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CYCLISTS resplendent in dazzling orange event jersey are ready to fill roads of south east Gwent on Sunday as they take part in the Whitehead Tour De Gwent sportif 2021.

The Whitehead Tour de Gwent, in aid of Newport-based St David’s Hospice Care, is being staged on  Sunday, September 12.  The multi-route event attracts hundreds of riders and raises £1000’s for St David’s Hospice Care.

Newport headquartered Whitehead Building Services Managing Director,  Rhys Morton, who as well as sponsoring the event also takes part, said: “The orange jersey for this year’s event is truly awesome. I know that the riders, who look forward to his incredible event coming round  each year, can’t wait to get on their bikes and onto the phenomenal course especially as last year the event had to be virtual.”

Kris Broome, of St David’s Hospice Care, said: ” Whitehead Tour de Gwent, organised by St David’s Hospice Care and sponsored by Whitehead Building Services, is the annual cycling event for everyone no matter what their level of experience on a bike.

“With six carefully designed routes to choose from, each with their own unique features, the event offers something for cyclists of all abilities. From hard-core cyclists looking for an epic leg-burning challenge to families who’d prefer a pleasant ‘there-and-back’ along the River Usk, you won’t be disappointed.

“The event is great for spectators as well as those doing the pedalling. Starting in the picturesque Roman town of Caerleon and then heading out to pass  some of the most idyllic scenery in South Wales, spectators are invited to enjoy a few hours exploring the local area or head out to a vantage point to cheer the riders along their chosen route.

“By taking part in the Tour de Gwent you are supporting the work of St David’s Hospice Care, which means you are making a positive difference to patients and their families all throughout Newport, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Torfaen and South & Mid Powys. The sponsorship you raise will provide comprehensive palliative care to people facing life limiting illnesses and provide care and support to their families at a very difficult time. St David’s Hospice Care, with your help, aims to ensure that patients have the choice to receive care at home, surrounded by friends and family.”

SOLICITORS  Harrison Clark Rickerbys are preparing a brace of oarsome crews ready to  get back on the water for the annual  River Wye Raft Race next month.

The law firm, which has offices in Cardiff and the Wye Valley, is entering a pair of teams each eager to beat the other to the finish line in the 6.5 mile event from Monmouth to Whitebrook.

However the Cardiff team may well have an advantage as they are fielding a crew of eight while the team from Ross on Wye have just a half dozen paddlers on their raft.

Monmouth Raft Race, which is being staged for the 55th time this year, is organised by Rotary Monmouth with the majority of the funds raised donated to Newport-based St David’s Hospice Care.

Encouraging others to enter a raft in the event Harrison Clark Rickerbys raft crew member, trainee solicitor Megan Long,  said: “We are using the raft race as a light-hearted competition between our two offices, to increase team spirit and morale and bring out the competitive side of our colleagues as each office goes head to head.

“The raft race is a fantastic opportunity to pool together a collaborate effort in terms of both the race and fundraising targets and raft building sessions beforehand. Finally, the raft race offers a welcome opportunity to gather and socialise together at the end of the race, with refreshments of course and laugh about the other team capsizing and general mishaps, all in aid of a fantastic cause, St David’s Hospice Care.”

The law firm, which competes in the raft race each year, said: “We would encourage others to get involved because the locality of the River Wye is a fantastic excuse to try something new as part of a team, while raising awareness of a local charity and giving something back to the local community. This raft race is a unique and special experience, which our firm looks forward to every year.”

St David’s Hospice Care Chief Executive, Emma Saysell, said: “It’s wonderful to know that Harrison Clark Rickerbys Solicitors are continuing to support Monmouth Raft Race once more this year.

“Monmouth Raft Race, staged so brilliantly by Monmouth Rotary, is a very well-loved and critical event in the St David’s Hospice Care fund raising event calendar, helping to fund the continued work of our nurses and the running of hospice services provided free to all patients and families.

“The race is such a huge social occasion for everyone involved,  not the least the raft makers, their teams and supporters. I’d urge anyone thinking of coming on board this year to take the plunge and sign up now-you won’t be disappointed and will be helping to support the hospice which cares, free of charge, to users throughout our community.”

“The entry fees and any donations made, help us to provide vital palliative care to people facing life limiting illnesses as well as providing support to their families at a very difficult time.”

