THIS weekend sees nearly 50 teams from across South East Wales descending on the Raglan for the fourth annual Abergaven-ny Mini and Junior Ten-a-side Rugby Tournament, writes Keith Fairbank. 675 players as young as seven will be participating in what
MORE THAN 600 parents and youngsters descended on Chippenham Fields on Sunday for the finals of the Junior Gwent Cup. But there was disappointment for the two young Monmouth sides in their cup finals, with the under-8s going down 50-25 to Cwmbran, and
MORE THAN 600 parents and youngsters descended on Chippenham Fields on Sunday for the finals of the Junior Gwent Cup. But there was disappointment for the two young Monmouth sides in their cup finals, with the under-8s going down 50-25 to Cwmbran, and
DIVISION Four East fighters Chepstow RFC took another step closer to safety on Saturday, with a vital 19-10 win at Talywain. The three points takes Chepstow's season tally to 18, just one off safety, although Nantyglo boast games in hand. But the victory
VILLAGERS in Llanellen have called for traffic-calming measures to be installed "before someone gets killed." They claim that the rural 'rat run' along Gypsy Lane has become so dangerous they have to dodge speeding traffic simply to cross the road. Pensioner
AROUND 200 elite cyclists from across the UK are due to line up on Chippenham Fields this Sunday for the inaugural Forest of Dean Spring Classic - an 80-mile endurance race starting and finishing in Monmouth. The road race on Sunday April 30 is billed
THE people of Monmouth will be the first in Wales to have their health and social care available under one roof when a unique £6 million centre opens early next month. Monnow Vale, off Rockfield Road, was eight years in the planning, with NHS and local
PLANS for the development of the Brewery Yard are the most exciting Abergavenny has seen for 20 years. The multi-million-pound scheme, due to be completed in two years time, has received a cautious welcome by leading traders. Trader John Bannon, who praised
BORDERERS' penultimate match of the season was a hastily arranged fixture against Cardiff side Llandaff North, with the home sides running out easy winners. A try from flanker Chris Shuck and conversion from Ashley Young gave them an early 7-0 lead, then
Caldicot Castle A came from 1-0 down to clinch their fourth consecutive Shield victory after a penalty shoot -out against Sudbrook Cricket Club A. Chris Phillips put the Cricket Club ahead with a superb lob from 25 yards after eight minutes' play. Mark
WAR veterans, community leaders and army officers gathered in Chepstow on Tuesday to commemorate Anzac Day, writes Alex Cinus. Wreaths were laid by local dignitaries at the commemorative gun in the town, followed by an address by Rev Rodney Ingrouille
YOUNG mum Tracy James has many happy memories of Bailey Park Pool and finds it sad that her daughter Megan, ten, is too young to have used it. But her son Frank, 15, spent many happy hours there with all his family, including grandmothers Mrs Angela Williams
PROMOTION-seeking Dugout came away from Thornwell with an impressive win on Saturday, while the Red and Whites ended what has been a poor season with a 19th defeat. The game was evenly balanced for the first ten minutes, but Dugout dug deeper and scored
CALDICOT castle is set to be closed six months of the year, causing outrage amongst the towns community leaders. The castle, which attracts approximately 34,000 people a year, will have its opening season reduced as part of Monmouthshire County Council's
THE people of Monmouth will be the first in Wales to have their health and social care available under one roof when a unique £6 million centre opens early next month. Monnow Vale, off Rockfield Road, was eight years in the planning, with NHS and local
A 'FASHION conscious' thief managed to steal an expensive leather jacket from a Chepstow shop - and replaced it with a "35p rag". Lyn Pring, who runs St Mary's Street Collectibles in the town, was left stunned after spotting a £40 leather jacket had been
Caldicot Castle A came from 1-0 down to clinch their fourth consecutive Shield victory after a penalty shoot -out against Sudbrook Cricket Club A. Chris Phillips put the Cricket Club ahead with a superb lob from 25 yards after eight minutes' play. Mark
MONMOUTH Cricket Club made their debut in the Worcester County League on a victorious note, with a seven wicket win over Tenbury Wells 2nds. Monmouth won the toss and asked the hosts to bat first on Tenbury's compact ground. Wells found it hard to make
