Archive
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Win keeps Blues on course for quarters
Blues 23 Harlequins 12 Cardiff Blues stayed firmly on course for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals last night, after subduing Harlequins' spirited resistance at a windswept Arms Park. The Blues will win Pool Three if they topple Memorial Stadium hosts
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Girl cut from crashed car
A TEN-year-old girl had to be cut from a car after a two-vehicle collision on Malpas Road, Newport, this evening. Three ambulances, along with fire crews from Cwmbran and Malpas, were called after the collision between a private car and a commercial
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Newport car sales jobs "safe" says boss
THIRTY jobs at a Newport car dealership are safe, claims its director, despite the collapse of its parent company. Tony Lippe, manager of Caledonia Newport Citroën, claims the company is close to securing a deal with a new owner that will secure all
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Man cleared of attacking girlfriend
A GWENT man was found not guilty of an attack on his ex-girlfriend which left her with a broken arm. Jamie Blanchard, 30, of Greenmeadow Terrace, Abertillery, was cleared of charges of GBH with intent, GBH, theft, and taking a vehicle without permission
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Croesy and Llanwern hope to beat the rain
WITH the inclement weather continuing, almost all of tomorrow's local football programmeinvolving Gwent-based clubswill be subject to pitch inspections. They'll hope for better news at Woodland Road where Croesyceiliog's home Nathaniel League Cup tie
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Elliott hinting at Glamorgan return
AUSTRALIAN batsman Matthew Elliott has offered his services to struggling Glamorgan this summer but is still waiting for the green light to be the side's 2008 overseas player. The prolific left-hander is planning to hang up his first-class boots in Australia
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Brennan wary of Flower power
VICTORY against Blackwood last weekend ensured Pontypool remain in a strong position at the head of the table but there are plenty of warnings about complacency as they enter a crucial period of their promotion campaign. It's top against bottom when
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Rail flooded after burst culvert
TRAIN passengers have been warned to expect delays after a culvert in Magor burst this afternoon. The culvert burst at around 2.15pm and initally all four lines in the area were under water. Two of the lines were cleared by 3.45pm but trains were restricted
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Teen set fire to hostel room
A TEENAGER deliberately set fire to her bedroom in a care hostel and fled the scene with her pet hamster because she didn't want it to die in the blaze. The 16-year-old was found guilty of arson and being reckless as to whether life would be endangered
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Bowd return boosts title-chasing Vale
EBBW Vale will be looking for a big performance from inspirational skipper John Bowd when he returns from illness against Bridgend. The back rower missed last weekend's win over Maesteg after being laid up with a virus but he returns to the fold at the
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COUNTY V TORQUAY - Latest news on state of pitch
NEWPORT County's FA Trophy clash with Torquay United is subject to a 9am pitch inspection tomorrow morning. Heavy rain today has put the fixture in doubt, however, County officials are still hopeful the clash will go ahead. Supporters are urged not
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TRAFFIC NEWS: M48 closed at Magor
REPORTS are coming in that the M48 has been closed at Magor due to flooding. Are you affected by the flooding? Let us know via the link below or call 01633 777226.
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Send us your flooding pictures
HAVE you been affected by the flooding across Gwent? Send us your pictures either by phone on 80360 with the message ARGUS NEWS or via the link below.
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Man fined £80 for buying booze for 14-year-old
A MAN who bought eight bottles of lager and a bottle of vodka for a 14-year-old boy in Newport was fined this week. Alway police issued the 50-year-old man with an £80 fixed penalty notice after he was found to have supplied the teenager with booze
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Newport down to the bare bones
THE true strength of the Newport squad will be tested this weekend after Newport Gwent Dragons' injury worries had a knock-on effect on the Black and Ambers. The region have 15 players out of contention for their Heineken Cup clash with London Irish
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Choir seeks director
A GWENT choir is issuing an urgent recruitment call for a new musical director after the sad loss of their founder over the Christmas period. As reported Eileen Bosoustow of the Abersychan-based Apollo singers died on December 20. The female choir
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Lotto cash for Torfaen groups
FIVE community groups in Torfaen are set to receive a share of nearly £10,000 in lottery cash. The grant will benefit OAPs' associations in Talywain and Sebastopol, with money also being awarded to residents' groups in Tynewydd House and Riverside
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Monmouth could be plastic-free
A MONMOUTHSHIRE town is aiming to join Newport in becoming the first plastic bag-free zones in South East Wales. Green activists in Monmouth are urging shoppers to stop accepting free plastic bags and start carrying re-usable cloth ones instead.
