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After almost seven years since its demolition, Newport’s famous Chartist mural is still sparking interest with prints of the artwork being bought then sent to all corners of the globe.

Kelvin, aged 65, who has raised thousands of pounds for St David’s Hospice Care through the sale of the prints, has added to that tally with an additional £800.

The framed prints are on display and for sale at Arnold’s electrical shop on Skinner Street, Newport.

Composer and musician Kelvin, a Mason who is master of Casnewydd Lodge and honorary organist for the armed forces, friendship and Isca lodges, said: “Interest in the mural remains undimmed. Newport is the birthplace of the vote which is commemorated by the mural and through these prints.

“I am just thrilled that I can keep the memory of the mural alive and also to help raise funds for St David’s Hospice Care which does such fantastic work throughout our community, especially during these difficult times.”

Kelvin thanked Arnold’s Electrical, for maintaining a range of the mural prints, Paula Delaney, of Beechwood Frames, David Mayer, Oliver Budd, Roger Thompson and Phillip Sefton, for their help.

Kris Broome, of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “Kelvin is a truly remarkable supporter of St David’s Hospice Care. Framing and selling the Chartist prints is a brilliant fund raiser for us and the4 art works make an ideal Christmas present too.”

Visit Arnold’s Electrical on Skinner Street to view the Chartist prints and to make a purchase.

St David’s Hospice Care is based in Malpas, Newport. For more information about the charity and how you can help, visit stdavidshospicecare.org .

We have endured the limitations of lock down. We all wash our hands diligently, queue up outside shops, wear masks But for some in our community, it requires all this and an awful lot more besides as they carry out their caring work patients at their end of their lives and their loved ones.

Caroline Roberts is one of those extra special people who have pulled on their PPE and carried on regardless amid the twists and turns over recent long months.

Mum of two teenagers Caroline, a qualified nurse for 21 years working for the past two years with Newport-based St David’s Hospice Care, said: “It’s a demanding job anyway, the pandemic has just made it a bit more so. But we are determined to provide that care no matter what. That’s what we do.”

Caroline, aged 43 and from Caerleon, works in the community caring for end-of-life patients in their homes.

She said: “We visit and support patients in their own home at various stages of their illness. We provide palliative care and give patients support at the end of their life, if that’s what they choose.

“Most of our patients are cancer patients but we have many patients with other illnesses and diseases like end-stage heart failure; end-stage respiratory failure and any disease, any condition that is non-curable and that is treatable.

“We try and support people and keep people as well as we can for as long as we can and then at the end stages of their life to give them support and care at home as well.

“It has obviously been more difficult wearing the personal protective equipment. It makes things really difficult in a job where communication is key to what we do. Hopefully we are still able to give that compassion and get that care across to people.”

Caroline previously worked at Newport’s Royal Gwent Hospital in the haematology unit where she was trained in chemotherapy and palliative care.

“I don’t feel that I am any different from anyone else as such but I’m very aware that people are feeling very isolated out there and I think all of us nurses feel the need to visit our patients as long as it’s safe to do so for them.

“Obviously there have been times where we need to give some telephone support but we try and visit as many patients as we can. We can’t get around the PPE so we just try and communicate and be as kind and compassionate as we can under those circumstances just like every other nurse and doctor going through this.

“Everybody is feeling the demands and pressures of the pandemic for sure and everybody is working out of their skin. District nurses, our GPs, our care homes and care staff out in the community and obviously the hospitals as well, so everybody has been hit hard by this and we’re all just sort of trying to do our best and maintain standards as normal.

“Being a working mum is difficult for lots of people and it is all a juggling act but I’m extremely lucky I’ve got a really supportive family. It’s business as usual really. It is just normal for them for mum to go out and do this job.

“Our focus, our main aim, is just to continue to try and provide the care that people need at home. It is obviously extremely important to us, our patients and their families that we have support and if people can just keep us in mind if they possibly can support us in any way that they can then we’d be so grateful.

“We don’t tend to consider ourselves as special people it’s a job that we love doing and we do get an awful lot back from it. Just being able to help somebody and just treating people how you would like to be treated yourself in those circumstances is always a good benchmark for me.”

Emma Saysell, chief executive officer of St David’s Hospice Care is full of praise for each and everyone of her team.

Emma said: “It’s been an incredibly difficult time for St David’s Hospice Care as I know many people appreciate. I can’t overemphasise how difficult it’s been for our clinical staff working in these truly difficult unprecedented times in an environment that none of us could really have ever imagined we’d be in.

“Our clinical staff are so very dedicated to patients and families that they want to continue to give that care that they’re so good at giving. It’s been so difficult with all the challenges that have faced them regarding all the health and safety issues they face when they into a patient’s home and most certainly in our inpatient unit as well.