Norman Williams, of Rotary Monmouth, said: ” Harrison Clark Rickerbys are wonderful supporters of the Monmouth Raft Race  We are very grateful to them for their annual entry and of course the money they raise through sponsorship.”

This year’s Monmouth Raft Race is on Sunday, September 5. The 6.5mile paddle from Monmouth to Whitebrook on the River Wye is sponsored by Mandarin Stone. For more details and how to enter visit www.monmouthraftrace.com

CLASSIC and super car fans in their thousands converged on Chepstow Racecourse for an inaugural motoring event in aid of St David’s Hospice Care.

Enthusiasts were queuing when the gates opened to get in to see the cars and also to  buy tickets for the day-long South Wales Car Festival.

Emma Saysell,  chief executive of St David’s Hospice Care, attending the event said: “The turnout for the car show was phenomenal. We’re thrilled with the support from those exhibiting and also those who have attended in their thousands.

“We’re also very grateful for the backing of all those involved, classic and super car owners and  in particular our sponsors St. Joseph’s Hospital.”

Stuart Hammond, CEO of Newport-based St Joseph’s Hospital, said: “We were delighted to sponsor the event and are especially pleased to know that so many attended on the day.

“St Joseph’s Hospital is all about looking after people and we are committed to contributing to the local community where we operate. All proceeds from the event go to St David’s Hospice Care to help them to continue to provide an incredible palliative care service locally.”

Beth Harrington, of St David’s Hospice Care, who organised the event, said: “We are extremely grateful for the wonderful support we received from St Joseph’s Hospital for the inaugural South Wales Car Festival. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day out for everyone involved and augurs well for the future of this high octane event.

“This was a tricky run up to the event with all the Covid-19 restrictions and guidelines ever changing together with the numerous date changes. As our first event we always knew we would have lots to learn and consider for future years.

“We had a great response with pre-sold tickets but we’re overwhelmed with the further support we received with tickets sold on the day, which brings its own challenges with various elements such as catering etc

“We cannot thank Chepstow Racecourse enough for having us at their fabulous venue and would like to thank all our wonderful volunteers for their support, not forgetting all the vehicle owners who stuck by us.

“Thank you on behalf of everyone involved with St David’s Hospice Care & the South Wales Car Show”

NEWPORT property auctioneer and extreme athlete Paul Fosh successfully lead a team to conquer the Three Peaks of Wales Challenge.

Paul, more used to battling the wilds and wilderness of the Arctic extremes, steadfastly guided his team to complete the gruelling challenge for homelessness charity Llamau.

Starting just after midnight the Paul Fosh Auctions and Lettings team first scaled Snowdon, 1,085 metres, then Cadair Idris (893m) in North Wales before travelling down to tackle Penyfan (886m) all inside 24 hours.

Paul Fosh Auctions Three Peaks of Wales Challenge team are now well on the way to achieving their target of raising £3,000 for the charity.

Paul recently competed in the unforgiving and brutal 268-mile Montane Spine ultra event from Edale in the Peak district to Kirk Yelthorn in the Scottish borders also for the charity but his Three Peaks of Wales team were much less experienced.

The 53-year-old MD of Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions & Lettings who lives near the Monmouthshire border, said: “The Paul Fosh Auctions & Lettings team set ourselves a task  of competing in and completing The Three Peaks of Wales challenge and in the end we absolutely smashed it!.

“There were some truly enormous and magnificent examples of true grit, resilience and monumental effort from Paul Fosh Auctions & Lettings team members many of them taking part  in an event of such enormity and magnitude in terms of mental and physical exertion, for the first time.

“I’m enormously proud of what the team achieved and in awe of their individual and collective efforts and also for the money that they have raised for Llamau.”

Paul competed in 2015 in the Likeys Ultra in Canada when he was one of just eight to finish, coming fourth out of the 24 that entered. He also completed the 300-mile Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra in 2016.

The super fit Ultra Athlete says he has unfinished Arctic business. He is heading back to the icy Yukon wilderness next spring. He was forced to pull out of the 430-mile Montane Yukon Ultra in 2019 due to injury and plans to finish the event this time.

Mr Fosh and Paul Fosh Auctions and Lettings raises funds for Llamau, the Wales homelessness young people and women charity. To donate to the Paul Fosh Auctions and Lettings Three Peaks of Wales appeal visit: https://bit.ly/3j7XPsT

www.paulfoshauctions.com

Leading city historian unveils list of 200 Newport addresses where c19th insurrection leaders lived

LEADING Chartist historian Pat Drewett has revealed important information which sheds new light on activities of those involved in the infamous nineteenth century insurrection.

