BREEZER: I previously asked a quiz question: what was the first beer served at Bettws? The clue was the Civil Service Club. The answer, through archives, is that Phillips Ales was the purchaser.

I am given to understand that the brewery was later associated with Rhymney Brewers of Cardiff, and Smith's of Newport, also a well-known large beer company.

If anyone has any update, please post me with your views. I thought it would catch you out, but not for long, because Mr Colin Waters, who loves history and quizzes, came up with the goods, but since then our Breezer Queen, Wendy Cripps, of Medway Court, reminded me that the Phillips beer in 1948 was actually a herb beer which, in those days, was used for health reasons. So, well done.

In my column, Monday, February 5, I informed of Bettws residents having played for Newport County AFC or Newport RFC. I apologise to my friend, Phil Howells, who played for the County against Darlington on a day fit for the Arctic, wet and awful, and lost 4-0.

After the story was printed I received a call from a good friend, ex-Newport rugby maestro, Ian Barnard, who was pleased to be mentioned in despatches. So, don't worry, Ian, as good players are remembered forever.

FORUM: On Thursday, February 15, Bettws Women's Forum, chaired by Mrs A Iles, held a special award evening at the Bettws In Bloom HQ, to Rosemary Butler, AM, who is the chairman of the Newport Women's Forum.

These 12 women have worked tirelessly. Money was received by Don Close Nursery for a bus and wet gear, also a grant applied on behalf of Real Bettws RFC.

They have achieved many more attributes for groups in the community, so much that during nine years have funraised to the sum of about £19,000, which is great.

They started meeting at the council day offices, then onto the day centre. I must give a passage for the late Mrs Brenda Desmond, and chairman Mrs A Iles told me: "Brenda was a founder member of the forum, a worker with great energy, who never complained about anything.

She was with me to acquire the activity unit, and she is one past member sorely missed by all. Though quiet and shy, she was the strength of the forum."

The group made another cheque payment donation to Sister Haines, c/o Belle Vue Diabetes Clinic, Royal Gwent Hospital. It was £50, which would help acquire much needed clinical items for patient use, to be accepted in respect of the memory of Brenda Desmond, and thank the clinic for their nice reply.

RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION: Bettws Residents and Tenants Association, chaired by Mr Colin Symonds, are a group of 55 members, in existence for four years.

They are presently working on schemes like summer agriculture/horticulture projects, Bettws Brook clear-up project, and are negotiating for CCTV cameras to be installed at the shopping precinct.

On Friday, February 16, the group, along with Ian Griffiths and Jan Cleverley of Sports and Employ Developments, and the sergeant and men of Bettws police, Chris Derbyshire, of Neighbourhood Committee, Suzannah Evans, Friends of the Earth co-ordinator, members of the public, also children during teacher training day, and thanks to Nick, photographer of the Argus.

The Brook Project clearance litter-pick was welcome to all groups on the day to bring the community together. A grand achievement. The idea was to raise awareness of rubbish clearance, also to forward it onto schools, as health and safety is paramount. They recently joined the youth scheme, hopefully to help with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards to volunteers.

Thanks go to the three local councillors for donations for the drinks.

Newport Friends of the Earth are regular helpers with the litter- picks. Chris Derbyshire, Bettws officer of Neighbourhood, contributed a lot of work to obtain machinery for the BSTRA, tools, and funding for the tractor and trailer, for community and environmental project use.

This was brought about by a community survey undertaken by the team, and backed up by the police sergeant on the day.

The litter-pick day culminated in the filling of ten black bags.

It was a great pity a syringe needle was found, but it was disposed of safely. Thanks to the council for the buffet afterwards, also to the donors of the equipment used.