“It’s really important in our line of work to make sure that we can communicate effectively with patients and families.

“Just the wearing of a mask brings a real barrier to that and our nurses have adapted amazingly. I think spending more time with patients and families to make sure that they feel supported and understand what’s going on in their lives at this particular time is difficult but so important.

“Obviously we’re really concerned about the safety of our staff. Our health and safety department is working really hard to make sure that we have the correct PPE. I must say that thankfully, with the support from the NHS, we’ve managed to do that.

“The toll it takes on a nurse on a on a day-to-day basis is really quite extreme. Nurses having to move from patient to patient, change all their PPE as they go.

“Nurses can perhaps be with a patient for eight hours overnight and have to wear PPE throughout. It is really challenging and just brings another barrier and another challenge for our staff.

“They are all working extremely hard. They are trying to work differently where they can. I know that our family support team, for example, have managed to find the many virtual platforms in order to support patients and families but ultimately, when a patient who’s reaching the end of their lives needs our support, we need to be there in person. We need to make sure that we’re able to deliver that care which thankfully, because of the dedication of all those staff, we are managing to achieve.

“Our retail and fundraising staff are also working really, really hard now the shops have reopened to try and income generate.

“It’s down to the communities of Gwent that we’ve been able to sustain our financial income, people have been so incredibly generous and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the support they’ve given over recent months. Thank you all.”

The Newport-based hospice normally cares for some 1,200 patients on a daily basis. This number rocketed as the pandemic increased its grip on the community.

Mrs Saysell says Covid-19 meant the hospice faced the biggest challenge in its forty year history.

The hospice needs £8.5m a year to run its range of services including its inpatient hospice and day hospices.

The hospice, which has to fund 70 per cent of its clinical services through its events, which were all cancelled this year due to the pandemic and its shops, closed in lock down and in the firebreak, set up a just giving page in a bid to help fill the gap.

St David’s Hospice Care says its Light up a Life event will be just as poignant as in previous years when many have been held in churches but this year due to the pandemic it will be arranged online.

Kris Broome, of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “We’re delighted that Eddie and Sian have agreed to take part this year in our virtual, online Light Up A Life event which this year is being supported by Newport-based Tovey Brothers.

“We know how important our Light Up a Life services are for family and friends at this time of year so are determined to go ahead with the remembrance event. However, due to the Covid-19 restrictions, we have had to arrange it very differently this year.

“Traditionally Light Up a Life is a series of special events that take place around the UK during November and December each year by the Hospice movement. Families don’t have to have been cared for by the hospice to take part in the events.

“The events are organised to help families and friends to come together to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones. 2020 has been such a traumatic year for everyone and organising services is going to prove extremely difficult due to the government restrictions which are in place.

“We completely understand the importance of Light Up A Life and the significance that our services hold in many of our supporters hearts so we will be holding a virtual event which you will be able to join from wherever suits you with your family or your close friends (bubble). This online service is open to all; anyone who has lost or wants to remember a loved one

“The event will be broadcast online at 7pm on Thursday, December 10 with a host of staff, volunteers and local celebrities reading poems, readings as well as staff members from the Hospice leading the singing for the carols.

“This online service will mean that more people will be able to attend whilst being able to share this special time of remembrance and reflection with family and friends who are separated but can come together as one. Within the service there will be a time of reflection where our nursing staff will read out the names of those to be remembered.”

How it will work

A leaflet will be mailed to supporters together with two memory stars to hang on your Christmas tree at home.

Within the leaflet, there will be an opportunity to list the names of those you would like remembered within the service.

Upon return of the leaflet we ask for a donation to help us provide the vital free work that the Hospice provides. Prior to the service in early December we will notify you of the video link that will be used (The platform will be vimeo)

After the service, all names will be added to the St David’s Hospice Care Online Memory Book.

For more details call 01633 851051 or visit www.tolbc.com/sdhc2020

The October Paul Fosh Auctions sale, which was conducted totally online, generated £4.9m in sales after 88 properties were listed. A total of 72 per cent of the lots were sold. The auction saw 1,050 auction registrations, with 529 registered bidders and 1,651 bids placed with 107,000 site hits in 48 hours attracting visitors to the online auction from 56 different countries.

The next sale starts at noon on Tuesday, December 8 with lots going under the hammer from 5pm on Thursday, December 10.

Flat 6 Rodney House, Millennium Walk, Newport: This top floor modern flat in Newport features an open plan kitchen/lounge with a Juliet balcony, two double bedrooms, and a family bathroom. The property is within walking distance of Newport city centre and also benefits from double glazing, gas central heating and an allocated parking spot. It was sold for £99,000 after 16 bids from two bidders. The original guide price was £90,000.

