junction 28's railway history. The decor of the Bassaleg, Newport, restaurant consists of random
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Easy to fall for this sport!
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
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Curries worth flocking to
NEWPORT'S Juboraj on Commercial Road is part of a group of four restaurants in South Wales. I still get nostalgic for Indian restaurants decorated with flock wallpaper and water features but Juboraj does the clean, contemporary look better than most.
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Robson's Bellamy fear
Former Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson has warned that Craig Bellamy's short temper will probably always remain part of his personality. The Wales striker has been involved in two bust-ups with Robson's St James' Park successor, Graeme Souness, in the
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Ready for curtain up
WITH just 24 hours until the official opening of the Riverfront, the final touches are being made to Newport's new £15 million arts centre. The staff have all moved into their offices and ice cream freezers are stocked as the centre gets ready for its
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Extreme sport is a ball
MAN'S greatest dream has always been to fly like a bird. Rolling along in a big ball like an enormous hamster comes a little lower on the list. But that's the latest craze to arrive on these shores from New Zealand, home of extreme sports. There's evidently
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IT'S full steam ahead for fun this spring
THE 200th anniversary since Cornish inventor Richard Trevithick put the wheels of South Wales rail travel in motion. And youngsters can go off the rails in celebration. A year-long programme of events is underway to mark the building of the first steam
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More to it than hardcore
WELSH metal is on a roll. From preening in Pontypridd to bowel bashing in Merthyr, there's a healthy interest in our bands. When Reason Sleeps are a new addition to this school of hard riffs and from next Friday there're a few chances to see them near
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Satisfaction is guaranteed
THE Coach and Horses, Castleton, was busy with all sorts of customers, from families and groups of pensioners to men enjoying a quiet meal alone, when I visited recently. The menu offered a wide selection of meat and fish dishes, plus about three vegetarian
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Inn crowd have got it right
The Sloop Inn Llandogo. MY wife has an uncanny knack of selecting the best meal on any menu and, as we settled into the bar, she homed in on the homemade fishcakes. As usual I spent an age over the menu, finally opting for the free-range chicken. Having
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The Orient at its best
China Boy Jo, Monnow Street, Monmouth FORGET your average Chinese restaurant, this is a taste of the Orient at its best. China Boy Jo has a range of mouth-watering meals to choose from. The surroundings are bright and modern in what was once an old pub
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Bean feast for healthier children
THESE days pupils at an Abergavenny school are more likely to be found tucking into salad and mineral water than chips and coke. In a bid to promote healthy eating King Henry VIII Comprehensive has ditched its vending machines and fast food. Since September
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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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Four killed in quarry plunge
FOUR Gwent men died when their car plunged 100ft down a quarry yesterday afternoon. At around 3.50pm a car travelling towards Llanhilleth on the B4471 at Swffryd left the road and rolled down an embankment before going over a sheer drop at the disused
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Feast of Shakespeare
SHAKESPEARE plays are coming not (as) single spies to South Wales this week, but in battalions, to misquote the Bard. His fans will be able to see five plays, ranging from comedy to tragedy, performed by the Wales Theatre Company, and the Royal Shakespeare
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Jousting and jollities
IF you want to experience a day of sieges, jousting and medieval history then a visit to Berkeley Castle this weekend is the ideal day out. On Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 6pm in the setting of the 850-year-old Berkeley Castle there will be medieval
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Freedom in the forest
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
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Food is the new rock'n'roll!
THERE have been many contenders for the new rock'n' roll over the last ten years - comedians, DJs, and even novelists have taken their turn in the spotlight. But if the decision is based on the nation's unflagging interest, an enormous growth in financial
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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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Let's go to enjoy Avril shower
AVRIL Lavigne could be no more obviously manufactured if she had a barcode and telephone number for customers branded in her butt. The evidence is overwhelming. Her best-known songs on the album Let Go, including omnipresent singles Complicated and Sk8r
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Worth banking on
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
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Where fans are legion
This summer visit the Romans as they march on Caerleon. On the July 10 and 11 there will be a weekend full of re-enactment at the Roman Legionary Museum's 'Military Spectacular'. There will be soldiers, cavalry, artillery and civilians ready to make the
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Don't forget your sarnies
WITH an increasing emphasis on the need for healthy living and keeping fit, going on a long walk with good company is one excellent way of taking exercise. Newport Ramblers Club offers just that and new members are always welcome. Mavis Booth, who has
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Rock with a swagger
ANOTHER one of those retro rock bands with through-a-hedge-backwards hairdos, the Glitterati play Cardiff's Barfly next week. They're supporting YHA on Monday, August 23, three days after they release new single Back In Power. "I've always had pretty
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Ideal for romantic evening
Castle View Hotel, Chepstow As the name suggests, this pretty hotel, in Bridge Street, is within a stone's throw of Chepstow Castle. The 300-year-old building is easily accessible, with parking opposite. The hotel itself is quaint and homely. The restaurant
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Investing in and tasting fine wine
OF all collecting, fine wines may be the hardest subject to get into as a newcomer. That's the opinion of Stephen Mould who heads up the wine department at Sotheby's in London. But he also says that wine is growing in popularity as people travel more.
