Newspaper extracts for Chepstow

There are many references to this area in the 15 million Welsh and English language articles from Welsh newspapers transcribed by the NLW and viewable on Welsh Newspapers Online
Below are English language articles that have been re-transcribed and extracted randomly to illustrate what is available, there are many that are not extracted here that include names of local people

•  From the Monmouthshire Merlin 3rd October 1879

CHEPSTOW. BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—At the annual meeting of the Guardians, on Saturday, Mr r W. Æ Seys presided. The report of the master showed that 32 vagrants had been admitted during the week, and that the number of paupers in the house was 149, against 152 the previous week, and 136 the corresponding week of last year. This being the day appointed for the reoeipt of contracts for the supply of provisions to the house for the ensuing six months, the following, were accepted ; Flour (good seconds), at per sack of 280lbs, 40s.  Mr. Thomas Rees, Pandy Mill,, Chepstow good mutton, ox or heifer beef, 6¼d per lb., Mr. George Eurcum, Chepstow; coal (Welsh), good fire (screened), 10s.6d, delivered at the workhouse, W. B. Nance, Cardiff j ale, at 1s per gallon; there were six tenders, and that of Mr. T. W. Perkins, Priory Brewery, Chepstcw, was accepted ; for grocery there was only one tender, that of Mr. E. Ellis, at prices in one or two instances little in excess of that of the last half-year.

• From the  Monmouthshire Merlin 15th July 1881

CHEPSTOW. VITAL STATISTICS.- From the annual report of Dr. Bond, medical officer of health for the Gloucestershire Combined Sanitary District, recently published, we gather that in the district of the Chepstow Rural Sanitary Authority, an area of 65,317 acres, with a population in 1871 of 15,114, and comprising the whole of the parishes in the Chepstow Union (with the exception of that of Chepstow), the total number of births during the year 1880 were :-Males, 219; females, 187 total, 406; being a ratio of 26.7 per 1,000 of the population and the total number of deaths from all causes 219, being a proportion of 14.4 per 1,000, and showing the percentage of deaths under one year of total births as 11.3.

• From the  Monmouthshire Merlin 9th September 1881

CHEPSTOW. AQUATIC SPORTS.-The annual regatta in connection with the Chepstow Rowing Club was held here on Friday last. The weather being fine, a large number of people were present to witness the events, several of which were well contested. In addition to the boat races there were two swimming matches, and  these caused considerable excitement. The following is a list of winners :—Four-oared race, gigs (open), Monmouth; two-oared race, gigs (open), Lily four- oared race, open race, 23ft., Moss Rose pair-oared race for youths, Dart swimming match open, Edward Williams swimming match for youths, Isaac Allen. Starter, Mr. G. W. Sargent; umpire, Mr. H. Williams.

•  From the Monmouthshire Merlin 8th December 1866

CHEPSTOW. The annual meeting of the members of the Chepstow Literary Institution was held in the reading-room on Monday evening last. The accounts of the hon. secretary and treasurer were laid before the meeting, and it appeared the society was in a healthy condition. The Rev S. F. Morgan was then elected president for the ensuing year, in the room of Thomas Brown, Esq who has left the neighbourhood, and George Watkins, Esq, M.R.C.S., vice-president. The committee, with but few exceptions, were re-elected. The subject of holding Penny R-adings in connexion with this society as heretofore was discussed at some length, and it was ultimately determined to leave the matter in the hands of the committee, who will doubtless hold a meeting very shortly, and determine whether they will hold these entertainments or not. It is generally hoped they will be commenced without delay, as there is no other amusement in this neighbourhood for the young people.

• From the Monmouthshire Merlin 15th December 1866

CHEPSTOW. CATTLE MARKET.—There is now little doubt that the cattle markets and fairs in this town will not be resumed for some time to come. It is stated that the chairman of the Central Committee in this county has been informed by the head of the Cattle Plague Department that owing to many outbreaks of the disease the Privy Council are not disposed to relax the existing restrictions, and that all ports will be refused licenses as a safeguard against any further spread of the disease by importation.

• From the Monmouthshire Merlin 12th May 1871

CHEPSTOW. FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT TO A CIRCUS TROUPE, On Sunday a fearful accident happened at a small village named Poolmeyric, about one mile from Chepstow. A troupe of equestrians, called the Great United States Circus (Bell and Hutchinson, proprietors) who had been performing at Chepstow on Saturday, were taking their departure from this town en route for Newport. The last carriage, drawn by three spirited horses, had scarcely left the town when the animals bolted. The driver soon lost all control, the "skids" did not act, and the horses proceeded at a terrific pace along the road until they came to the top of the hill, leading down to the village. With great presence of mind the driver, named Burley, managed to keep them in the middle of the road, until they came nearly to the bottom, when by a sudden turn they took the wall, demolishing it entirely. The sudden jerk flung the driver off the box into a deep hole on the other side. He pitched on his head, fracturing his skull severely, and there is little hope of his recovery. The splendid carriage was smashed to pieces, two valuable horses were killed on the spot. and another so severely injured as to require it to be shot. Several children were at play on the hill, and their escape was quite a miracle. The injured man was without delay conveyed back to the town, and taken to the Union, and placed under the skilful treatment of Mr. E. P. King.

