Archive

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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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Time for a bit of rocking

BMW's unfaired boxer twin, the R1150 R is a sophisticated response to the continuously expanding retro market and a reactionary demand for the return to minimalism. Unhampered by the bulk of a fairing or integrated bodywork, the R1150 R is a boxer with

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28.10.03 We won't fold - Williams

THE ultimate test - that is what key Wales flanker Martyn Williams calls playing against the All Blacks. He captained the Welsh team which got thumped by a record 55-3 against New Zealand in June in Hamilton. Now he gets another chance - if he's in the

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A parents' guide to college education

Today's education system offers so much choice that young people are faced with a bewildering array of study options. It can be just as daunting for parents struggling to keep up to date with the full range of qualifications available. But parents will

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Four baby stars chosen from hundreds

THE four stars of Christmas Cuties 2002 were chosen from hundreds of other entries. Marley-J Baker, of Stafford Road, Griffithstown, beat off competitors to win the the nine months and under category. Joshua Kassimatis, from Marshfield Street, Newport

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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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Newport East - fact file

Background: The constituency currently represented by Labour's John Griffiths, consists of the wards of Langstone, Llanwern, Liswerry, Ringland, Alway, Beechwood, St Julian's and Victoria. Candidates: Conservative - Matthew Evans; Labour and Co-operative

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Results for Newport County Borough.

(Winners in bold type) Allt-Yr-Yn: Clive Busson, Plaid Cymru 257 Victoria Colley-Wall, Lab 750 Matthew Evans, Con 1,645 David Fouweather, Con 1,576 Alan Jones, Lab 705 Leslie Knight, Con 1,520 Geoffrey Lee, Lab 804 Megan Rees Webb, Lib Dem 474 David Watts

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The Shane event 22.06.04

Argentian 20 Wales 35 Wing Shane Williams was the hero of the hour as Wales levelled the series with Argentina at Velez Sarsfeld in Buenos Aires. In the land of tango Williams produced a moment of sheer magic to help inspire Wales to a famous victory.

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Welcome from the Mayor of Glamorgan Council

MAY I take this opportunity to thank all who have worked so hard on this programme. It is our intention to show everyone in Barry who reads it as they stroll around this fantastic Waterfront Weekender that not only does our town have a great deal to offer

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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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Seeing Ireland on a bus tour

WHILE bus tours are often seen as a holiday for the more senior traveller, Paul White reports on the advantages they offer young and old, following a week in Ireland. Standing at the bus depot in Normanton, Leeds, waiting for the bus taking my girlfriend

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Payment not on the cards

SET on the roadside on the long and winding route between Chepstow and Usk, the 400-year-old Carpenters Arms is a welcome sight. Inside it's a maze of nooks and crannies, with an assortment of furniture and walls decorated with an unusual mix of pictures

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Monmouth - fact file

* Size of constituency: 831 sq km * Population: 84,885 * Electorate: 62,879 * Unemployed: 1,597 * Major towns: Abergavenny, Chepstow, Monmouth. * Welsh Speakers: 2.7 per cent CANDIDATES: Conservative - David Davies; Labour - Sian James; Liberal Democrat

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Labour regain ascendancy in Islwyn

Islwyn constituency results Irene James (Labour) (pictured) 11,246, Brian Hancock (Plaid Cymru ) 3,926, Paul Taylor (Tinker Against the Assembly) 2,201, Terri Anne Matthews (Conservative) 1,848, Huw Price (Liberal Democrat) 1,268 Majority 7,320, Majority

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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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Pay strike 11.06.04

The Welsh Rugby Union are embroiled in a row with national team captain Colin Charvis which has prompted his refusal to conduct media interviews. It means that unless he can be persuaded otherwise, the recently-signed Newcastle player will not appear

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29.10.03 Collins is back for the Blacks

HARD-hitting number eight Jerry Collins has returned to the New Zealand starting line-up as All Blacks coach John Mitchell named his strongest available side to face Wales on Sunday. Collins has played only once in the World Cup so far, the opening victory

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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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Boost for appeal on the cards

VOLUNTEERS have been busy designing, making and selling Mother's Day cards to help raise money for our Sparkle Appeal. A number of people have made the cards after a donation of materials from Hobbycraft, Newport, to help the appeal. We launched our Sparkle

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Town centre set for Roman invasion

PREPARE to meet the Romans in Newport tomorrow. They will be everywhere, showing us how proud they were to have lived in a city. Not Rome, of course - although many of them may well have come from the Eternal City - but Caerleon. It may be a town now

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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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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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Quality assured at Head Office

HEAD OFFICE hairdressing salon, in Barry, has made a commitment to give their clients a service second to none. Owner Jane Kelly has embraced the Three-Six-Five Day Hairdressing system, which was formed to raise professional and creative standards. The

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Voting blow but Labour hold on

THE ruling Labour party took a blow in Newport's council election battle. The opposition doubled its presence on the council as Labour saw its control cut from 79% to 62%. Nationally, the party lost more than 200 council seats and came third overall.

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Canine Partners

Canine Partners is a progressive charity which aims to transform the lives of people with disabilities (Partners) by providing them with highly trained assistance dogs, enabling them to live more independently and enjoy an enhanced lifestyle. People,

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11.10.03 Notes from Melbourne

TWO Newport Gwent Dragons out here in Australia send messages back home in advance of big matches in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres tomorrow. Newport-based prop Rod Snow, a major figurehead in the Canada team which takes on Wales in the World Cup

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Grab a one-off Sparkle present

PEOPLE in Gwent can now show their support for our Sparkle Appeal with new Sparkle merchandise. Businesses, schoolchildren and volunteers have been sparkling for the last three months and now the Sparkle Appeal is launching badges, teddy bears, mugs and

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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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Bumper crop of bonny youngsters

A QUEUE of proud mothers and fathers with their little Christmas Cuties lined up at the Kingsway Centre in Newport from October 27 - November 1, 2003, for The South Wales Argus Annual Christmas Cutie competition. The large number of Cuties kept the photographers

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08.10.03 It'll be our final!