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Sunshine on a stormy day
FRESH rom their acclaimed appearances at Glastonbury and T in the Park festivals, The Bees call on Cardiff uni as part of their autumn tour. The 22-date jaunt is in support of their rather excellent new album, Free The Bees and the third single to be
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Try this museum time machine
ENJOY a whole family day out at an open-air attraction where visitors can take a trip back in time at The Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, West Midlands. Located nine miles from Birmingham City Centre the museum is home to a collection of buildings
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End of an era for school on the move
TODAY marks the end of an era at a Newport school. It is the last day for thousands of pupils and the staff at the current St Joseph's High School building before they move to a new purpose- built school at Pencarn Way, Duffryn. The £10m building is the
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Get in quickly for McFly
Like a bunch of prissy models, McFly's favourite topic of conversation is each other. Tom Fletcher (guitar/vocals) talks about Dougie Poynter (bass, vocals), Danny Jones (guitar/vocals) talks about Harry Judd (drums) and they all talk about Danny. For
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An exquisite evening
The Crown at Whitebrook, Near Monmouth Tucked away in the beautiful Monmouthshire countryside is a hidden treasure and a culinary oasis that is the award-winning The Crown at Whitebrook. It isn't hard to see why it is featured in the Good Food Guide,
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Maintaining the tradition
The Dilshad Restaurant, Clarence Place, Newport. THE Dilshad is a comfortable and friendly restaurant with that traditional Indian feel. Low lights, Indian music and pictures of tigers on the walls - now that's what I call an Indian. To start I had the
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Packed parade
SATURDAY'S Heineken Cup clash between New-port Gwent Dragons and Newcastle is heading for a sell-out, the first at Rodney Parade for four years. The ticket office has been inundated with requests this week and on one day alone over 600 tickets were sold
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A day in Eden is heaven
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
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Legends reunite for gig
TWO legends of folk music reunite in Risca next month - John Renbourn and Jacqui McShee. The guitarist and singer were two of the founder members of the jazz-folk fusion band Pentangle in 1967. It was the genre's first super-group and its members have
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Best of British works well
THE Three Blackbirds at Llantarnam, Cwmbranseems the perfect village pub, with its winding stone steps, wooden panels and horse brasses. Diners only realise that this place is somewhat schizophrenic when they hear the R&B soundtrack to which people
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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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Safari with music as well
WEST Midland Safari and Leisure Park has plenty to interest visitors every day - and this summer an outdoor musical event will provide even more entertainment on two nights. Among the attractions is a pride of rare white lions, the only one of its kind
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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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Polo without horses
IF you are looking for a fun way to get fit and shed those extra pounds head on down to your local pool for a game of water polo. Less boring than swimming lengths and cleaner than a game of hockey, water polo is the perfect pastime. Gary Edwards of the
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Ornate wall of china
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
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Red-hot Astra concept gives Paris show visitors a real 'Eiffel'
RIVALS might still be reeling after catching sight of the stunning new Astra Sport Hatch but Vauxhall has another blow in store - the red-hot HPC show car. With jaw-dropping looks and a massive 240bhp, the three-door Astra promises to hit competitors
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Jeep Grand Cherokee takes on urban jungle
JEEP has launched two new special editions of its award-winning Grand Cherokee in the UK, with metallic paint, sat-nav and rear-park assist as standard. The top-of-the-range Grand Cherokee Platinum is based on the Overland model and the Limited XS on
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Crafts from yesteryear
SET in one of Wales' beautiful parks, Pontypool Museum is located in the Georgian stable block of Pontypool Park House, the former home of the Hanbury family, which dates back to the 18th century. The museum's changing exhibitions and audiovisual presentations
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Heroes are museum's stars
THE FIGHTING spirit of South Wales soldiers at Rorke's Drift has been immortalised in more than a hundred books, the epic movie Zulu, and many thousands of words by the Argus' own Mike Buckingham. The movie, directed by Sir Stanley Baker in 1964, centred
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Tales from the sex shop
FORMER sex shop worker Ville Valo says he can't leave it alone and that pornography made him into a monster. Next Friday he'll be telling all of Cardiff about it in the International Arena. He and his pop-goth band HIM have come all the way from their