AN unusual new holiday cottage has just been created out of the former stables within the grounds of Dingestow Court. The finishing touches to the building, which dates back around 100 years, have just been made to restore the lead cupola to its original
POTENTIAL film stars of the future descended upon Chepstow Leisure Centre this week, to take part in auditions for roles in a new movie called Outlaw. The film, directed by Nick Love, whose other films include Football Factory and The Business, is to
PLANS for the development of the Brewery Yard are the most exciting Abergavenny has seen for 20 years. The multi-million-pound scheme, due to be completed in two years time, has received a cautious welcome by leading traders. Trader John Bannon, who praised
OUTGOING manager Bill Mainwaring was pleased his Thursdays side were able to finish their season on a high - after a dismal run of form saw the title challengers place in mid-table. Speaking after the 2-1 win, which consigned Ebbw Vale to relegation from
THE revised route for the proposed M4 relief road has been criticised by a local councillor and by wildlife experts. As reported last week, the Assembly has come up with new preferred route for a new motorway between Junction 23 at Magor and Junction
THE MONMOUTH woman, who until this year had never run four miles, proudly completed the London Marathon at the weekend - although she confesses she had to 'powerwalk' rather than run most of the course. Helen Fergusson-Kelly, 42, won a competition in
MARDY had earmarked their trip to Blaenavon as a title-decider from an early stage this season, writes Keith Fairbank. But ironically Saturday's 1-1 draw between the two sides has all but handed the championship, and potential Welsh League football, to
GOYTRE, still not yet safe from the relegation dogfight at the bottom of Welsh League Division Three, travel to fellow-strugglers Blaenrhondda tonight, knowing three points would all but seal their hosts' fate. Goytre are two points ahead of their Valleys
CWMFFWDOER travelled to Undy on Saturday, with their hosts having secured their survival in Gwent County Division One in midweek. And Undy continued their good form taking all three points from the Doer, despite the visitors getting off to the perfect
LOCAL MP David Davies has reacted strongly to claims that the area's public transport network would be 'adequate' enough to support jobseekers forced to travel across the county, or even over the border, if the proposed closure of Mon-mouth JobCentre
ANGRY Pontypool fans were proffered an olive branch by the club's management team after their vital win against Cross Keys on Saturday. The Free Press reported last week how members of Pontypool Rugby Club's Official Supporters committee were planning
A NEW car, a new home and holiday are top of the list for Torfaen's latest millionaire couple. Recently retired factory worker Gareth Cooper and his wife Jenny, deputy head teacher of Kemys Fawr Infant School, in Griffithstown, are now contemplating their
HUNDREDS of mourners attended the funeral of sporting legend Ken Jones yesterday. Mr Jones died last week at his Newport home at the age of 84 after a long illness. He was best known as one of Wales' greatest-ever rugby players, an exciting winger who
"SOMEONE could be killed." That's the warning from a Cwmbran father whose daughter was involved in a motorbike crash after allegedly being chased by the police. Norman Evans, of Maendy Way, Pontnewydd, said police action toward off-road bikers is "getting
PONTYPOOL'S new Police Inspector has outlined his vision for the town - to make it a safer and better place to live and work in. Inspector Paul Jackson was appointed nine weeks ago and has wasted no time in familiarizing himself with the issues the area
PANTEG boss Paul Thomas was looking for three points as his side travelled to Coed Eva last night, knowing a win would lift his men up from 11th to eighth and above this Saturday's opponents, Albion Rovers. Panteg have enjoyed a mixed season, hovering
NEW Inn bounced back from a disappointing defeat to PILCS with a good home win over Pontyminster. Both teams played some good football in this seven-goal thriller, with the visitors starting well and going 2-0 up inside ten minutes. Around the half hour
Race took to the field on a warm and sunny day again encouraged by an excellent midweek away draw versus Cup finalists Abertillery Bluebirds. Despite the fact that Christchurch have been relegated, they performed well in the opening half of this game,
GWENT Police is investigating the death of a 40-year-old woman in Cwmbran. The body of Gillian Susan Wheeler was found at a flat in Sirhowy Court, Thornhill, on Saturday, April 22. Her body was found with what the police said initially were "minor injuries