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Keys aiming for hat trick of wins
BOTH sides will be looking to claim a hat trick when Cross Keys head to Bedwas tomorrow afternoon, though the visitors will have to end something of a dry run if they are to do so. Sixth-placed Keys have been in impressive form this season and look like
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Beadle: I’m paid to make tough calls
PETER Beadle admits he can't please all of his supporters all of the time, but he's backing County's faithful fans to roar them to victory in tomorrow's FA Trophy round two clash with Conference high-flyers Torquay United (kick-off 3pm). Beadle is hopeful
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Off-road menace
Six Villages - Brynawel, Cwmfelinfach, Wattsville, Wyllie, Ynysddu and Gelli Groes. Are you celebrating your wedding, anniversary, exam results, or organising an event or a social evening? If so, why not give me a call? I would love to include it
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Chance to pay tribute
Service for Chris: Your correspondent has been requested to announce that a former resident of Cwmcarn, Christopher John Hillier (1933-2006) will be remembered in a service to give thanks for his life at Bethesda Christian Centre, Rogerstone, on Saturday
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Get involved in your community
HAPPY NEW YEAR: As this is my first news column of 2008, may I start this week by wishing all the Grassroots readers a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. I really don't know where 2007 went, I hope the pace of 2008 is a little slower - or is
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Clapton tribute set for Abergavenny
ERIC Clapton clone Mike Hall and his four-piece band have been hailed as the world's No 1 tribute band to old Slow Hand. Following the success of last year's show at Abergavenny's Borough Theatre, they return next month for a one-night performance.
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Couple make county's greenest pub
AN eco friendly couple are doing their bit for the environment by opening an eco-pub in Monmouthshire. Sion Driscoll, 32, originally from Tredegar and his wife Jessica, 30 quit their jobs as teachers in Hereford and bought the Navigation in Gilwern
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MySpace Sandi comes to Glee Club
SHE first came to the public eye in May 2006 when her hugely annoying / catchy (* delete as appropriate) I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers In My Hair) became a smash UK No 1 hit. Sandi Thom then followed this up with a 700,000-selling debut
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JOE CALZAGHE SAYS: The date is set
TODAY I want to tell Argus readers about what is really happening in the negotiations with Bernard Hopkins' management. Speculation has been going on since pretty much the day after I beat Dane Mikkel Kessler to unify the super middleweight division.