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A satisfying charm
THE Kings Arms on Belmont Hill, Caerleon, is a quaint archetypal British pub full of olde worlde charm and the service was equally pleasant. The fare was typical 'pub grub' offering no surprises, but it was plentiful and freshly made. My companion started
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Cool place for disco lovers
THE Red Lion Bar and Disco at Blackwood is the place to be during the present hot spell - it's air-conditioned. But that's not the only good news about this popular venue. The licence governing opening times have been extended. And that means an extra
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Mazda announces record September sales
Mazda Motors UK is celebrating a hugely successful September with several new records for sales in a market that dipped by two per cent. Mazda's passenger car market share has also exceeded two per cent for the first time, at 2.11 per cent for September
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Upbeat and cheerful return to the 70s
IT'S tempting to list the red and white Ford Torino among the actors, such is its iconic power in this mock salute at the 70s cop show. The story comes second to the fact that here is Starsky and, look, here's Hutch, nearly 30 years on. Much of the appeal
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You'll be paralysed by pleasure
Review: Spider-Man 2 (15) "With great power comes great responsibility" is what Spidey's uncle told him, but the same could apply to director Sam Raimi. After the massive success two years ago of Spider-Man, he faced a sticky task in making a worthy sequel
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Devil you may learn to care for
Hellboy (12A) The latest comic hero to get the bat, cat, super, spider man/woman makeover, Hellboy should have been called Tandoorithing. His brooding scorched red face glows angrily against the rest of the set. His devil tail and oversized stone hand
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Enjoy a large chunk of Sal!
CHUGGERS plays pop! Sal, the Welsh band, are back heavier and chunkier than ever for the release of their debut album, Dysfunctional. They've got riff-reinforced guitar-built walls, 21st feminist lyrics and enough extra touches to separate Sal from the
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Read your way to Hay
THERE'S more to life than books, you know, but in Hay-on-Wye the divide between the printed word and the real world has largely been erased. The little town in the Brecon Beacons has become Wales' largest repository of literature, with more than 30 bookshops
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An adventure for your palate
WHAT the Taste of Asia in Caxton Place, Newport, lacks in dcor more than makes up in the quality of its food. On a disappointingly quiet Thursday night I found myself wandering around Newport and by accident found the Indian restaurant/takeaway in Caxton
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The winning balance
MOTOCROSS seems like a simple concept: line up. Go when the gate drops. Lead into the first corner. Turn faster laps around the racetrack. And beat the other riders to the finish line. In reality, just riding around a motocross track at speed is anything
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SDR to open next month
NEWPORT'S long-awaited and delay-hit Southern Distri-butor Road is now set to open in November. Engineers are still working on repairing botched drainage on the new £55m road system. The faulty drains discovered last month meant a three-mile stretch had
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Good, friendly service
TUCKED away along a quiet country road at Llanfrechfa near Cwmbran is the pleasant Raj Gate Indian restaurant. My partner and I arrived on a fairly quiet Monday evening with the restaurant less than half full. Apart from ourselves and another couple,
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On the trail of a challenge
FOR a challenging mountain bike ride with breathtaking views, get on your bike and ride the Twrch Trail. Ranger at the Cwmcarn Visitor Centre, Graeme Layzell, said the course has a lot to offer. "The trail has a brilliant single track ride and offers
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Playthings of yesteryear
ANTIQUES can be much more than a valuable piece of furniture or a valuable ornament - they can evoke childhood memories. When most people mention antiques or antiques fairs the first thing that comes to mind may not be a piece of glassware, jewellery
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All aboard a mountain thriller
SNOW, SKATE, surf, ironing - there's no kind of board that can't be used in an extreme sport. But the latest craze to hit Wales has one advantage over all of them. Mountain boarding, in simple terms riding a plank with four wheels nailed to it down a
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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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Jaguar reveals 'Spirit' Limited Edition X-Type
JAGUAR X-TYPE buyers now have a new special edition model to tempt them. The 2.5 AWD Spirit Limited Edition, which features the recently announced Jaguar Sports Collection accessory body styling package as standard, is available to order now. The new
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Big test ahead for new Dragon Bryan
Richard Bryan was probably the least celebrated of Newport Gwent Dragons' summer signings, but now he has established himself in the team, can't wait for Saturday's Heineken Cup-tie against Newcastle and is even bidding for international honours after