After months of detailed and painstaking research the historian and former teacher, from Newport, today unveils a list of some 200 names and their contemporary addresses dotted around the town.

Addresses in Llanarth Street, Friars Street, Stow Hill, Commercial Street and Allt-yr-Yn,  are joined by scores more in Pat’s fascinating fact file.

The archivist has constructed a detailed chart which, he says, locates the precise home addresses and other personal details of more than 200 Chartists living in Newport in 1839.

Poring over museum and other historical records as well as newspaper and court reports of news and trials, Pat has itemised names and addresses of Chartists living throughout the town.

The historian, who says he is  grateful for assistance from other local historians in his work, now plans to complete similar Chartist forensic work on more south Wales valleys towns.

Pat says he has created the chart of names and addresses as a homage to the original chart signed by the Chartists. The list is available for those interested as a computer spreadsheet.

Not only does Pat believe his findings will rekindle local interest in Chartists, in particular from those people living today in the houses he identifies but he also believes the information could  add  weight to the city’s crucial  bid to secure UK City of Culture 2025.

Pat, who has been heavily involved in the Chartist movement in Newport for many years, said: “I believe people will be absolutely fascinated in finding out that someone intimately involved in the Chartist uprising lived in their house or that they are a neighbour of where a Chartist once lived.

“This new information is important also as it helps to give the Chartists and what they were about, new life. The history and heritage of Chartism is unique to Newport.

“What’s more I believe that this data can add huge strength and weight to Newport’s bid for City of Culture.

“It’s important to celebrate because the Chartists were struggling for freedom, for justice and for the right to vote-everything which is as important today as it was back in the 1840’s.

“What this does is  help to keep interest in Chartism and our history alive. It shines a light on the desperate struggles of the past and also serves to bring them right up to date  in  a meaningful and tangible way.”

To view Pat Drewett’s chart visit  https://1drv.ms/x/s!Aqe1sAOpy4nJkXfGgWGZ8wKZBFjW?e=hRWouD 

 

Names selected at random from Pat Drewett’s list:

• James Stephens, 33, Malpas Village, Newport, National Charter Association Member
• John James, 43, Mellon Street, Newport, Carpenter
• William ‘Billy’ Davies, 16, Llanarth Street, Newport, Shoemaker, Parents lived in Tan Yard High Sreet
• William Watkins, 33, Stow Hill, Newport, Woodcutter, charged with inducing a soldier to desert and fined £20
• Samuel McFarlane, 26, Charles Street, Newport, Painter/Artist & National Charter Association member
• William Morgan Snr, 55, Allt-yr-Yn, Newport, Farmer and supplied beer to Pontypool Chartists
• Ebenezer Williams, 33, Cardiff Road, Newport, Plasterer and Landlord of the Prince of Wales, Charged with conspiracy but no prosecution
• Elizabeth Powell, 25, Queen’s Street, Newport, Shoemaker
• Mary Hagarty, 19 or 29, Workhouse Stow Hill, Newport, worked in the Workhouse, built a bonfire in a field
• Daniel Tombs, 48, Canal Parade, Newport, Anchor Maker and Blacksmith

 

Chartist Factfile:  Newport, Home of the Vote.

By 1839, thousands of ordinary working families in South Wales had become Chartists by signing The People’s Charter to petition Parliament for six changes to election law, including the right to vote.

The million-signature Charter was taken in procession and presented to Parliament where it was promptly ignored.

The Newport Rising march, with the aim of demanding the release of Chartist prisoners being held at the Westgate Inn, Newport, took place on November 4, 1839.

When  thousands of Chartists arrived at the Westgate at 9am, a trap had already been set, with soldiers lying in wait behind the closed shutters of the Inn.

More than 22 Chartists were shot dead that day, and many more were arrested and sent for trial at Shirehall Monmouth.

Chartist leaders John Frost, Zephaniah Williams and William Jones were sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered.

After widespread public protest, the sentence was changed to transportation for life to a prison colony in Port Arthur, Victoria, Australia.

in 1856 John Frost was granted full pardon and returned home to Newport and a hero’s welcome 16 years later,