CANADA are set for the game of their lives when they meet Wales in Sunday's World Cup clash at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne. "It's going to be our cup final" Newport Gwent Dragons prop Rod Snow warns Wales from the Canadian training camp at Woollongong

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Pure comfort and contemporary style

Holland House is Cardiff's newest luxury hotel and epitomises the vibrant mood sweeping this exhilarating city. With the largest hotel meeting and banqueting facilities in Cardiff, this premier hotel blends urban sophistication and ultra modern styling

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Newport East - Cash input stokes hope for deprived

As the National Assembly elections loom, your Argus is reporting on each constituency. In the first of our profiles, MARK CHOUEKE looks at Newport East. THE constituency of Newport East - in the shadow of the giant Corus plant at Llanwern - had more than

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Why we do the things we do!

THE ORIGIN OF WEDDING FLOWERS From the earliest times, brides have adorned their hair with flowers and carried bunches of flowers. Traditionally, each type of flower had a special meaning and significance in and of itself. Flowers were often thrown at

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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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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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Get your career off to a flying start with t2 Skills

School leavers hunting for their first step on the career ladder should look no further than t2 Skills. The Newport-based training provider offers a five-week Foundation Modern Apprenticeship training course to help young people make the successful transition

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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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Ebbw Vale

Ebbw Vale (Glyn Ebwy) stands at the head of the valley of the Ebbw Fawr river and is the administrative centre of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. With a population of 24,422, it is also the largest town in the County Borough. Aneurin Bevan, architect

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How you can help Sparkle

YOUR help will be vital if the Argus campaign to raise £250,000 for the Sparkle Appeal is to be successful. Special fundraising packs are available from the Sparkle Appeal Office, South Gwent Children's Foundation, Block 10 Friars Field, Newport, NP20

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Old Garbo at the Riverfront

ONE of Newport's best new bands, Old Garbo, is to put in an appearance at the new Riverfront centre in Newport next week. Russell Prothero is in concert with his nephew, Julian, on Wednesday, January 26. The Protheros will perform their distinctive brand

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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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14.10.03 Hansen joins in the fun!

IT'S been a G'day Down Under after a G'night as well. To start at the beginning of the sequence, it was a member of the Welsh media's birthday yesterday, and we had a right night out at Filthy Mcfadyeans (yes, that's the name, and no it wasn't filthy)

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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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Business is booming at Jayne Hampson's

AFTER 17 years of trading in Cardiff's City Centre the success of our bridal business now demands bigger premises for our every-growing clientele. Our new bridal showrooms are superbly spacious with everything the bride-to-be could ask for, large changing

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Furnishing dreams

WITH a combined experience of seventy years, the staff at Richard Jones Carpets will know exactly how to furnish your every dream. They have been established for more than 15 years in Barry and offer an excellent personal service. They supply the needs

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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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25.10.03 Exit Mad Max and the Italians

AUSTRALIA will be a sadder place without the Italians and their classic press conferences. I have referred to them more than once, but we all look forward to them so much for the massive authority and the sheer competence of John Kirwan and not least

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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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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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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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Ready, steady makeover

THANKS to the celebrity chefs and cookery programmes that have found favour on the TV, cooking has become one of the nation's most popular pastimes. If you've been inspired by Ainsley Harriot or Ready, Steady Cook you'll need the perfect kitchen to create

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28.10.03 Nothing to lose against top two

WALES have done the hard bit, they've made it to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, they have salvaged some pride and they have come through a tension-packed group game against Italy with a victory when it could so easily have gone the other way. Yet

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Ffeil ffeithiau 2003/2004

17,617 o bobl ifanc wedi derbyn pecynnau gwybodaeth am yrfaoedd (targed 17,617) 1,725 o sesiynau grwp ar gyfer pobl ifanc wedi'u cynnal (targed 1,530) 17,119 o gyfweliadau canllawiau gyrfaoedd gyda phobl ifanc wedi'u cynnal (targed 15,900), gyda 14,509

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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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Dragons duo are in doubt 22.06.04

NEWPORT Gwent Dragons pair Michael Owen and Hal Luscombe are both struggling to make the Welsh team for Saturday's tough test against South Africa in Pretoria. Owen is the biggest doubt, suffering from back spasms, not helped by the seven-hour flight

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Meet your candidates: Monmouth

The Monmouth constituency candidates are: David Davies, Conservative DAVID Davies was a founder member of the anti-Assembly 'Just Say No' campaign in south-east Wales, where there was an overwhelming vote against the Assembly. "Members of other political

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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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How the parties stand across Wales. Aberavon Brian Gibbons (Lab) Alyn and Deeside Brian Gibbons (Lab) Brecon and Radnorshire Kirsty Williams (Lib Dem) Bridgend Carwyn Jones (Lab) Caernarfon Alun Jones (Plaid) Caerphilly Jeff Cuthbert (Lab) Cardiff Central

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One-stop unit will ease the stress for families

EIGHT-year-old Sophie Hennah is, by any definition of the term, a battler - and she has had to be. Severe disablement and a string of serious health problems mean she has spent much of her life in hospitals and clinics. That she has reached eight years

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Pupils in the party spirit raise funds

CHILDREN are at the heart of our Sparkle Appeal - and youngsters at Croesyceiliog Comprehensive, got into the party spirit to raise money. Year Seven pupils at the school took the opportunity to raise funds as they enjoyed themselves at their annual Christmas

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07.10.03 Springboks could KO England hopes