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Country girl visits the CIA
THE 13-year-old girl with the Patsy Cline twang has come a long way in nine years. Leann Rimes has sold eight million copies of her major label debut album, Blue, and toured the world over. At the 1997 Grammy Awards she won Best New Artist (the youngest
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Bird lovers take up gauntlet
THERE are plenty of feathered friends on hand to greet visitors to the new Black Mountain Falconry centre at Wern Ddu, near Abergavenny. The centre, the first of it kind in Gwent, has 45 birds of prey on display to the public, including owls, buzzards
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Soundtrack for a generation
There are few songs that have epitomised an era's obsessions as much as G Tom Mac's soundtrack to The Lost Boys, Cry Little Sister. A horror film about a tribe of teenage vampires, The Lost Boys was a stylish brat pack affair starring Kiefer Sutherland
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Beacon of attraction
WITH summer on its way, the Brecon Beacons is in bloom and offering something for all the family looking to escape for a day in the outdoors. Whether you are looking for a leisurely stroll in the mountains, taking up a new activity or just getting on
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Small, modern and classy
BISTRO 10 is your typical on Mermaid Quay Cardiff Bay eatery - small, modern and classy. The delicious food is served in oversized dishes, making you feel like a child again. We went on a Saturday night and were unable to get a table until 9.30pm, so
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Watch out Brecon, here's a rival
IT MAY not quite be at Brecon's level yet, but Pontypool's annual Jazz in the Park festival is building quite a reputation. This is the fifth year that jazz fans have been invited to the town's extensive park for a weekend of live performances from some
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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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Explore Wales on horseback
THERE'S no better way to get out and see the beautiful Welsh countryside this summer than on horseback. FreeRein trails, based in Hereford, offer riders the chance to explore over 600 miles of mountains and moorlands in beautiful mid-Wales. From a six-day
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A feast beside the river
The Newbridge country pub and restaurant, Tredunnock ON a pitch black, foggy winter's night, The Newbridge restaurant near Usk is not the easiest place to find. Situated on the banks of the river Usk in the tranquil village of Tredunnock, the Newbridge
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Fatboy changes track
If dance music is dead, someone forgot to tell Fatboy Slim and the million or more people who have been to his gigs in the past two years. Two summers ago 250,000 people flocked to Brighton for his second Big Beach Boutique and in March this year in Rio
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Departure arrives
PSYCHEDLIC yet miserable surf sound maestros The Departure make their sonic attack in the Barfly tonight. While the band's guitarists play like they were in Man Or Astroman the vocalist does a good impersonation of Morrissey. Their new single Be My Enemy
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Skateboarders on a roll
IF HEAVEN is a half-pipe, then the stairway down to Hell must be full of skater boys grinding down the rails, St Peter himself is no doubt a sick thrasher dude, and the Pearly Gates have been tagged to the max. Skater culture began in that laboratory
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Show of medieval pageantry
CALDICOT Castle will provide the setting for a weekend of Medieval entertainment. This weekend there are three days to enjoy an event that will bring alive the splendour and pageantry of the medieval period. The day out is a day for the whole family with
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Shining light on Welsh life
FOR nearly fifty years, the Museum of Welsh Life in St Fagans has been bringing five centuries of Welsh history to life. And this month, visitors to the popular open air museum will also get the chance to look to the future. The museum, on the outskirts
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It's a place of memories
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
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Idyllic setting, great food
NESTLING in an idyllic wooded gorge between the Trellick ridge and the River Wye, The Crown at Whitebrook is one of those hidden gems you read about but seldom find. Recently purchased by Jonathan Davies and his South African wife Nicola, the "restaurant
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Things that go bump in the night
HALLOWEEN is just three weeks away, and the ghost tours and events around Gwent and further afield are getting booked up fast. So if you want to give the family a spooky treat on Halloween weekend, it's time to act now. It will be party time in the barn
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Value off beaten track
The Beaufort Arms, Monkswood, Usk With a cricket field at the back of the pub and in a quiet peaceful setting, The Beaufort Arms fits perfectly as a typical country pub. The welcome is warm and friendly and the food is good value. My partner and I took
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She's talented, she's kickass and she's here!