With Tranch Utd declared last week as Division One Champions and Clydach Wasps securing the runners-up spot all that now remains in Division One is sides completing their fixtures. There is still some interest in the Division One relegation zone. Mardy
WAYNE Morley set up one and scored the other on Saturday, as Caldicot Town put in a mediocre performance at Tred-egar, writes Keith Fairbank. But his efforts and those of his teammates were not enough to overwhelm a good home side - with manager Jason
IT'S the major racecourse occasion of the year for amateur horse racing in south and west Wales. Supporters of point to point racing will descend in large numbers on Chepstow Racecourse on Friday evening for the annual running of the Dunraven Bowl Novices
LOCAL MP David Davies has reacted strongly to claims that the area's public transport network would be 'adequate' enough to support jobseekers forced to travel across the county, or even over the border, if the proposed closure of Mon-mouth JobCentre
THE future of a livestock market in Monmouthshire is in doubt after council chiefs revealed a £1m shortfall in funding. Steve Greenslade, Chief planning Officer at Monmouthshire county council, admitted to more than 100 concerned farmers that the project
MAJOR gas mains work is to be carried out on the Hereford Road in Monmouth and is expected to take 20 weeks to complete. The improvement work will begin on Monday, May 8, 2006, by gas distribution company Wales & West Utilities. The £155,000 project
ST ARVANS fencers Olivia and George Orchart found the going tough in the Birmingham International competition. The event was the last major competition before selection for September's Commonwealth Fencing Championships so attracted a high-class field
A FAMILY has been left distraught after a headstone was stolen at Bulwark cemetery in Chepstow. The headstone of Jayne Chesterman who died in 1948 was missing when her granddaughter Denise Turner came to visit from her family home in Oxford. She said:
SPANDAU Ballet legend Tony Hadley says he can't wait to perform at the inaugural Pop in the Park music event at Bailey Park in Abergavenny this summer. And the winner of ITV's Reborn in the USA series revealed he might have a special song up lined-up
RADICAL moves have been taken to solve anti-social behaviour problems at St Mary's churchyard, following the failure of a number of other measures. Monmouth Police have obtained a Dispersion Order - the first in Monmouthshire - which allows them to order
Monmouth MP David Davies paid tribute to the workers who built the Severn Tunnel after taking a trip underground to view the structure last week. Mr Davies said: "The story of the Severn Tunnel is a remarkable tale of endurance in the face of seemingly
THE theft of a rare cult movie from Monmouth's Savoy Theatre last week has been likened to stealing the Mona Lisa by the cinema's director of films. The dark Ealing comedy, featuring Sir Alec Guinness in his crowning glory in Kind Hearts And Coronets,
A WALL-HANGING depicting Henry V's battle cry at Agincourt has been donated to the people of Monmouth so that it can be used as a visitor attraction within the Shire Hall Building. The wall-hanging was produced by a small band of women known as the Monmouth
DIVISION Four East fighters Chepstow RFC took another step closer to safety on Saturday, with a vital 19-10 win at Talywain. The three points takes Chepstow's season tally to 18, just one off safety, although Nantyglo boast games in hand. But the victory
A LOCAL chapel was wrecked by a young couple who carried out a campaign of raiding churches to pay for their own wedding, a court heard last week, writes Andy Sherwill. While nothing was stolen from Llancloudy Methodist Church, the damage caused by the
ANGRY Abergavenny coach Gary Lawrence was furious with the match referee following his side's defeat to Llanishen on Saturday; claiming the official's inability to control the ruck and maul was the principle cause for the reverse. He said this week: "
A DRIVE to establish more Neighbourhood Watches in Abergavenny is to be launched next month, in a bid to reduce crime in the town. The ambitious project is aimed at communities that suffer from low-level lawlessness, such as malicious damage, anti-social
POLICE in Monmouth are seeking to identify the man shown in this e-fit following an incident in Usk last month, writes Andy Sherwill. At 11am on Wednesday, March 15, a woman in her 80s was met at her Usk home by a man claiming to be from the electricity
MONMOUTH MP David Davies says the true cost of merging Wales' four police forces will be hundreds of millions of pounds. Mr Davies spoke out after discussing the controversial scheme with the Chief Constable of Gwent Police and other top officials on