SOUTH Africa hold the key to the World Cup. They can affect the destiny of the trophy at the end of the six-week extravaganza which gets under way here on Friday. The Springboks won't win the World Cup and they won't make the final on November 22 either

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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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Explosive Macc won't hold back

IT SHOULD all be over pretty quickly again tonight when Swansea cruiserweight Enzo Maccarinelli makes the sixth defence of his WBU world title against American Rich LaMont-agne at Bridgend leisure centre. The 24-year-old Welshman's fights have the habit

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Firms gather to raise cash

A SPARKLING idea will help raise money for the Sparkle Appeal in aid of a new centre for disabled children. This weekend sees the first Ladies Day organised by two members of the Newport and Gwent Business Women's Network - and money raised will go towards

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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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Editor's soaking brings in cash

STAFF at the Argus had a splashing time yesterday to raise money for our Sparkle Appeal. Workers were queueing around the building to get their own back on managers by throwing wet sponges at them to raise money for our appeal. Argus editor Gerry Keighley

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Paratoi am Arlwy o Yrfa

Drwy gydol ei arddegau, yr oedd Tom Thrush, bachgen 17 mlwydd oed o'r Blaenau, wedi wynebu trafferthion difrifol, a arweiniodd at iddo fod yn ddigartref. Fe droes at Gyrfa Cymru Gwent am gyngor ynglyn 'i ddyfodol ac mewn ond deuddeng mis, y mae Tom, sy'n

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Merchant sailors fly the flag

THE men who sailed under the Red Ensign have given their support to Newport's bid for city status. After a meeting of the Newport (Gwent) Branch of the Merchant Navy Association, Mr Bertram Bale, branch chairman and national vice-president, said: "Backing

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Cwmbran

Cwmbran, Wales' first new town, has grown into 'a Welsh new town success story'. Over 50 years it has developed into one of the largest pedestrianised shopping centres in South Wales. With a population in excess of 47,000, it is the biggest centre of

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What is Meningitis?

Bacteria and viruses are not the only cause of Meningitis, but are the main causes in the UK. Any germ is capable of causing Meningitis. Viral Meningitis is more common than the bacterial form but generally less serious, although it can be debilibating

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31.10.03 Lucky Omen?

BRENT Cockbain has twice played against the All Blacks - and been on the winning side on both occasions. That's more than any of the Wales squad have achieved, and he's hoping that will prove a lucky omen for the Welsh team which goes into Sunday's full-on

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A place to relax and enjoy

Sabatino's Restaurant Clarence House, Clarence Place, Newport Tel: 01633 250555 Having previously enjoyed Sabatino's Restaurant during the festive season, it was refreshing to be welcomed into the calm and relaxed atmosphere of a normal Friday evening

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Major stores in Sunday opening

A STEP in the long walk to city status is being taken by Newport's shop-owners. Sunday shopping starts in earnest this weekend with more than 20 of the town's major stores throwing open their doors. And there will be free parking in some of the town's

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16.10.30 We have to be firefighters

Iestyn Thomas, the former Pontypool and Ebbw Vale loose head prop now with Llanelli, has declared: "We have got to meet fire with fire" as Wales prepare to meet Tonga on Sunday. Thomas follows in the footsteps of the Pontypool front row and lives on the

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Automotive Firm Drives Up Skills

New learning opportunities are opening up for employees at the Tenneco Automotives factory in Tafarnaubach, Tredegar thanks to the training advice the company received from Careers Wales Gwent. The factory, which assembles parts for the automotive industry

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It's a blinding deal!

PAUL Lindsay has been in the Vale for more than 15 years and established in the window blind industry for more than 30 years. Surprisingly, some people are unaware that his specialist skills are on their doorsteps and service is assured! Paul offers free

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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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Barry waterfront spectacular

Mike Rees of joint marketing agents, Chesterton, said: "From our feedback, it's clear that Waterfront Barry is very popular with developers and prospective house-buyers alike who want to benefit from a cosmopolitan lifestyle at an accessible price. Although

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Lynne yn Dechrau Pennod Newydd

Wnaeth Lynne Taylor o Bettws dderbyn colli'i swydd yn wirfoddol mewn swyddfa gyda chynhyrchydd dur Cymreig blaenllaw dair blynedd yn l. hithau wedi gweithio yn y diwydiant dur am bedair blynedd ar hugain, yr oedd Lynne, 44, yn benderfynol o ganfod galwedigaeth

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31.10.03 Red card for NZ referee

NEW Zealand referee Steve Walsh has been handed a one-match ban by World Cup chiefs following an altercation with a member of England's management team. The suspension began this afternoon, Australian time, and will expire on Monday morning. Walsh, one

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Origins explained

THE ORIGIN OF SATURDAY WEDDINGS In early times, for Christians, Sunday was the original day of choice for weddings because it was not a work day. The Puritan revolution in England during the 17th century changed all that - because the Puritans thought

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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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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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The path to city status

GARETH PRICE looks back through the archives to track the story of Newport's bid to become a city. December 18, 2000 Disappointment clouds the town as Newport's previous millennium bid for city status fails. The announcement triggered the start of the

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From the practical to the funny

THERE are no hard and fast rules governing what you should ask for when putting together your wedding gift list. Anything can be added, from the practical to the funny, old or new, valuable or cheap. Obviously, your personal situation will affect the

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Cooking Up A Career

Throughout his teens, 17-year-old Tom Thrush from Blaina had faced some serious personal problems, which found him homeless. He turned to Careers Wales Gwent for advice about his future and in just 12 months, Tom who is dyslexic, has turned his life around

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The lowdown on who the MEPs back

THE people of Newport may have felt disappointed by claims that Welsh Euro MPs are all backing Wrexham's bid for city status. What about our MEPs, you ask? Aren't they, like the South Wales Argus, backing Newport's bid? Well, if you delve a little deeper

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What you think of the Assembly Alan Hudson, 69, Caldicot Way, Cwmbran: 'I don't think the Assembly is doing anything for Torfaen. As far as I can see they have done nothing. I can't see the point of the Assembly. I think it's just a white elephant.' Betty

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10.11.03 Well done Wales, says Oz ace Campo

AUSTRALIAN rugby legend David Campese has paid tribute to Wales after their stirring efforts against New Zealand and England in successive weeks, writes Robin Davey. Wales lost both games, but scored seven tries in the two matches to shock the two top

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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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Nothing succeeds like excess!