ONE good reason to go to Bristol this weekend is that chart topper Kelis is live in concert in the Academy. Time to lock up your boyfriends. It's been five long ones since Kelis first beat up her ex in public and won the hearts and minds of women across
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Quality and quantity
PONTYPOOL Indian Cuisine is a quiet, unassuming gem of a restaurant situated on Town Bridge, next to the Afon Llwyd river. The restaurant might well be called The Balti in the Basement, as you have to descend a flight of steps to reach the dining area
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West is Wild but dull
The Missing (15): Tommy Lee Jones, Cate Blanchett, Eric Schweig,Evan Rachel Wood, Jenna Boyd. JUST when it looked like the embers of the cowboy campfire were fading from the world of serious cinema, The Missing stokes them up again. It combines the elements
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Inconsistent County set up Tiverton clash
NEWPORT County Manager John Cornforth can look forward to a warm reception from fans in tonight's 'Meet The Manager' evening at Newport County AFC social club but the newly appointed boss is still trying to come to terms with the inconsistency of his
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Harvest of plenty
Harvester Borderer, Malpas Road, Newport My partner and I wanted a relaxing but tasty meal out midweek and a visit to the Harvester Borderer in Newport certainly gave us both. It was a Thursday evening and the pub was busy, but after a relaxing drink
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Let a llama take the load
SOMEWHERE between taking the dog for a walk and riding a horse, there is the exotic world of llama trekking. And there's no need to go to South America to meet these fascinating and beautiful creatures - a large herd of them live near Chepstow. Saddled
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Call for all information on sex offenders
MONMOUTH AM David Davies has called on prisons minister Paul Goggins to release all information about sex offenders who have absconded from open prisons in the UK. The call follows Monday's meeting between Mr Goggins and campaigners against government
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Saddle up for adventure
NESTLED amid the breathtaking mountains of the Brecon Beacons, Capel-y-ffin hostel, run by Black Mountain Holidays, near Abergavenny, is the ideal base for horse-riding trails and courses. Whether you are a complete beginner, or have been riding all your
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Tipped for the top
WHEN a restaurant is listed within the top 100 places of the Good Curry Guide, you know a treat is in store. We ordered poppadoms and chutneys while we studied the extensive Bangladeshi menu on offer at Misbah Tandoori, Priory Street, Monmouth. I plumped
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Mazda6 estate named Tow Car of the Year
THE Mazda6 Estate has been crowned The Caravan Club Towcar of the Year 2005, in recognition of its practical and affordable towing ability, and the award was presented by former land speed record holder, Richard Noble OBE. The Mazda6 Estate impressed
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Sumptuous Indian meal
THERE is a distinctively wooden feel to Harvey's, the new Indian restaurant inHigh Street, Newport. Sanded wooden floors, solid wood tables and even the faint smell of sawdust mixed with Indian cuisine greeted us as we climbed up to the first floor restaurant
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Scary Movie
MUCH as Gazza fell from the love of this footballing nation to a backwater team in China, so it's been depressing watching Charlie Sheen flush away the talent promised in the mid 80s. His inspired portrayal of a young soldier in the Nam classic Platoon
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Big boys toys
Combining the knowledge and experience gained over decades of developing and manufacturing market leading models for every all terrain environment throughout the world, Yamaha's Bruin 350. Available in both two wheel drive and two and four wheel drive
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Troy delivers for all - except classical purists
WHAT climbs out of this wooden horse isn't so surprising. Epic-style yet not epic, it's lumbering, sweeping 'big cinema'. The Trojan war really did happen, around 1200BC, most likely for business reasons. Homer turned it into a great tale of love and
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Saucy gravy tops it off
THE new-look Stonehouse pub got off to a bit of a shaky start with our meal - but made up for it later. Quality furnishings and a large car park make the Lighthouse Road venue in Duffryn ideal for a 'pub grub' feast. For starters, my dining partner was
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Children tell of bus fire worries
PUPILS who were travelling on a school bus which caught fire and filled with smoke have described their ordeal. Safety on school transport has once again come under the spotlight after 14 Bassaleg Comprehen-sive School pupils from the Marshfield area
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Vanities put on mantle of Spandau Ballet
SOUTH Wales' The Vanities are so eighties they've even been produced by a bloke from Spandau Ballet. It's easy to mock that decade but SB were one of the biggest bands on the planet and primed their own kind of revolution. Tony Hadley's stupid clothes
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New brand of soul reaches city
SINCE the release of his debut album Waltz Of A Ghetto Fly on Genuine this year, Amp Fiddler's profile has continued to expand. His new brand of soul music has been going down well especially in Bristol where he plays Fiddlers again on Wednesday, October
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Rich, delicious and different
FROM the outside, The Piercefield at St Arvans, near Chepstow, looks like a country pub, but once you are inside, its stylish interior reflects culinary ambitions that go well beyond simple bar meals. We started with a bowl of tomato and basil vegetable
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A tasty transformation
The Beaufort, Crickhowell I had been told that all I'd get for my money at The Beaufort was "a pattern on a plate" - but it proved not to be true. And the cost of eating proved very fair as well - offering three courses at the special price of £15.25,
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Force sacks jailed police officer
A POLICE constable, jailed for stealing money from a purse, was sacked today. Jonathan Ellis was caught in Operation Aries, which had been set up by his colleagues in Gwent Police. He was sent to prison earlier this week for three months after admitting
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Spring shows - and spooks!
