The 1836 'Hurricane'
On the evening of Monday 28th and into Tuesday 29th November, a violent storm hit Newport, the rest of Monmouthshire and the Bristol Channel causing damage and some deaths.
Uncovering Newport's interesting past
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Crimes in the 15th Century
Cattle stealing, housebreaking, assault, rape, robbery. A record of the crimes being committed in Newport and surrounding areas in the late 15th century.
Volume 1, Number 18
The Empire's Puzzle Pictures, Robert Baden-Powell visits Newport, Sarah Bernhardt performs at the Lyceum, stealing hair, a noisy milkman and a mother beats her child with a potato masher.
For Sale in 1778: A Mansion House Called the Fryers
A 1778 advert from the Bath Chronicle described a mansion house for sale called the Fryers.
For Sale: One Used Slave and Whaling Vessel
The short history of how a ship called the African Queen shipped slaves from Africa and went whaling in the South Seas ended up for auction in Newport in 1802.
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.
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Volume 1, Number 16
The Russian Gun, a tee-totaller arrested for being drunk, rook shooting, the ‘Greatest Ventriloquist in Europe’ visits Newport, the Monster American Circus and an immense broccoli.
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.