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ARGUS COMMENT: New ball game
WARREN Gatland's warning to Wales rugby players to stay in Wales if they want to play for their country is an idea forged in his home country of New Zealand. It is also an idea which will have as many detractors as it does supporters. There are
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Retailer teams up with training firm
Leading UK value retailer Matalan has teamed up with Newport-based recruitment and training company Acorn to roll-out a store-wide training initiative. Acorn, which is a specialist provider to the retail industry, has been appointed to lead the training
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Bread pudding proves a massive draw
AN ancient recipe for bread pudding has become so addictive to many of its Gwent devotees that The Sugar Bowl restaurant, on the second floor of George Street Furnishers, in Newport, sees regulars' popping in for a slice of what has been claimed is the
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Entrepreneur gives advice to new businessman
Founder of Newport-based JoJo Maman Bébé, Laura Tenison is giving hands-on advice to an up-and-coming young entrepreneur, 26-year-old James Taylor of SportStars. James, who recently won the Natwest Startups Business of the Year impressed Laura with
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Four-legged fashion comes to town
These days it's not just Beverley Hills where pets are pampered - the trend has now taken hold in the Gwent valleys. Jazzy Dogs has been launched to cater for canines who like to look their best, and demand is so strong that Helen Jarrett is considering
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Student snappers' long trek to college
TWO students travel thousands of miles and spend hundreds of pounds to study at Newport's world-renowned documentary film course. American Gina Brocker, 25, and Croatian Dragana Jurisic, 32, both live in Ireland and are enrolled on the University of
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Icing on cake as course is named the tops
Newport's Celtic Manor Resort, home to the 2010 Ryder Cup, has been voted 2007 Welsh golf course of the year by readers of Golf Punk magazine. Just five months after opening its new Twenty Ten course, Celtic Manor picked up the top honour in awards
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What 2008 could have in store
Nearly three quarters of UK companies believe that doing business will be more competitive in 2008, according to research from Barclays Commercial Bank. But, while the research found that the market environment would be challenging this year, overall
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Irish won’t take Dragons lightly
LONDON Irish are over-whelming favourites when they face Newport Gwent Dragons in the Heineken Cup tomorrow (kick-off 1.30pm), but the team have been warned against complacency. The Irish have no injury problems and are expected to be at full strength
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Crisp firm is bought up
Sirhowy Valley Foods, who manufacture designer hand-cooked crisps and vegetable chips at Newport under the Real Crisps brand, have been acquired by the Tayto Group. Northern Ireland-based Tayto is the third biggest crisp brand in the UK, having already
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Firm moves into purpose-built HQ
Whitehead Building Services has moved into its new purpose-built head office in Newport city centre. The move is the latest phase of the company's ambitious growth plans. The building, which was designed, built and financed by Whitehead, was officially
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Steel heads out to sea
Steel from Llanwern has been used in a major North Sea pipeline project. Corus Strip Products UK delivered the high grade strip steels through its sister Tubes business for a 5.25km pipeline for the Apache rig in Forties, Britain's largest North Sea
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Rising through the ranks
Redrow's newest sales manager has been awarded no fewer than three promotions since joining the company and is relishing the challenges of her latest role. After joining Redrow Homes (South Wales) as a sales consultant in June 2004, dedicated Debby
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Appointment to aid growth
Law firm Harding Evans has appointed business marketing graduate Caroline Smith as marketing executive to help accelerate the growth of the Newport-based practice. Caroline, who studied at the University of Wales, Newport, will be responsible for the
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Peter’s celebrates supermarket deal
Peter's Food Services has secured a multi-million pound contract with retail giant, Asda, which will result in more than 30 new jobs and a £650k investment at their South Wales Bakery in readiness for manufacturing to kick start the New Year. The announcement
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Job issues
Staff conduct and discipline were the major issues faced by the owners of smaller firms who contacted the Forum of Private Business over the Christmas period. The number of enquiries related to employee conduct accounted for around 30 per cent of all
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McJob petition
McDonald's Cwmbran's part in the campaign to change the dictionary definition of McJob' gathered more than 500 signatures. The company officially launched a public appeal on behalf of its 67,000 UK employees and their colleagues in the service sector
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Planning manager
Award-winning architects and urban planners Powell Dobson has expanded its Urbanists division with the appointment of a planning manager. Lloyd Jones, 29, from Newport, has seven years experience in planning and design, and joins Powell Dobson Urbanists
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New man at top
International IT products and services company SWORD Group, which has recently opened a base in Cwmbran, has appointed Welshman Heath Davies as joint chief executive officer. Mr Davies takes up his new position alongside Group founder Jacques Mottard,
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Which one are you?