THERE is plenty going on for Gwent youngsters to mark the start of spring this weekend. Every Friday throughout March, Tredegar House is holding a guided tour of the terrible tales of its paranormal history. Adults and children over the age of seven are
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Variety of acts set to take Centre stage
IT is coming towards the end of the summer holidays and the Newport Centre's autumn season of events kicks in very shortly. The month of September sees sporting events taking centre stage with the first being boxing; where Enzo Maccarinelli will be returning
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Harpist graces Bristol
JOANNA Newsom is a pixie- voiced harpist from the gold-rush town of Nevada City, California. She sings disconcertingly like a ten-year-old but plays the harp like she was ringing a bell. Next month she embarks on her debut UK tour to promote her debut
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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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All in the genes
BRAZILIAN singer Bebel Gilberto knows all about bossa nova: her father, Joao Gilberto, was one of the musicians who invented it. And with her albums Tanto Tempo and the eponymous Bebel Gilberto, she has captivated not just Brazil but the world. This weekend
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You'll get the point
MCLUSKY can tell a story. You need to hear them do it a few times to get it but eventually it sinks in. She Will Only Bring You Happiness is another epic from the band that stuck it's Lightsabresuckingblues in your face a few years ago. It's wrapped in
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100,000th Mazda RX-8 rolls out
MAZDA'S four-door, four-seat rotary-powered sports coupe the Mazda RX-8 has reached a significant production milestone: number 100,000 rolled off the Ujina No. 1 final assembly line near Mazda's corporate headquarters on September 29, 2004. This important
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RSC has date in the Valleys
SHAKESPEARE was no elitist - his plays were popular in London, of course, but they made money by touring the length and breadth of England and playing to audiences in every rural hamlet. And the Royal Shakespeare Company, set up to keep the legacy of
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The gospel according to Mel Gibson
NOBODY ever doubted that crucifixion was bloody and painful, but Mel Gibson takes two hours to make sure that every blow, every lash, every gob of spittle booms into shocked heads in surround sound. It's hugely important that a film maker is tackling
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Cruise waves a sword at imperialism
IT'S A crowded battlefield this year for bloody, cinematic epics inspired by history or legend. Achilles and Paris, Alexander the Great, and King Arthur all promise to impress, but Tom Cruise starts 2004 with an admirable turn in this historic East meets
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Festival that's out of this world
THIS year's Maindee Festival has been taken over by aliens, space freaks and fleets of UFOs from the furthest reaches of the galaxy. The annual music and carnival happening on tomorrow will see floats on an 'out of this world' theme parade throughout
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Smart decor, sharp food
The Cutting Edge Cardiff Bay Tel: 02920 470780 THERE is no shortage of smart bars and restaurants at Cardiff Bay these days, but even among the chrome and wood-floored flock the Cutting Edge stands out. It's ultra minimalist, with a large window overlooking
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Puppets that rise to the occasion
EVERY RUGBY club in South Wales has one... the member who, after more than a few pints and once the ladies have left the room, shyly unveils his own member for a selection of mind-boggling and eye-watering tricks. It's a phenomenon that exists across
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Rescue dogs to show what they're made of
THE life-saving work of rescue dogs will be on show this weekend at Cwmcarn Forest Drive. The Search and Rescue Dog Association of South Wales will set up a reconstruction of how they sniff out people who've gone missing. Collies and Alsatians will be
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Still a topping place to go
NEWPORT and its surrounding area has an abundance of fine restaurants and Curros at Caerleon remains among the best of them. It had been a long time since my last visit - but standards certainly haven't slipped since its award-winning days. Curro was
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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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A world of quality
The Inn at the Elm Tree, St Brides Newport THE INN at the Elm Tree has one of those enviable locations which make it almost a city centre restaurant but with a distinctly country feel. Standing off the main road through the small village of St Brides,
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Megafun for all the family
TEN-PIN bowling is one of those activities that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age, ability or fitness. At Newport's Megabowl, on the Newport Retail Park, there are 32 lanes of bowling heaven, making it an ideal venue for a night of family fun
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Calzaghe's warning
Joe Calzaghe last night told WBO super middleweight title challenger Kabary Salem that if he wanted a belt he had better go to a high street store to buy one because he had no chance of getting his hands on the Newbridge fighter's prize asset. Coming
