Volume 1, Number 15
The introduction of the "Queue" at the Lyceum Theatre, the stench funnel on Stow Hill, the quality of water in Pill, mud on Corporation Road and what to do with the Russian gun at the Cattle Market.
Uncovering Newport's interesting past
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The First Motor Car In Newport
On Tuesday 24th November, 1896 a Benz motor car was exhibited at the Tredegar Show and it may have been the first car to appear in Newport.
Fire-Eater Visits Newport
For six decades Robert Powell toured the country with his fire eating show where he would eat hot coals as if they were bread, eat a soup of brimstone and lead and even broil beef over a hot coal on his tongue. In 1753 and 1766 he visited the King's Head in Newport.
The Prison Dietary
A report from 1854 discussing the diets of the prisons of the county gaols including ensuring that the food was below that of a workhouse to discourage people choosing a prison life.
Volume 1, Number 13
Breaking the Sabbath in Caerleon, taking a nap in a hay loft, boy steals 20lb of bacon and complaining about the speed of public coaches.
Alteryn Skating Field
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Allt-yr-Yn was home to a very popular ice skating field. Hundreds would attend daily making its owners a sizeable sum of money.
For Sale: A Commodious Dwelling-House
In September 1770, a large house belonging to a Mrs Kemeys was advertised for sale located near the Market House on High Street. But where exactly was it?
Charles Morgan’s Tredegar Cattle Show
The Tredegar Cattle Show ran for over 100 years from 1819 first at Court-y-Bella Farm and then Newport Cattle Market. This is just a brief snippet from a few years in the 19th century.
Dickey Taylor, the Idiotic-Looking Elf
A miserable, lean, and idiotic-looking elf with the vacant stare of a maniac, and the tattered appearance of a thoroughbred vagrant. A Baneswell resident charged with singing in the street.
Milo the Muscular Giant
Milo the Muscular Giant was an Italian-born strongman who performed at The Empire in Newport in January 1894. He was a classic strongman of the 19th/20th centuries.
Newport (Monmouthshire) Roads Act 1811
A description of turnpike roads, costs for animals and vehicles, the requirement to install mile posts and offences such as not be allowed to throw fireworks on the road.
A Description of Newport and Caerleon in 1803
Rev J Evans' tour of South Wales including mentions of the bridges at Newport and Caerleon and the Charity School in Caerleon.
1731: When Caerleon's Bull Inn had a Bowling Green
Back in 1731, an advertisement for the Bull Inn, Caerleon mentions a bowling green being available, but where exactly was it?
Letting Newport Castle in 1797
An advertisement posted in 1797 offering to let Newport Castle. Contains information on the different buildings and their dimensions.
18th Century Miscellany — 1730-1749
Stolen horses, mentions of early pubs, houses for sale, the cattle market, the Sea Wall being breached, town and Caerleon bridges brought down by ice, cock fighting and a school in need of a headmaster.
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Volume 1, Number 15
The introduction of the "Queue" at the Lyceum Theatre, the stench funnel on Stow Hill, the quality of water in Pill, mud on Corporation Road and what to do with the Russian gun at the Cattle Market.
The First Motor Car In Newport
On Tuesday 24th November, 1896 a Benz motor car was exhibited at the Tredegar Show and it may have been the first car to appear in Newport.
Fire-Eater Visits Newport
For six decades Robert Powell toured the country with his fire eating show where he would eat hot coals as if they were bread, eat a soup of brimstone and lead and even broil beef over a hot coal on his tongue. In 1753 and 1766 he visited the King's Head in Newport.
Volume 1, Number 14
A month on the treadmill, stealing water, a drunk little old Welshman, the fire engine committees report, nuisance out-of-town-girls and bears in Maindee?
The Prison Dietary
A report from 1854 discussing the diets of the prisons of the county gaols including ensuring that the food was below that of a workhouse to discourage people choosing a prison life.
Volume 1, Number 13
Breaking the Sabbath in Caerleon, taking a nap in a hay loft, boy steals 20lb of bacon and complaining about the speed of public coaches.