SOME readers may recall the time when the fine building housing Spice Merchant, a relatively new Indian restaurant, was the Big Windsor club, a live music institution when Cardiff Bay was simply the Docks. Like the Bay, the building has been thoroughly

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Sky's the limit in our city bid

IT'S the kind of advertising you just couldn't buy. As Newport County prepare to face Blackpool in an FA Cup battle next Wednesday, both the team and town will have a prime-time TV slot. And for those backing Newport's bid to gain city status, the timing

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16.10.03 Kirwan so calm amid the chaos

THERE is nothing quite like an Italian Press conference for chaos and last night didn't disappoint. In fact, it descended into the utter bedlam I had predicted to a colleague, with Press assembled from all over the world, the language problem and the

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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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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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Beds that you dream about

THE BED Company Wales has added the Vasco Elastic Memory Foam range of beds to its already extensive range of hand-built, quality beds. It is true to say this is a genuine, no turn mattress: buyers should beware of claims that traditional mattresses are

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Sir Anthony adds bite to city drive

NEWPORT'S bid to become a city has been given extra bite after securing the support of Silence of the Lambs star Sir Anthony Hopkins. The former pupil at Pontypool's West Mon Comprehensive School and Caerleon resident has been a US citizen since 2000,

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Designed especially for children

THE new children's centre will provide extensive facilities under one roof. Currently there is no single facility that can support the co-ordinated range of assessments, therapies, support and advice services that children with disabilities and their

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MBK freedom, fun, fresh and exciting

THERE'S no doubt that 2004 is a big year for MBK and a big year for scooters in general with more people finding their way to real independence and a whole world of fun on two wheels. With new riders from all age groups taking to scooters to get around

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16.10.03 Hansen wields the axe

WELSH coach Steve Hansen has made sweeping changes for Wales' second World Cup clash with Tonga at Canberra Stadium on Sunday. Iestyn Harris, Gareth Thomas and Martyn Williams, all influential figures, are omitted from the line-up as only five players

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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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Day for real bright sparks!

IT was the perfect excuse to get dressed up and shine - and the Sparkle Appeal is set to benefit! Hundreds of schoolchildren and staff from businesses and other org-anisations paid their one pounds yesterday to celebrate Sparkle Day and support the appeal

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Complete package

ALLOW US to manage the complete wedding package for you at Llancaiach Fawr, Nelson, in the county borough of Caerphilly. We are licensed for civil wedding ceremonies in our modern banqueting hall, situated in the Visitor Centre. We cater for up to 70

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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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24.10.03 All or nothing

Canberra in October can't possibly be a replica of Rome in February or it will be the blackest day in Welsh rugby history tomorrow. There have been a few dark days in the past decade. Defeat by Western Samoa, record hidings at the hands of Australia,

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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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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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Our appeal hasn't lost any sparkle

THERE are 81,000 reasons for fundraisers for our Sparkle Appeal to smile. Because Argus readers have raised £81,000 for the appeal which aims to help a new centre for disabled children at High Cross, Newport. We launched the Sparkle Appeal last December

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Blaenau Gwent - fact file

* Size of constituency: 109 sq km * Population: 70,064 * Electorate: 53,296 * Unemployed: 2,315 * Major Towns: Abertillery, Ebbw Vale, Tredegar. * Welsh speakers: 2.6 per cent CANDIDATES: Conservative - Barrie O'Keefe; Labour and Co-operative - Peter

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Cemetery is 'neglected'

MONMOUTH Cemetery is in desperate need of tidying up and updating, a report says. The report to the Central Monmouthshire Area Committee found that in its current condition, the cemetery is not a place where the bereaved can find comfort in grief or remembrance

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2003/2004 Factfile

17,617 young people received careers information packs (target 17,617) 1,725 group sessions for young people were held (target 1,530) 17,119 careers guidance interviews with young people were held (target 15,900), 14,509 of them culminating in a career

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Riverdance to Riverfront

RENOWNED Irish choral group Anna - 'the original voices of Riverdance' - bring their haunting sound to The Riverfront in Newport next month on the only Welsh date of their 2005 World Tour. Dublin-born composer Michael McGlynn founded the group back in

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Chepstow

Chepstow (Cas-Gwent) is the first Welsh town on the main road into Wales; and as such is a gateway town to Wales. Chepstow means 'market place' or 'ceap stowe' in old English. A fortified town, much of the town's walls remain, notably, the 13th century

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21.10.03 The Australians are falling out - over England.