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Wilkinson to miss big game
Newcastle Falcons and England superstar Jonny Wilkinson will NOT play against the Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade on Saturday. The World Cup hero will be out of action for between four to six weeks because of a haematoma in his upper right arm,
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Couples in comic confusion
NEWPORT Playgoers open their season at the city's Dolman Theatre with the delightful Ayckbourn comedy Relatively Speaking - and for director Gwyneth Moulden Nicholas the play has a certain familiarity. Gwyneth took part in NPS's first production of the
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Simple food done to a tee
Greenmeadow Golf Club, Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran It's not very often that you can say you've enjoyed a three-course meal while at the same time enjoying a round of golf. But at Greenmeadow Golf Club in Cwmbran, diners are afforded a great view of the course
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Be prepared for good food
THE Milton Hotel at Llanwern is part restaurant, part local pub - it is often a good mix when it comes to traditional pub grub and we were not disappointed. A Monday night is not always the fairest night for a review, especially to judge a place on its
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The best in Merrie England
THE MYSTERIOUS folk who inhabit Britain's rural communities are responsible for some strange stories, whether they be of big cats or alien abductions. But the end of this month should see confirmation that one terrifying event, reputed to be held annually
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Relaxing in village pub
The Tan House Inn, Shirenewton IF you want to enjoy a Saturday night meal in a small, friendly pub with a cosy atmosphere then this is the place for you. From its appearance the Tan House is a typical village pub and inside the friendly welcome certainly
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Get down in the dirty ditch
FORGET throwing yourself out of a plane, or leaping from buildings with an elastic band on your back, when it comes to "extreme" sports in the most accurate sense of the term, bog snorkelling must be high on the list. This August bank holiday Monday,
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Food's worth the trip
IT might seem a long way to go for a meal, but the Eagle Inn at Ross on Wye is well worth the journey through the Wye Valley. We chose to eat in the bar but could have gone for the more refined atmosphere of the brasserie. My main course was penne pasta
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Try great expedition to the zoo
ARE you ready for a brilliant day out? Enjoy a whole day filled with excitement and discovery at Bristol Zoo Gardens where, from the smallest and rarest tortoise in the world to the largest ape, there are over 300 exotic and endangered species to explore
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Good meal, great value
Akash, Cardiff Road, Newport. WE received a warm welcome as soon as we entered this city centre Indian restaurant, where the friendly staff were attentive but did not hurry us as we enjoyed a comfortable eating experience. Almost as soon as we sat down
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Travellers' tale in art
HALF A CENTURY ago, leaving the shores of the British Isles was considered a foolhardy and dangerous way to spend time. The popularisation of foreign holidays began in the 1960s with the Costa Del Sol and swept across Europe, and falling air travel costs
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Menu will suit all tastes
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
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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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Revival of the fittest for Cwmbran
A FINE second-half revival at Richmond Park last night, highlighted by late goals from Raith Plant and Mike Fowler, gives the Crows a fighting chance when the team meet again in the Loosemore's League Cup quarter-final second-leg in two weeks. Cwmbran
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Ideal for a quiet meal
The Rat Trap is a pub where you can relax, enjoy good food and good company. It is convenient for most people just off the A449 and yet the peaceful location instantly makes you enjoy the welcoming style of the staff. After a drink in the bar area and
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Club date for those Woo Hoo stompers
IT'S August, so you're going to have to roam a little further for your fix of decent rock. Been to Bath recently? Tokyo lo-fi surf rock trio 5, 6, 7, 8s (why don't bands like this ever come to Wales?) are playing the Moles Club on Sunday, August 15. They're
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Key of the door 'n' all that jazz
THE HORNS are already blowing for one of the biggest weekends in the jazz calendar - the 21st annual Brecon Jazz Festival. For non-afficionados, the biggest name is crossover success Amy Winehouse, singing in the Watton Marquee on Saturday night. Other
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Force sacks jailed police officer
A POLICE constable, jailed for stealing money from a purse, was sacked today. Jonathan Ellis was caught in Operation Aries, which had been set up by his colleagues in Gwent Police. He was sent to prison earlier this week for three months after admitting
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Oh yes, there's life beyond the laundry!