MONMOUTH Town will be playing Division One football this autumn after the Kingfishers secured the Gwent County Second Division title on Saturday with a 1-1 draw at Llanhilleth. Andrew Smith's side had already ensured themselves of promotion with a 2-1
RESIDENTS in Abergavenny fighting a new skate park in their town say an amended set of plans have done nothing to resolve their problems. Plans were first submitted for the new park in January 2005.They proposed the park went on Lower Meadow in Pen Y
THE redevelopment of Shirenewton Golf Club has been praised by a member of the county planning committee. Cllr Philip Murphy said: "Everything about this development has been done superbly well and you notice it when you drive past." He was commenting
A LOCAL farmer has reduced his planning application to hold clay pigeon shooting events from 120 days to 56 days a year - following an outcry from local residents. Clive Pritchard, of the Keepers Lodge Farm in Llanishen, has been holding clay pigeon shooting
Bulwark juniors have got back on track with two hard fought wins in a week. Firstly they travelled away to Monmouth B with a hard fought 4-3 win with the Bulls goals coming from Dan Morgan, a brace from Neil Hampton and one from Sam Rushworth. Bulwark's
BARRIE Vassallo, the man brought in to stave off relegation fears at Chepstow Town, knows Saturday's point at home to Seven Sisters has all but mathematically made the club safe. But that now brings into question his future at the club - with Vassallo
MONMOUTH Cricket Club's 2nd XI kicked off their debut season in the Worcester County League Divi-sion Three South with a comfortable seven wicket win over rivals Tenbury Wells seconds. On a muggy afternoon and on a damp wicket, Monmouth won the toss and
A FAMILY has been left distraught after a headstone was stolen at Bulwark cemetery in Chepstow. The headstone of Jayne Chesterman who died in 1948 was missing when her granddaughter Denise Turner came to visit from her family home in Oxford. She said:
A tremendous second half performance ensured that Cwmbran completed the double over Nelson in this away victory. Losing the first half 6-15 the Crows were three tries to nil down, all they had to show was two Carl Moore penalties for their efforts. Nevertheless
CWMBRAN, fresh from their successful tour of Ireland, returned to club rugby at the weekend with an emphatic win over Risca. The home side, playing at the Kings Head ground fore the last time this season, showed their intent right from the kick off and
GOYTRE, still not yet safe from the relegation dogfight at the bottom of Welsh League Division Three, travel to fellow-strugglers Blaenrhondda tonight knowing three points would all but seal their hosts' fate. Goytre, who were unlucky to go down 3-2 to
POOLER'S players rallied behind their under-pressure backroom staff in spectacular fashion on Saturday, lifting themselves off the bottom of the Welsh Premiership with a fine win over Cross Keys. Now, ahead of this weekend's crunch tie against the old
FOLLOWING hot on the heels of Pontypool's success, Cwmbran is to be the next venue for a European street market. More than 25 different stalls will be pitched in Gwent Square from Thursday, May 4 to May 6. It will be the first time Cwmbran acts as host
NEW Panteg under-16s ran out comfortable winners in the final of the Gwent District Cup Plate, defeating Garndiffaith 29-5. The local rivals met at the Whiteheads Sports and Social Club at Newport, with both sides searching for the early opportunity to
PEOPLE suffering from back problems in Pontypool need no longer suffer in silence as a new chiropractic clinic has been launched in the town. Cymru Chiropractic has been established by fully qualified and registered chiropractor Dr Trevor Horan, to help
Pontypool Utd played two games this week and recorded two fine wins. On Wednesday night they visited Old Illtydians in Cardiff and they made four changes from the previous game in Cwmbran. In came hooker Michael Jones, flanker Mike Rosser and backs Dale
A STROKE of luck has enabled four keen golfers to donate over £1,000 to charity. Meryl Espley-Parkes, Lyndon Gibbs, Roger Hopkins and Ray Turner are regular quiz goers at Pontypool Golf Club and successfully tested their grey matter at Pontypool at the
A LOCAL farmer has reduced his planning application to hold clay pigeon shooting events from 120 days to 56 days a year - following an outcry from local residents. Clive Pritchard, of the Keepers Lodge Farm in Llanishen, has been holding clay pigeon shooting
