Volume 2, Number 6
The Phantascope playing at the Victoria Hall, a queer horse transaction, a man beaten by his father-in-law, the bell ringing nuisance and more lights in Maindee.
Uncovering Newport's interesting past
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A Victorian Christmas in Newport
Step back into late-Victorian Newport through original archival adverts to discover a world of "monster" cheeses, elaborate "Cosaque" crackers, and the grueling festive rush that defined the local Christmas period in the late 19th century.
Newport Picturedrome
The Picturedrome was an ambitious cinema focused on entertainment and education in a safe and modern theatre. It ran between 1911 and 1914 and was located where Nationwide is today.
White's Roman Amphitheatre
In June 1846, White's Roman Amphitheatre toured south Wales visiting Cardiff, Bridgend, Cowbridge and also Newport. The show took place at the New Cattle Market on June 18th, 1846 with one in the afternoon and one in the evening and featured horses, lions, tigers and leopards.
The Streets of Newport: An 1860 Lecture
Step back to 1860 Newport as Dock Street Chapel’s fiery preacher takes aim at 291 beer houses, poverty, quackery, and the town’s moral decline.
The Newport Clothing Club
The Newport Clothing Club of the 1840s was run by women, combining penny savings and philanthropy to keep working families warm.
The Old English Fayre, 1882
The Old English Fair at Newport’s Albert Hall turned the hall into a Tudor-style street with stalls, music, and performances to raise funds for the Infirmary and Free Library. Opened by the Duke of Beaufort, it drew huge crowds, with costumed volunteers and lively attractions boosting local support.
Chartist Meeting of Victoria Square, 1840
Almost a year after the Newport Uprising took place on November 4th, 1839, two men from Bath held an open air meeting about the People's Charter in Baneswell. With outdoor meetings being restricted, the two men were apprehended shortly after and taken to court.
Ye Olde Newport Bazaar, 1922
The Tabernacle Centenary Bazaar was a grand event which took place at the Drill Hall, Stow Hill in 1922 and featured a recreation of the Newport High Street in 1822 complete with the names of all the shops and offices.
The Great Van Amburgh Menagerie
In September 1842, an American animal trainer arrived in Newport as part of his Welsh tour. He displayed an elephant, Bengal tiger, lion and several leopards in a field off Caerleon Road near Clarence Place.
Mr Cornwall's Royal Olympic Circus
In 1842, Mr Cornwall's Royal Olympic Circus visited Newport and over the period of around a month entertained residents of Newport including the Morgan's at an arena in Clarence Place.
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.
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?
Newport Charter of 1711
A detailed charter of 1711 describing how food should be sold at markets, requirements for going to church on a Sunday, looking after your hedges and paths and brewing small beer for the poor.
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Volume 2, Number 6
The Phantascope playing at the Victoria Hall, a queer horse transaction, a man beaten by his father-in-law, the bell ringing nuisance and more lights in Maindee.
Volume 2, Number 5
Taxi prices in 1895, the annual dinner at the Market Taverm, Griffin Street, staealing a two-foot rule, the King's Arms, Christchurch Hill for sale and a fire at a draper's shop.
Volume 2, Number 4
Schools in 1850s Newport, the cost of burials in 1848, burglary at a clergyman's house, refusing to take a child from the workhouse and a month in prison for being drunk.
Volume 2, Number 3
Special constable summoned for assault, fire at W.A. Baker, street preaching, salmon caught in the canal and ham stealing in Pill.
Volume 2, Number 2
The first omnibus route in Newport, till robbing, the notorious Rendezvous pub, the blind sail around Newport, police accommodation in Pill and poor drainage in Ruperra Street.
Volume 2, Number 1
Professor Crocker's Performing Horses, the January Sales, Fires, a trotting match, drunkenness stats of 1889 and complaining about the road to the Pill Barracks.