Switched off to environmental issues? Doing your bit with cutting waste but missing where the next opportunity lies? Or perhaps you are totally committed to environmental action in your business? If any of those characters sound familiar, it's not
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General support for One2One and your business
The Wales Co-operative Centre's General Support for Business project has been running for just over a year in south east Wales. Many co-operatives and social enterprises have benefited from having a FREE business health check, followed by specialist support
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Energy cost concern
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is concerned' at the effect of spiralling energy costs on industry and vulnerable customers, according to Downing Street. The premier backed Chancellor Alistair Darling's move to ask for a meeting with regulators Ofgem in
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Firms more gloomy about economy
Firms are more pessimistic about the state of the UK economy than at any time in the past five years, according to a new report. A survey of 200 companies by Lloyds TSB showed that just over half were pessimistic, with only one in three expressing
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A look ahead...
By Steve Theaker, of Peacheys It's at this time of year that we all look expectantly forward to what the New year will bring. Often predictions are made on wheat has happened over the previous 12 months. Since August 2006 the Bank of England has
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Putting park on the map
Kate Methuen, pictured, has been appointed marketing manager at Festival Park, Ebbw Vale. Kate will be responsible for implementing an integrated marketing plan to re-launch the shopping centre, developing brand position and monitoring consumer perception
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Trainee Barrie joins the team
Pontnewydd-based three partner practice, Green and Co Chartered Certified Accountants, has recruited a trainee to join its audit and accounts team. Barrie Kenyan, pictured, who has a BSc in Applied and Pure Mathematics from Cardiff University, has
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Martyn takes up board position
A NEWPORT businessman has been appointed to the board of the UK's largest non-food buying group Associated Independent Stores. Managing director Martyn Sheppard, pictured, heads up George Street Furnishers, a leading department store with branches
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Commercial litigator
Law firm Leo Abse & Cohen has appointed a senior commercial litigation lawyer within its business services department. James Rudall will head up a team to help build and develop the firm's client base across south Wales. He has nine years experience
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Cardiff set for ballroom blitz
JOIN Slade, Mud and T-Rex tribute band T-Rextasy for a night of nostalgia and celebration of 1970s Glam Rock when the Wall of Hits show comes to Cardiff's St David's Hall. Slade will be led by founder members Dave Hill and Don Powell. The Wall of
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New jewel in Crown
Michelin star restaurant, The Crown at Whitebrook, has appointed internationally acclaimed restaurateur David Hennigan as its new general manager. David, who has achieved coveted Michelin star and Bib Gourmand Michelin recognition during his multi
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Sean’s new status
Sean Sullivan, Associated British Ports' head of safety for its five South Wales Ports of Cardiff, Barry, Newport, Swansea and Port Talbot, has been granted chartered status from the Institute of Occupational
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Coming together to help homeless
BUSINESS in Gwent has rallied round to raise much-needed money for the homeless. More than 35 individual businesses supported the charity fundraising scheme organised by serviced office specialists Rombourne Ltd. The Rombourne staff sold mince pies
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Terri takes on a new role
NatWest has announced that Terri Graham has been appointed as the community development manager for Newport and Cardiff areas. This is a new role for the bank, and Terri will work in partnership with new community based businesses such as schools,
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Charlotte’s one of the boys
Apprentice Charlotte Halsey is just one of the boys when it comes to the world of work. Charlotte, 18, of Pontypool, is an apprentice customer service engineer with BT - a role which sees her up a telegraph pole one day and working in a customer's
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Christ College Brecon
Christ College Brecon is hosting a sixth form open evening on Friday, January 18, starting at 7pm. The evening is designed for pupils currently taking GCSEs and will offer an insight into sixth form life at the school. There will be an opportunity for
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St John’s on the Hill
Opportunity is a key word at St John's-on-the-Hill School and Day Nurseries. The wider the experience, the broader the education. With two existing day nurseries in Chepstow, one at the school site in Tutshill and the other within the grounds of Chepstow
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Rougemont School
Rougemont is an HMC co-educational school for pupils from three to 18. Located in 80 acres of grounds, Rougemont offers a strong academic and social grounding with first class teaching, small class sizes and a host of extra curricular activities.