Mona Lisa Smile (12A) IT'S poignant to see Roberts passing on her knowledge and experience to the next generation of Hollywood beauties. Sadly, she's not teaching them how to become a top hooker and snag a rich client, like in Pretty Woman. That might
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Mouth-watering menu
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
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Perfect dream dining
WHEN there's Bang Bang Duck and Paris Breast on the menu, you know you're in for a treat. Tucked away on the road to Ponthir, the Roman Lodge Hotel, in Caerleon, serves up giant portions that left us carrying our bellies into the car. We were sat by an
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Will on his mettle in windy city
ROBOT actors in a summer blockbuster. The joke, like the plot to this sci-fi thriller, is almost too obvious to make. But Will Smith manages to surprise as a leather-loving cop who hates the hordes of robots that are taking over daily life. It's Chicago
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Ideal location, great food
THE Star Inn, at Llanfihangel-Tor-Mynydd, Llansoy, near Usk, may be a little off the beaten track, but on a summer's evening the Monmouthshire countryside makes this an ideal location for an evening out. The pub is well-prepared for all weather with benches
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Up, up and away...
"THE WORLD is a nicer place, in my beautiful balloon. "It wears a nicer face in my beautiful balloon. "We can sing a song, and sail along the silver sky, for we can fly..." So the Supremes sang, among others, and while someone should tell Richard Branson
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Laughs, love and lots of fun with the green one
A DELIGHTFUL clash of the Grimm fairy tales and Meet The Parents, Shrek 2 will send the pixellated stars of Finding Nemo, Toy Story and Monsters Inc green with envy. Following their box office riches last time, Shrek and wife Princess Fiona are now called
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Return of the fast Fiesta
EVER since the Fiesta XR2 of 1981, affordable performance and sheer driving pleasure have been major characteristics of Ford's small car range. Now the Fiesta ST brings those virtues to a new generation of drivers. Fiesta ST is aimed right at the heart
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Hanky-panky with Hanks down South
DEEP South films can ooze stereotypes, but there's no way that Tom Hanks' ridiculous character will fit in the little round holes. Hanks - famous via serious roles as a spaceman, a D-Day soldier and a castaway - plays Professor Goldthwait Higginson Dorr
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Techniquest plus the Gen Game
VISITORS to Techniquest in Cardiff will be able to give their grey matter a thorough work out this week when they take part in the Brain Drain Science Theatre. Every weekend and weekdays during the summer half-term the show will take a look at the human
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Filling fare, friendly faces
The Stonehouse Off Lighthouse Road, Duffryn The Stonehouse is a traditional pub with a warm atmosphere and the kind of familiar place that is ideal to go to for a quick bite or a meal out with friends. There is no dress code and no need to book - you
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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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Right on target
IF your experience of clay pigeon shooting is consigned to watching it during the Olympics or the classic Only Fools and Horses episode, you are certainly not alone. Often viewed as the preserve of the upper classes, clay pigeon shooting is much cheaper
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Thirty years of paddling
A GWENT canoeing club is celebrating more than 30 successful years - and it wants you to join in the fun, too. The club started when a gang of Cwmbran youngsters enjoyed their canoeing lessons at school so much that they kept the group on after they left
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Lock it or lose it
YOU may be dreading the long winter evenings ahead but one part of the population is positively relishing it - the car thief. Longer and darker evenings mean more time to check out potential victims - and more cover to carry out their crimes. So it won't
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Fatboy gets back to basics
FATBOY Slim, aka Norman Cook, had his street cred damaged last month when the New Labour pinched his Right Here - Right Now tune to celebrate their victory at the Hartlepool By-Election. Cook and his record company protested but to no avail. It seems
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Women hunted for passing on fake £50 note
WO women are being sought by police after passing on a counterfeit note at a shop in Brynmawr. The duo, who spoke with Irish accents, also tried to change a fake Scottish £50 note in another store but were foiled by a suspicious shop assistant. The incident
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Wookey wonders
GOING UNDERGROUND? That's entertainment, as the Jam famously sung, so get yourself down a hole this weekend. Wookey Hole houses some of the most spectacular caves in Europe and is the home of the legendary Witch of Wookey. In Somerset, on the very edge