•  From the Monmouthshire Merlin 1st December 1860

CHEPSTOW. THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. This society was established in the year 1841, and up to the present period has been managed very successfully. Liberal support has been accorded it, so much so, indeed, that the various objects contemplated are not only more numerous than those of most societies, but the prizes are upon a larger scale, and the management more spirited and more precise. In addition to an annual ploughing match, invariably of a first-class character, prizes are awarded for general stock and farms, for roots, and to agricultural servants and labourers for good conduct and skill. Another aim of the society is the diffusion of agricultural and horticultural knowledge, by the establishment of a lending library of the most useful works on agriculture and horticulture, and by holding meetings for discussion and lectures upon agricultural subjects. ....(part extract)......

• From the  Monmouthshire Merlin 10th December 1875

CHEPSTOW. THE MARKET PLACE.—The Market Place, which has been built by the Duke of Beaufort, for Chepstow, by Messrs. Eastcourt, of Gloucester, was completed on Saturday. The building, if not of a very imposing character architecturally considered, is considerably more commodious than the structure which, for the past few years, has been honoured with the title of Market House. The architect has not yet inspected the building, but, so far as can be seen, the work appears to be very substantial, and the internal fixtures are not only good-looking, but apparently convenient. It is understood that the building will be opened for the Christmas Market, and it is to be hoped that now there is something like a suitable edifice in the town wherein to hold a market, the Saturday markets will be better attended than they have been during the past few years.

• From the South Wales Daily News 2nd November 1885

CHEPSTOW. BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The weekly meeting of this board was held on Saturday, under the chairmanship of Mr Godfrey Seys.—The Master reported that the Government Inspector had visited the house during the week, and had complained of the overcrowding in the women's sick ward. A committee, consisting of the Rev, W. Williams and Messrs A, Mills and A, Hiliier, was appointed to investigate and report upon the matter,

•  From the South Wales Daily News 24th October 1885

CHEPSTOW. REDUCTION OF WAGES.-The workmen employed at Messrs Finch and Co's Iron-Ship and Bridge Works have accepted a reduction of wages. The fitters. &c., have been reduced 2s, and the labourers 1s a week.

• From the  South Wales Daily News (Third Edition) 19th February 1896

CHEPSTOW. NATIONAL LABOURERS' UNION.—As the result of negotiations between Mr H. Williams, secretary of the National Labourers' Union. and the manager of the Bridge Works at Chepstow, a number of labourers there have received an advance in wages equal to 20 per cent. This concession is the third that the National Labourers' Union have been able to obtain for their members in various parts of South Wales during the past few months.

•  From the South Wales Daily News (Third Edition) 13th February 1899

CHEPSTOW. Chepstow and the district in the vicinity of the Wye and Severn were flooded. A huge bore went up the Wye on Sunday morning. The wave was the highest since October, 1883, when the Severn Tunnel workings were flooded. The usual precautions of boarding and mudding doorways of houses in the lower parts of the town were resorted to, but the flood rose above the limits anticipated, and houses were inundated. The water rose to the Central Engineering Works in Lower Church-street, and in some houses in Bridge-street reached a depth of between two and three feet. The water receded almost as quickly as it came

• From the Weekly Mail 3rd February 1883

CHEPSTOW. BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The usual weekly meeting of this board was held on Saturday Mr. H. Clay presiding. The master reported the number of inmates as 149, against 151 last week, and 139 the corresponding week of last year vagrants relieved. 41. Out-door relief for the past week: —Chepstow District: Money, £13 19s. 8d. kind, £3 7s. 6d. Shirenewton District: Money, £12 16s. 6d.; kind, £3.1s. 6d. Lydney pistrict: Money. £13 10s.; kind, £3 4s. 6d. Total in money, £40 6s. 2d. in kind, £9 13s. 6d.-A meeting of the School Attendance Committee was then held. With reference to the attendance of children at school, the officers were requested not to repeat a warning to anyone, but to apply for power to prosecute all persons who did not obey the first warning. Thereupon the attendance-officers at once applied for an order to issue summonses against several persons in their various districts, and the application was granted in every case.

•  From the Weekly Mail 25th December 1886

CHEPSTOW. THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.—On Friday evening the usual breaking up party was held at this school. A choice selection of readings, scenes, and music was presented with great skill to a large assembly of the boys and ladies and gentlemen, invited guests. Some of the recitations by the boys and two or three of the songs were rendered with force and spirit, while the playing of F. and R. Flack and Morgan in the scene from "William Tell" showed excellent appreciation and careful study of the text. The farces," Whitebait at Greenwich" and Who's Who," were played in such a manner as to command the deep interest of the audience throughout. The chief characters were admirably sustained by Messrs. Harry and Ernest Dewdney and J. Swingler, while the parts of Lucy Buzzard, and Sally were charmingly played by Miss K. Dewdney and Miss Gueret. The rattling fun of each piece was finely brought out, to the great delight of the company. The chair was occupied, and its duties cleverly discharged, by a senior boy, Norman Evill. Prizes given for English, arithmetic, Latin, French, and mathematics fell to F. Flack, G. Evill. S. Morgan, A. Tucker, King, A. Gooch, F. Griffiths, Birrell, Jones, D. Burnie, and C. Dewduey.