England took a mauling in the Aussie media after the Poms beat South Africa ONLY 25-6, with headlines like 'Is That All You've Got' alongside a photo of Johnny Wilkinson. Now key men in the Wallabies' camp are disagreeing. Skipper George Gregan questioned

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Varied season booked for town theatre

THE Abertillery Community Theatre is proud to present another great season of entertainment and activity, with acts ranging from family entertainment such as Lets have Dragon for Dinner (February 14) and The Gingerbread Bear (April 3) to dance, workshop

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23.10.03 My fantastic year

ONLY a few months ago Brent Cockbain, the Australian born and bred lock, was contemplating nothing more than a season with the newly-formed Celtic Warriors and settling further in Wales with his Welsh wife and new baby boy. But his world was to turn upside

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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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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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17.11.03 Holy Grail in sight

ENGLAND will play defending champions and host nation Australia in the World Cup final at Telstra Stadium next Saturday after Jonny Wilkinson's mighty left boot struck gold yesterday. Wilkinson kicked all of England's points - five penalties and three

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Artist will help you reach for the stars in your room

SLEEPING under the stars can be romantic, exciting, fun, relaxing and inspirational but with British weather as unpredictable as it is, us Welsh folk rarely get the chance. But what if you can make this happen every night for the rest of your life? This

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Golden opportunity for Maria

When 17 year old Maria Fletcher from Monmouth left school earlier this year she was unsure about where her future would take her. Now, only a few months later, the former Monmouth school pupil is attending a full time course at Crosskeys College and is

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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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What you think of the Assembly Mary Ann O'Higgins, 50, of Abergavenny: 'I think the National Assembly is a good thing but it can lose its way a little bit. I think if it had more powers then we would get a higher calibre of person wanting to get involved

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Meet your candidates: Blaenau Gwent

THE Blaenau Gwent constituency candidates are: Roger Thomas, UK Independence Party I AM 39-years-old, have been married for 12 years and have two children. I have worked in the rail industry for the past 18 years and I am a member of the RMT Union. Six

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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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Newport players back city bid

PLAYERS from Newport Rugby Club have given their full backing to the town's bid for city status. The team's success is particularly important to the bid, which was launched at their home ground of Rodney Parade in September. Promoting Newport as a sporting

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Help us help kids like her

REBECCA Maggs is a little girl who is part of a big dream - and we want you, our readers, to help make it come true. The Newport seven-year-old is among 1,200 disabled children across south Gwent whose lives are made all the harder for want of a modern

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The happy home-seller

JOB satisfaction is one thing - loving your job is another, and Elaine Greaves does! Having worked for Westbury, one of the leading house builders in Wales and the UK for 20 years, she is one of the longest-standing members of its Welsh team, and would

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Weekend with spirit

THERE'S plenty to get the whole family in the Halloween spirit this weekend. At Tredegar House in Newport, one of the most haunted sites in Wales, the real-life ghosts and ghouls are coming out to play. With reports of a ghost in the grounds, parades

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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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03.11.03 Pooler legends in Oz

THE Pontypool front row is alive and living in Australia, a suburb of Sydney, in fact, and I've seen them for myself. Not the real thing, of course, but in the shape of a large grog which adorns the home of former Pontypool wing Keith Masters, who was

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Behind the scenes

The whole idea came about as a result of the wonderful weekend of entertainment put on by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's Barry station, which in 2001 celebrated 100 years of saving lives along the Vale of Glamorgan coast. Over the space of

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Results for Blaenau Gwent County Borough.

(Winners in bold type): Abertillery: Stephen Bard, Lib Dem 670 Ian Cole, Lib Dem 366 Nigel Daniels, Lab 940 Richard Jones, Ind 319 Robert Phillips, Lab 590 Royston Welch, Lab 640 Badminton: David Edwards, Lab 587 Clive Meredith, Ind 631 Bernard Price,

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The biggest icon of the modern Wales - the Millennium Stadium

The Millennium Stadium may only be five years old, but it has been the catalyst for a huge explosion in the awareness of Wales around the globe and in the economy of Cardiff. Events like the Rugby World Cup final, the FA Cup final, the Challenge Cup final

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Newport

Declared a city during the Queen's Jubilee year, 2001, Newport is Wales' third largest settlement. Newport owed much of its prosperity to its docks at the mouth of the Usk and steel industries. However, with its decline in importance as a port, Newport

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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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Things begin to sparkle

YOU'VE taken the Sparkle Appeal to your hearts. The bid to raise £250,000 towards a £6m children's centre for disabled children is proving so popular with local people that more fundraising packs are needed. The Argus launched the appeal in December,

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Wales has it all - a holiday to suit every taste and activity

The surroundings you choose for your family holiday or day out can make all the difference between a harmonious happy home and a fraught family feud. You will know from your own brood the more tastes, interests and age groups among them the harder it

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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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Payback time 17.06.04

Wales coach Mike Ruddock has urged his players to take a leaf out of Lawrence Dallaglio's book of rugby wisdom as they go in search of revenge against Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday. In the wake of Wasps' home Heineken Cup pool match defeat to

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Cyngor gyrfaoedd cyntaf y byd ar-lein

Gyrfa Cymru Ar-lein (www.careerswales.com) yw rhith wasanaeth gwybodaeth, cyngor ac arweiniad gyrfaoedd dwyieithog pob-oedran cyntaf y byd. "Hwn yw'r gwasanaeth cyntaf o'i fath yn y byd," meddai Rheinallt Jones, Rheolydd Prosiect Gyrfa Cymru Ar-lein.

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Dream style to be reality

THERE is a new look in town - and it's called Legally Blondes. The latest salon opened its doors to the public on Tuesday, June 1. Run by manager Kim Owen, she is assisted by her senior stylist Lisa Williams and junior stylist Aimee Sims, bringing clients

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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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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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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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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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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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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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Punters back city status bid

HUNDREDS of Newport bingo players added their names to the town's city status bid petition when campaigners visited Castle Bingo. Flags, posters and announcements throughout the night reminded punters to add their name to the growing list of supporters

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Meet your candidates: Torfaen

THE Torfaen constituency candidates are: Mike German, Welsh Liberal Democrat Welsh Liberal Democrats seek to offer opportunity, tackle poverty and develop community. This is our commitment to Wales. Labour's 18 months of minority control in the Assembly

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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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27.10.03 Nice and three-sy does it for our boys!

