Newport Factoids

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Local History

Beyond Newport: Cwmbran Takes The Biscuit

The Sweetest Business in Cwmbran. The longest established employer in Cwmbran is biscuit maker Burton's Foods, who employ 1000 people to make its Jammie Dodgers and Wagon Wheels biscuits. Burton's Biscuit Factory in Cwmbran opened in 1948.  The factory played a key role in Cwmbran's industrial development, providing jobs for thousands of local residents over the decades. The factory produces approximately 400 million Wagon Wheels every year! In 2015, five men stole a container from the site with £20,000 worth […]

today28 February 2025 18

Local History

Beyond Newport: Lynn The Leap

Who is Lynn The Leap? Lynn Davies, nicknamed "Lynn the Leap," is a Welsh former athlete who won the gold medal in the men's long jump at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.  His victory made him the first and so far only athlete from the United Kingdom to win Olympic gold in the long jump. He jumped 8.07 meters (26 feet, 6 inches), defeating American favorite Ralph Boston and Soviet jumper Igor Ter-Ovanesyan. Born in Nantymoel, Wales, in 1942, Davies was […]

today19 February 2025 17

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Beyond Newport: Magor Marsh

What's So Great About Magor? Magor is a village in Monmouthshire. It has a fascinating history and unique characteristics. One of its most interesting features is the Magor Marsh,  a rare and protected wetland that is home to a variety of wildlife, including otters and water voles. It is one of the last remaining areas of natural fenland in Wales. Magor also has deep historical roots, with its name derived from the Welsh "Magwyr," meaning a "wall" or "ruin," hinting […]

today11 February 2025 30

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Newport Factoid # 26: Newport Wetlands

Newport Wetlands: A Hidden Gem of Nature and Wildlife The Newport Wetlands is a stunning nature reserve located on the Gwent Levels near Newport, South Wales. Established in 2000 as compensation for the loss of habitat caused by the Cardiff Bay Barrage, it has become a haven for wildlife and a favorite spot for nature enthusiasts. The reserve covers over 1,000 acres and is home to diverse bird species, including lapwings, little egrets, and the iconic avocet. It features scenic […]

today27 December 2024 5

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Newport Factoid #27: Golden Jubilee City

A Reason to Celebrate! Newport, officially became a city on March 18, 2002, as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. The announcement was met with a mixture of pride and debate among residents. Supporters viewed city status as a recognition of Newport's historical significance, industrial legacy, and evolving role as a modern urban center. Critics questioned whether the town possessed the infrastructure and cultural institutions traditionally associated with city status. City status brought increased investment and attention, fueling […]

today20 December 2024 6

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Newport Factoids: #24 Mari Lwyd

Who is Mari Lwyd? Like many villages & towns around South Wales, Newport hosts an annual tradition, a visit by the Mari Lwyd (grey mare) as she travels around the area. The hobby horse, made of a horse's skull mounted on a stick and held by a man in a sheet has been a local folk custom since about 1800 and happens around Christmas and New Year. The Mari Lwyd is accompanied by a group of merrymen, musicians and dancers […]

today13 December 2024 38 1

Local History

Newport Factoids: #25 Rolling By The River!

Roller Skating, that is! Maskell's in Lower Dock Street was the place to be throughout the 1980s if you were a youngster and roller discos were what the 80s were made for. The roller rink was originally half ice but became a full roller rink in 1982. As with most activities of the era, health and safety were minor considerations, with rough games of British Bulldog and long trains of skaters being the norm. The one concession for safety was […]

today22 November 2024 26 4

Newport Factoids

Newport Factoids: #23 Michael Sheen

Actor, Michael Sheen began his life in the small Newport village of Llanmartin before moving with his family to Port Talbot. He has a long list of awards for his work on stage and screen and has played the role of Prime Minister, Tony Blair three times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_W1fRm0NM0 By Richard "Cookie"Cook

today15 November 2024 92

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Newport Factoids: #22. Newport’s Wave

Hey look! Unveiled in 1990,  sculptor Peter Fink’s enormous steel wave, on the banks of the River Usk, was commissioned to commemorate the city’s role in the steel industry. Very much of its time, the Wave has become a symbol of Newport and is well known throughout the area. By Richard "Cookie" Cook

today8 November 2024 38

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