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St Johns College
ESTYN highlighted as outstanding the transition between primary and secondary school where the accelerated programme for children at the end of Key Stage 2 prepares pupils for excellent progress in the early years of their secondary education, and onwards
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Wycliffe has good reason for celebration
In the same year the school celebrates the 125th anniversary of its founding by George W Sibly in 1882, it also opened in September with record numbers of pupils joining both the Preparatory and Senior School. This success is even more notable at a
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Take a 3D trip around the marina
An innovative 3D visualisation tool developed by See3D, will be used to promote the Crindau Marina project in Newport. See3D, based at the University of Aberystwyth, has been commissioned to produce a piece of software which gives a fly-through' experience
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Offices expected to prove popular
A former council office block at the gateway to Rassau Industrial Estate has been re-named Access 465 and is currently undergoing a complete refurbishment scheme. The building which was bought by Latham Properties from Blaenau Gwent Borough Council
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Commercialy speaking
NEWPORT has been riding on the crest of a wave over the past 12-18 months. There is now evidence for all to see that the plans that have been in the pipeline for such a length of time are eventually coming to life and being delivered. Traditionally
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Feet up for chefs as new kitchen arrives
KITCHEN staff at a leading Wales restaurant are anticipating opening arguably the best Christmas present of all later this month - a £125,000 kitchen. In the meantime staff at The Crown at Whitebrook, near Monmouth, put their feet up as the restaurant
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Business failures
UK businesses appear to be riding out the credit crunch, and the impact of a tougher borrowing environment has made little impression on corporate failures, according to industry figures released by Experian.But, while most regions have escaped with a
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Take control of home tech
A Blackwood-based business is hoping to change the way people integrate with their homes and in doing so take control of the home technology market. Controlwise Custom Installations Ltd, based in Pontllanfraith, designs, supplies and installs home
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Get filing
With the January 31 self assessment filing deadline only weeks away, HMRC is urging people to file their returns online and on time. Online filing is safe, secure and convenient and the tax calculation is automatic; you get an immediate acknowledgement
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Winners show they’ve got quality
Businesses and organisations throughout the county have scooped top honours at this year's Wales Quality Awards. Newport-based consumer finance company Picture Financial, which has seen its income soar to more than £100m this year, was named as Overall
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ARGUS COMMENT: Hain has been foolish
THE latest revelations about Welsh secretary Peter Hain show clearly that he has been a fool. By not declaring more than £100,000 in donations to his campaign for the deputy leadership of the Labour Party he has put a black mark on to his record.
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Turner in ‘stay or go’ talks
PAUL Turner faced an important meeting today which will eventually decide whether he stays as Newport Gwent Dragons coach or quits his home region. Turner was set to meet key board members to try to thrash out the way ahead at a preliminary meeting.
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Yankee folkie set for Cardiff
ACCLAIMED US folk singer Devon Sproule is visiting Wales next month with a gig at The Point in Cardiff Bay. At age 25, Sproule lives on the road. Born on a hippy commune making hammocks, she went through school and made her first record and begin touring
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Modest hero set for new award
CHRISTINE James chalks up 20 years in the ambulance service this year - and the milestone may be marked with an award from her bosses. The 41-year-old paramedic, from Blaina, has scooped three community awards since making headlines last June by helping
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New Year - time for a sickie
So we’re all back at it, Christmas and New Year came and went in the blink of an eye and it’s like they never happened. Although you know they did because there’s no money left in the bank account and you have a box set of "Heartbeat" that you’ve told
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New Year - time for a sickie
So we’re all back at it, Christmas and New Year came and went in the blink of an eye and it’s like they never happened. Although you know they did because there’s no money left in the bank account and you have a box set of "Heartbeat" that you’ve told
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Parka and ride
Q Magazine hailed Parka as a must-see live band' and the raucous Scottish indie rockers are coming to play a gig at Cardiff's Barfly venue later this month. This week the band released the manic guitar anthem Disco Dancer on Jeepster Recordings - the
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Emphasis firmly on sport
EVER thought of an ideal hybrid? Whether it's the perfect home, holiday or even partner, picking the strongest elements of each and blending them should result in perfection. Even the most skilled builder or plastic surgeon couldn't pull that off, but
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A lot of bike for the money
Suzuki GB has started 2008 with yet more value busting offers, thanks to a 30-month 0% typical APR finance deal on selected models, combined with the popular minimum £1 deposit deal. Applicable on all new V-Strom 1000s, DR-Z400SM, GS500 and GSR600 models
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Enter the Woodsmen but its no chopper!