THE day of destiny arrived, and Wales passed the test, salvaging some much-needed rugby pride with a three-tries-to-nil victory over Italy at a packed, vibrant Canberra Stadium on Saturday. It was only the first stage of a much wider examination, but

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22.10.03 Ready for the call!

CHRIS Wyatt is taking it on the chin as he waits for his chance to start a game in the World Cup. Wyatt, the Llanelli lock born in Newport and still living there, was a last minute replacement when Dragons counterpart Michael Owen withdrew because of

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Lynne Starts a New Chapter

Lynne Taylor from Bettws accepted voluntary redundancy from her office job at a leading Welsh steel manufacturer 3 years ago. Having worked in the steel industry for 24 years, Lynne 44, was determined to find an occupation that would bring her job satisfaction

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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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Torfaen - Assembly in doghouse

The constituency of Torfaen includes some of the most impoverished areas in Wales. As CERI HILLIER discovered, many residents feel that more is needed from the Assembly if the situation is to improve THE contrasts in Torfaen may seem clearly defined.

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Every little bit helps

THE SOUTH Gwent children's centre will be like nothing else in this area. It will seek to improve the lives of hundreds of disabled children, bringing together a unique combination of health, education and social services under one roof for the children

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Big on quality and quantity

THE Dorallt Inn has recently had an extension to both the building and the menu. A new non-smoking seating area has transformed the Dorallt from a pub that serves food to a restaurant with a bar. The food is still of the variety you would expect to find

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Lord Mayor coy about our city bid

AS Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Russell Goodway (pictured) is spearheading his city's bid to become a European Capital of Culture. But when it comes to backing his neighbour's bid for city status, Russell Goodway isn't so sure how he feels. Cardiff is seeking

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Cwmni cerbydau yn gyrru sgiliau i fyny

Y mae cyfleoedd dysgu newydd yn cyniwair ar gyfer gweithwyr yn ffatri Tenneco Automotives yn Nhafarnaubach, Tredegar, diolch i'r cyngor hyfforddiant y derbyniodd y cwmni oddi wrth Gyrfa Cymru Gwent. Y mae'r ffatri, sy'n cydosod cydrannau ar gyfer y diwydiant

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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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This year's regional candidates

Complete listing of this year's candidates. BNP * Pauline Gregory Conservative * David Davies * William Graham * Laura Anne Jones * Nicholas Ramsay * John Prosser * Barrie O'Keefe * Terri Anne Matthews * Matthew Evans Green * Peter Varley * Ann Were *

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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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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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07.10.03 Wales fire Canada broadside

WALES are sending Canada a 20-minute warning ahead of their World Cup opener in Melbourne on Sunday. Wales' team manager Alan Phillips says the squad are fit and ready, and raring to go after welcoming the bulk of the Welsh media in glorious weather at

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Get your day off to a good start

ON average we spend 3,285 hours a year in the bedroom. That's the equivalent of 140 days. Of course, we're asleep for most of that time - but one thing is for certain: All 365 days of the year begin in the bedroom. Scientists now say that sleep is as

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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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Perk up the Bathroom

IF you want to make sure that your bathroom's in ship-shape condition what better way to do this than with a new bathroom basin? A relatively quick and straightforward job to complete, this addition can give a brighter, smarter look to your room. There

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Children step out to raise funds

TWO pupils from Newport walked the length of the old Severn Bridge to raise money for the Argus Sparkle Appeal. Seven-year-old Lauren Probert and nine-year-old Lewis Bailey, of Alway Primary School, braved blustery conditions to cover the mile-long crossing

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Bike dealer has bike taken - by the police

DENBIGH-BASED Kawasaki dealership, A & D Motorcycles is playing its part to promote road safety awareness in North Wales by lending a new Kawasaki Z750 to the North Wales Police BikeSafe campaign that has been organised with the help and guidance

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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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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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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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Hopes for one-stop centre

THE premise of the Sparkle Appeal is simple but ambitious - to raise £6m to build and equip a one-stop centre for more than 1200 disabled children in Newport, Torfaen and south Monmouthshire. The need for it has been recognised by healthcare experts and

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Behind the scenes

Barry's Waterfront Festival is the flagship event for the town and is one that grows in popularity every year. Now on its third time around, the festival has grown from 7,000 visitors at its inaugural event to 14,000 people in 2003. The Vale of Glamorgan

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Fame's name of the game

"FAME - I'm going to live forever!" It brings back such memories of Alan Parker's film and the enormously successful television series from the 1980s. Now Fame - The Musical is the smash hit dance explosion that has delighted more than 3.5 million people

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15.10.03 Taylor - made

MARK Taylor thought his career was over a year ago. The former Pontypool centre, who is joining Llanelli after a long spell with Swansea, badly damaged knee ligaments on the British Lions tour of Australia and his career was in jeopardy. Now the Blaenavon-raised

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Torfaen - fact file

* Size of constituency: 118 sq km * Population: 90,949 * Electorate: 61,083 * Unemployed: 2,205 * Major towns: Blaenavon, Cwmbran, Pontypool. * Welsh Speakers: 2.7 per cent CANDIDATES: Conservative - Nicholas Ramsay; Labour - Lynne Neagle; Liberal Democrat

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Appeal gets £5,000 boost

OUR Sparkle Appeal is off to a flying start, with money and support already starting to arrive. And now the bid to raise £250,000 towards a new £6m centre for disabled children has received a wonderful boost - a £5,000 donation from Monmouthshire Free-masons

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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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Abergavenny

Abergavenny today is perhaps most famous for its markets. Each Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, the retail market is held in the centre of town. The spacious 19th century Market Hall is used for a variety of markets, craft fairs and antique and collector's

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A special place for a special day

The Memorial Hall Theatre's bespoke facilities regularly accommodate a variety of weddings, ceremonies and parties. The venue is licensed to host civil weddings for the lucky couple or up to 500 guests. Many couples consider the Memorial Hall Theatre

