100 years ago

The widespread interest in the Argus scheme to send a Christmas greeting to our troops in the form of a Christmas pudding, shows no abatement, at the moment it remains with the skill of the ladies of Newport to put all their experience into the work of making the puddings.

The Mayor , Dr Lloyd Davies, acknowledged with thanks the gifts of clothing and furniture to the Newport Belgian refugees committee

It was announced that in the present grave emergency another 100,000 men were needed to add to the ranks of the new armies . Age on enlistment 19 to 38 and ex soldiers up to the age of 45 were required.

A terrible fatality occurred at Crumlin when a young man engaged in painting the viaduct fell to his death after the plank he was working from gave way and he fell to the goods yard of the railway station below.

50 years ago

A statement from Downing Street announced. that a Declaration of Independence by Southern Rhodesia would be a open act of defiance and rebellion and it would be treasonable to take steps to give effect to it.

Details of a £4.5million sewerage scheme to be completed by 1981 were presented to Newport public works committee.

Inch by inch the first 130 ton deck section of the Severn Bridge was winched out if the river and then successfully completed its trip to the main cables. This operation made world civil engineering history.

Tenders has been received by Newport town council for a modern shopping precinct with over a score of shops at the town's Ringland estate.

25 years ago

Islwyn councillors urged the Welsh secretary, Peter Walker to give the former Oakdale colliery site top priority in his valleys initiative programme for land reclamation.

The Wales CBI warned that unemployment in Wales would rise unless high interest rates were slashed. The organisation claimed that business confidence had plummeted as the costs of industry had risen.

It was announced that the drought in Gwent was officially over with the recent downpours bringing the reservoir ell elevens back from dangerous.

Police were investigating a bizarre suicide after a man leaped from the London to Swansea train as it travelled through the Severn tunnel. All passengers on board were questioned .