ROYAL Enfield has launched the Woodsman 500, a retro trail bike based around the classic Bullet. With its high-level exhaust system, trail style handlebars and solo seat the Woodsman mimics the British trail bikes of the 1950s and 1960s. This classic
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Nothing blue about Ford sales
Ford enters the new year poised to add more new products to a range of exciting new cars and CVs that has already attracted thousands of new customers to the blue oval in 2007. Successful newcomers last year included the Ford Mondeo, the C-MAX Multi-Activity
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32-points checked
SEAT is helping customers keep winter motoring blues at bay with a comprehensive vehicle check, ensuring that their cars are fully prepared for the heavy demands of the coldest time of year. With the dark nights, participating SEAT dealers have provided
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PM to meet teen volunteers
TWO teenage charity volunteers will meet the Prime Minister at a special reception in Downing Street next week. Caitlin Baglow, 14, from Penrhiw Road, Risca, and Bethan Trevett, 17, of Ty-Asaf Crescent, Pontymister, will meet Gordon Brown at the event
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Ten of the sexiest
Women hoping to attract male attention should get behind the wheel of a classic convertible, and be able to drive it well, according to a survey from evecars.com. The women's car website polled a cross-section of men to discover which cars they'd
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Model strategy
Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) is pursuing a world strategy designed for long-term growth. Following the launch of its acclaimed fourth world strategic model, the Splash, at the 2007 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, the company is developing
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Hybrid Drive for new Porsche Panamera
Porsche today announces it will be building a hybrid drive version of the new Panamera. This four-door Gran Turismo will share the proven components already previewed in the Cayenne Hybrid prototype, which will enter the market at the end of the decade
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TRAFFIC NEWS: Tailbacks easing on M4
TAILBACKS are easing this morning after an accident near junction 29 of the M4. Congestion had stretched back to junction 25 at Caerleon after the incident earlier this morning. Read more traffic updates
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Rehab centre battle back on
THE BATTLE over a controversial £1 million drink and drugs rehab centre planned for Blackwood is set to continue after the developers appealed. Fairlake Properties has lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate Wales over its application for Highbury
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Workers' disgust as steel firm collapses
ADMINISTRATORS have moved into a Newport company because they owe £500,000 to creditors. Steel and structural fabrications company MD Fabrications of Queens Hill collapsed this week after Managing Director Bob Evans confirmed a number of "contracts
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TRAFFIC NEWS: M4 smash causes massive tailbacks
LONG tailbacks are reported this morning after an accident near junction 29 of the M4. Congestion is stretching back to junction 25 at Caerleon. Lanes two and three were blocked at the scene, but by 07:50 all vehicles were moved to the hard shoulder
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Council chief defends cafe chair ban
A NEWPORT council boss has defended the authority's winter ban on tables and chairs outside cafes in the city centre. As we reported last week, police had warned two cafe owners to move the street furniture as they were breaching their licences.
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Youngsters get lotto cash
GWENT youngsters are set to benefit from almost half a million pounds of Lottery cash. The Big Lottery Fund is awarding cash to various schemes across Wales. In Blaenau Gwent, an award of £206,196 will the council to run a project to involve 'disengaged
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No decision yet on Israel invite
MANCHESTER United have revealed it is 'too early to say' whether they will accept an invite to play in Tel Aviv as part of Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations. Israel's ambassador to Britain Ron Prosor made the formal invitation to Sir Alex Ferguson