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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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What you think of the Assembly STEPHEN GRIFFITHS, aged 44, from Rogerstone, said: 'To be honest I'm happy to be governed from London, and I don't think I'll vote this time. But I have noticed that Labour is planning to bring in free NHS prescriptions

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Going back in time

PUPILS from a Newport school took a step back in time when they dressed in Victorian costume to help launch a new local history pack for schools. The pack, believed to be one of the first of its kind in Wales, is being piloted at St Joseph's RC Primary

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Have fun and go fishing

What is the attraction in fishing? Why is it that over three million people actually participate in this noble pastime, which is also one of the fastest growing sports today? Perhaps it is the challenge of catching a fish, whether it is for the table

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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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Special channel island

THE landmark island of Flat Holm, just ten miles from Newport, lying in the middle of the Bristol Channel, offers visitors the chance to get close to one of our most diverse habitats. The island was declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest 30 years

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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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Get answers to big questions

HE'S done it, asked you the Big One. Will you marry him? You've thought about it for maybe a whole five seconds but before you give him the thumbs up, run these questions by him it's better to be safe than sorry. You love him, he's kind to animals and

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10.11.03 All credit to Wales in defeat

Wales 17 England 28 T0 Wales the glory, to England the victory on a night of World Cup quarter-final drama in Brisbane. For the second week in a row, Wales went desperately close to knocking out one of the leading two nations in world rugby only to fall

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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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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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Make a difference

THE Argus-backed Sparkle Appeal is set to build a high profile during 2004, with a series of events being organised throughout the year. Charity balls, concerts, sponsored walks, fun days, even a film premiere, are among the fundraising possibilities

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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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07.11.03 Our job's not over - Jones

WALES will not be content with what they have achieved so far, insists winger Mark Jones, who has been one of the successes of the World Cup so far, writes Robin Davey. Some fear Wales shot their bolt against the All Blacks and will not be able to reproduce

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Now Westminster will decide town's case

NEWPORT'S case to become the new Welsh city is being taken to Westmin-ster tomorrow. At a reception, co-hosted by Newport MPs Paul Flynn and Alan Howarth, the town's case to be awarded city status in the Queen's Golden Jubilee year will be outlined. MPs

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Karting for all ages

FOR A full-on, breath-taking experience, you have to take on the South Wales Karting track. With 850m of pure adrenaline on their outdoor circuit, it's Wales' only fully floodlit track, and is fully licensed to hold MSA licensed events. And there is no

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Owen blow 25.06.04

NEWPORT Gwent Dragons forward Michael Owen is set to pull out of the Welsh team for tomorrow's Test against South Africa in Pretoria. Owen was named in the team by Mike Ruddock though he had not been able to train because of muscle spasms in his back.

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07.10.03 Surf's up for Mefin

WALES hooker Mefin Davies has revealed a fresh aid in the ever growing fitness regime - surfing. Davies is a big fan of water sports, and was delighted with two days surfing in the Sydney suburb of Manly when Wales spent a few days there ahead of settling

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Your legal support

J A Hughes have provided a legal service in Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan for well over 100 years now. The firm was founded by John Arthur Hughes who was also the Town Clerk in 1888. Rather unusually, his name has continued to feature on the firm's

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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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Seal in the heat

WARMSEAL Windows a local company based in Penarth was established ten years ago by Penarth resident Bob McKinty. Bob has been in the building industry for 30 years and fully understands clients wishes as to their PVC double glazing needs. Warmseal have

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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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Make sure you're kept in the picture

HAVING made one of the biggest decisions of your lives, you will need to ensure that your wedding is properly photographed, writes ANTONY GOOD. Your occasion may also be one of the few times the whole family is together, often four generations, so wedding

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14.10.03 Harris: 'This is my time'

THE WORLD Cup is my time, says Iestyn Harris after his eye-catching performance in Wales' record equalling 41-10 victory over Canada in Melbourne on Sunday. And Harris insisted again that his future lies in rugby union after rejecting a bid for him to

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Newport West - fact file

* Size of constituency: 96 sq km * Population of city: 137,011 * Electorate in constituency: 60,088 * Unemployed in city: 3,777 * Major cities and towns: Newport, Caerleon. * Welsh Speakers: 2.7 per cent Candidates: Conservative - William Graham; Labour

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Start of an exciting new era

FIRST Minister: Today is a major milestone in Newport's history NEWS that Newport is Wales' newest city was today greeted with pride and delight. Wales' First Minister Rhodri Morgan sent a personal message of congratulations to the city - saying it was

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Islwyn - Labour out to wrest seat from Plaid grip

Islwyn provided one of the biggest shocks of the last National Assembly election. HELEN MORGAN profiles the former mining area The traditional Labour stronghold of Islwyn was considered by many to be a safe seat for the party to win in 1999. So, along

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Top ten tips for perfect summer packing

If you've ever resorted to sitting on your suitcase whilst straining to pull the zip around its bulging girth, you need a holiday take-away solution that'll help lighten the load without lightening your wallet. At McArthurGlen Designer Outlets, you can

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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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03.11.03 Grimes: Let's get physical

Scotland's shattered squad have been given a much-needed lift by Celtic cousins Ireland. After all, the logic goes, if Eddie O'Sullivan's men can push Australia to the brink of defeat, why can't they? The argument does not take too much knocking down,

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Friendly and filling

TRAVELLING to the Waterloo Inn at Nash was quite a journey but after directions from the nearby sailing club we made our way - along with another car behind who had also made the same mistake. For a Friday night the pub wasn't too full but there was a

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20.10.03 The Ex-files

GET your selection right or you will lose the crunch World Cup game against Italy, warns former Wales coach Graham Henry. The man who led Wales to a record equalling 10 wins in a row before falling from grace and resigning has listed a whole series of

