100 years ago

A motor car was in a collision with a pony and trap on Caerleon Road, Newport. The occupants of the trap were in a serious condition after being violently thrown out nut the pony escaped uninjured. The driver of the car claimed his wheels had skidded on tram lines.

Considerable anxiety was caused by the disappearance of a 16 year old Abertillery girl who had been in service in Penarth. She had not been seen for almost two months.

A proposal at a Risca council meeting to sell a number of council owned houses in Wattsville was defeated even though the council had previously agreed to no longer pay for their upkeep.

A letter was circulated to all district councils proposing the erection of a county memorial to the late Viscount Tredegar.

50 years ago

An attempt to attract new industries to the Western Valley was to be one of the main aims of Abertillery council in the year ahead.

Police were searching the Gilwern area for a green uniformed horseman who was seen riding through the village brandishing a sword. He carried a sabre at his side and wore a brass helmet complete with green plumage, he also carried a Roman-type shield. A 28 year old was later detained under the Mental Health Act.

A computer newly installed by the NCB to evaluate miners’ wages was ‘beaten’ by two house numbers in Gelligaer as it was unable to recognise letters and numbers, ie 1a, in an address. In order for the computer to function fully, Gelligaer urban council were altering the house numbers of the workers concerned.

25 years ago

Torrential rainfall during the week caused headaches for officials at Newport Show as last minute arrangements were made to minimise the mud at Tredegar Park showground.

The latest figures showed that sales of the South Wales Argus were up by more than 1000 copies a night, the best figures for the last four years.

Newport’s mayor officially opened the TSB’s new offices at Cleppa Park Industrial Estate in the first stage of a development that would bring 2000 jobs to Newport.

About 400 Newport postmen and women walked out on strike accusing management of failing to negotiate over the use of casual labour. A further dozen were suspended for refusing to cross picket lines.