The Now and Then picture is of Clarence Place, taken before the 1920s as the cenotaph has not yet been built. I used to live in the area, and even after I was married in 1961 I used to travel back and fore to visit my in-laws. The area holds many memories for me.

Mrs Channon, Newport

The pictures in the Now and Then feature show Clarence Place, Newport. The Then picture shows the tram line leading from Newport Bridge to the tram depot (now the bus depot) on Corporation Road.

The photograph must be over 100 years old, I can’t remember any of the buildings in the left/centre of the picture, but the building on the right/centre of the picture are still there today...including the pub!

The Now picture shows the shops with living accommodation above. On the right is the cenotaph which the council have been talking about moving to the Civic Centre for the last 40 years, and they’ve even left a space for it.

There is a big Iceland shop and multi-storey car park in the centre of the picture, also a car exhaust workshop,

Brian J J Jeff, Newport

This is the Clarence Quadrant in Clarence Place. From the dress the photo dates from Late Victorian to early Edwardian. Today's "Quadrant" was built before the First World War, the Cenotaph (cenotaph means 'Empty Tomb') was erected in the 1920's.

Near the site of the Cenotaph was a tram drivers shelter. The monument originally stood in the middle of a traffic island. Behind stands what was the Odeon cinema. Out of sight around the bend was the 1930's Regal Picture House and the Ivy Bush pub followed by Davies Brothers timber yard and the Isca Hotel.

Dave Woolven, Malpas Park, Newport

Today's picture is a rather obvious view of Clarence Place, with the Cenotaph being central. A former Councillor for the area, Harry Williams, constantly referred to it as the 'Greasy Mile' because of the numerous chippies, burger bars and restaurants. Apart from the many road changes, very few of the old buildings to the left of the picture have gone.

Jim Dyer Stockton Road Newport

I am writing regarding the now and then picture in today's argus.

I work in Chez Giovanni and Topolinos and along with my bosses Brian and Christine Lloyd, the owners have always been interested in the history of the building but have been unable to find out much.

Giovanni's is number 52 and Topolinos is number 54. No's 48 to 52 have on them "quadrant 1901" in stone we would be very interested to know more about this. Also we heard that around 30/40 years ago the owner of no 50 found a machine gun upstairs.

Also we don't know when the upstairs levels were added.

Do you have any idea of the history and previous businesses that occupied these buildings. Any information you could give would be gratefully appreciated!

Alison Harrison

The Now and Then picture is of Clarence Place, Newport. On the corner was Liverpool Insurance Company which later became a pub, and is now a funeral parlour. The cenotaph which was built in the 1920s is missing from the picture so I think the date of the picture is circa 1910.

I spent a lot of time in the area in the 50s, attending the college, which has since been developed into flats and spending my leisure time in the Odeon cinema, the Alexander Club, The Ivy Bush pub and the Newport Transport social club and billiard rooms. I remember the Saturday morning cinema club, and Dick Barton very well. When I was older I used to buy a hot dog in the cabin further down the road on my way home from a night out.

Paddle steamers used to leave from the wharf on the Rodney Rd side of the river, and we used to have day trips to Weston or Ilfracombe.

I was married in 1959 and my wife and I bought our first furniture from a large furniture store, Barlows also in that area. My uncle used to own a very large house on the main road which he turned into a bed and breakfast, guest house. Many happy memories of what was a very busy area.

Mr James, Cwmbran

The Now and Then picture is of Clarence Place, where nowadays there is quite a few restaurants. I remember that E J Hughes used to sell all sorts of electrical goods as well as prams etc. TJ’s night club, owned by John Sicolo was also on that stretch, sadly now all closed. Opposite is the Ivy Bush pub and the Odeon cinema which is now empty too. Acroos the road used to be a social club for transport workers, also in the area was a sewing machine shop and the Coliseum cinema which has now been turned into flats. Barretts flower shop and the tax office is nearby.

Mrs Reardon, Newport