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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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Enduring quality and good taste

CHEZ Giovanni is among a handful of top Italian restaurants in Newport with a reputation that has been established over several decades of serving high-quality dishes in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. We visited on a quiet Wednesday night, and started

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Islwyn - fact file

* Size of constituency: 101 sq km * Population: 65,121 * Electorate: 51,455 * Unemployed: 1,119 * Major towns: Blackwood, Newbridge, Risca * Welsh-speakers: 3.9 per cent CANDIDATES: Conservative - Terri Anne Matthews; Labour - Irene James; Liberal Democrat

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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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Monmouth - Fighting the legacy of foot-and-mouth

The constituency of Monmouth was severely affected by 2001's foot-and-mouth outbreak - thousands of animals were culled and tourism was hit hard. HELEN ROBERTS profiles an area where the Assembly has helped tackle the disease's legacy THE constituency

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How it happened...

THE ORIGIN OF THE 'HONEYMOON' After kidnapping his bride, the groom would take her and go into hiding. By the time the bride's family tracked them down them, the bride would probably already be pregnant! A bride price would then be negotiated. An earlier

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29.10.03 Scapegoat!

SCOTLAND coach Ian McGeechan has expressed his disappointment at the outcome of Martin Leslie's appeal hearing in Sydney today even though the back-row forward had his sentence cut by a third. Though the three-man disciplinary panel still found Leslie

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Sharing all their happiness

A GROUP of Newport pensioners have given up their days out to help support our Sparkle Appeal. Residents from Stratford House sheltered accommodation in the Gaer, donated £50 from their social events fund to help children in Newport Torfaen and south

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Meet your candidates: Newport West

The Newport West constituency candidates are: Rosemary Butler, Labour I take pride in the knowledge that the benefits of Labour's ambitious policies for Wales are nowhere more apparent than in this constituency. The massive redundancies at Llanwern had

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Bubbly kids in party spirit

OUR excited Sparkle youngsters were treated to a very special afternoon tea party courtesy of Newport's mayor. Councillor Paul Cockeram entertained some of the children at the heart of our Sparkle Appeal at Newport's Mansion House on Sunday. We launched

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Legions thrill to city bid launch

NEWPORT'S city status bid got off to a flying start on Saturday, with everyone from Romans to rugby fans joining in the fun. The official launch of the bid started off in the town centre, where shoppers and traders were getting into the spirit of the

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Results for Monmouthshire.

Council election results Winners in bold type: Caerwent Peter Butcher, Lib Dem 60 Brian Counsell, Lab 249 Philip Murphy, Con 384 Caldicot Richard Harries, Con 213 Gareth Jenkins, Lab 197 Ronald Stewart, Plaid Cymru 228 Cantref Lawrence Jones, Ind 263

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Percy's progress 24.06.04

Percy Montgomery reckons he is a far better player for his two years in Newport - and Springbok coach Jake White couldn't agree more. The Newport Gwent Dragons full back will take the next step in his international comeback when he lines up for South

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Bright future 28.06.04

Wales coach Mike Ruddock believes that with "a bit of work" his side can challenge the world's best despite having conceded 50 points to South Africa in their one-off Test on Saturday. Ruddock is beginning the post-mortem of a tour which included defeats

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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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Countryside to city, it's time to decide

As the Assembly elections draw near, we have profiled local constituency areas, assessing the achievements and failures,and asking people's views. Our final profile is the South Wales East electoral region. IN ADDITION to voting for a candidate to represent

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The World's First Careers Advice Online

Careers Wales Online (www.careerswales.com) is the world's first all-age, bilingual virtual careers information, advice and guidance service. The online service offers a comprehensive list of education, training and job opportunities for school and college

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Piaggio's show of colours

PIAGGIO, the UK's number one scooter manufacturer, has created a special one-off Euro NRG 2004 scooter in England colours, entering into the spirit of this summer's European Championships in Portugal. The Piaggio NRG is emblazoned with the red and white

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21.10.03 Wales boosted as Italy struggle

WALES were given great heart for their vital Pool D clash with Italy on Saturday after watching the Azzurri struggle to a 19-14 victory today over a Canadian side demolished by Steve Hansen's team in their opening World Cup match. Welsh flags were flying

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21.10.03 Revenge bid

IT'S showdown time, admits Wales full-back Rhys Williams ahead of Saturday's huge World Cup Pool D clash with Italy at Canberra Stadium. 'We wouldn't expect anything else, we have got to target it and we have got to win three out of four games,' said

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It's all happening at Coleg Gwent

COLLEGES can now offer broader and more flexible ways to study so that there is something to suit everyone. At some larger colleges such as Coleg Gwent, this includes subjects at higher education level such as HNCs, HNDs and Foundation Degrees. Many of

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You can change kids' lives

DR Sabine Maguire, formerly a consultant paediatrican at the Royal Gwent Hospital, spent years dealing with some of area's most disabled youngsters. A trustee of the South Gwent Children's Foundation, the charity behind the Sparkle Appeal project, here

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All set for a breathtaking waterfront adventure

BARRY'S fantastic Waterfront Weekender is all set to be enjoyed by thousands of visitors as entertainment fills the streets. As official media sponsor the Barry and District News spoke to two young people who will be looking forward to it more than most

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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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A solid grounding in floor coverings

Creative Flooring offers a vast amount of experience and knowledge within the flooring industry. At its showroom located in High Street, Barry, the company has a complete range of floor coverings, from rustic solid oaks through to natural-fibred carpets

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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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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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Twinny in the city

TWO versions for the evergreen Nevada - the "Base" and the "Club" with the same standards of comfort and handling which enable the concept of "easy riding" to be transferred within the confines of the city. Down the years, technology and design have sculpted