Cottage rear of 74, King Street, Brynmawr: This stone-built cottage in Brynmawr was sold for more than double its original guide price. The property is in need of full modernisation, but comes with a forecourt, rear yard, and a slate roof covering. After a bidding war of 70 bids from eight bidders, it was eventually sold for £42,250. Its guide price was £18,000.

Flat 7 Wesleyan Church, High Street, Llanhilleth, Abertillery: Selling for just over the guide price, was this flat in a former church. The property features one bedroom, a kitchen, living room, bathroom, and study/office, and is situated close to Llanhilleth’s local amenities and train station. The original guide price was £23,000 and, after 18 bids from four bidders, it sold for £28,750.

The former doctor’s surgery, Leadon Court, Thornhill, Cwmbran: Someone’s patience paid off after they won this former doctor’s surgery. The property was in excellent condition and still in full working order. It has a large car park and had been expected to generate a lot of interest due to its unusual nature and outstanding condition. The original guide price was £135,000 but, after four bidders made 23 bids, it sold for £153,750.

106-107 Lower Dock Street, Newport: Another slightly more unusual property was this spacious period building in the Lower Dock Street area of Newport. It has three floors and a basement, four bathrooms and 21 rooms in total. It had previously been used as a dance studio, but planning has been granted to change the ground floor into mixed use and the upper floors into five flats. The property generated some interest and after 15 bids from four bidders, it eventually passed its guide price of £215,000 to sell for a final price of £237,250.

Although the presentation of accolades to the winners of the categories will be held virtually – none of the glitz and glamour will be lost nor will the acclaim of being a sponsor or winner.

Winners of an 20/21 South Wales Argus Business Awards will follow in the distinguished footsteps of the likes of Professor Simon Gibson, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2019 awards, and those of ground-breaking Chepstow-based Creo Medical Group plc, which was named Business of the Year in 2019.

A number of sponsors are back on board with us again this year and there are opportunites for other businesses to raise their profile by becoming sponsors of these popular awards.

Last time businesses and organisations from across Gwent gathered at the Newport Centre for the awards evening, hosted in association with Newport Now Business Improvement District.

But Covid-19 has put paid to plans for a similar night of celebration, but our virtual awards evening will be no less prestigious or fun.

South Wales Argus managing director Hussain Bayoomi, said: “The South Wales Argus Business Awards are always unique and special but this year we’re offering a chance to be part of a business awards like no other.

“Our awards offer sponsors and businesses an fantastic opportunity to gain massive exposure for themselves on a huge stage. Business leaders and their employees in the region will be able to join us for our on-demand awards broadcast on April 22, 2021, to celebrate the amazing achievements of businesses both large and small from across our area.

“For 2020/21 the physical awards show is being transformed to an on-demand streaming broadcast. The broadcast of the awards evening will held permanently on our website and YouTube.”

The virtual event will be hosted by celebrities, who will provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the award winners who will hear and see their names announced by professional icons from across the business, sporting and entertainment sector.

Hussain said: “Sponsors, also fully immersed in the awards, will through their invaluable support see their profile elevated highlighting their support for the local community. These awards will increase and maintain awareness of your business through the South Wales Argus online platforms, they will inform and introduce potential new customers and equally importantly they will complement your existing advertising and communications strategy.

“There will be three shortlisted finalist announced per category with a single overall winner, chosen by our highly experienced judges. Winners will be presented with their awards by one of our handpicked celebrities.

“Winners will receive a bespoke memento of their success – a coveted South Wales Argus front page heralding their success along with a video clip of their category to use on their own social media.

“A high-quality virtual awards show will honour those leading lights within the business sector. Individuals and teams will feature in our one-off on-demand broadcast which will be permanently hosted on the South Wales Argus website.

“We’ve recruited nationally recognised celebrities, recognised movers and shakers renowned in their fields to work with us to create life-long memories for all those short listed across the categories.

“The South Wales Argus Business Awards 2020/21 are set to be the biggest and best yet.

“So get on board and be prepared to be immersed in an awards experience like no other-it’ll be simply the best and we want you, sponsors and nominees to be with us every step of the way on this pioneering journey to uncover innovation and excellence in business.”

Why sponsorship is so important

Sponsors play a vital role in the success of the South Wales Argus Business Awards.

Many of our sponsors have been with us ever since the awards were first launched.

One of these is Newport-based financial services business Kymin.

Managing director Robin Hall sums up the ethos behind supporting the awards by saying: “We are proud to be a sponsor in this year’s awards.

“It is extremely important to encourage and help small businesses to thrive as they are the backbone of the UK economy.

“It is important for businesses to sponsor and support and individuals to enter awards such as this.

“Obviously, it can be seen as a celebration of what you and your business has achieved but not only that it can raise your profile and provide great publicity for the firm.”

Peter James, of Cintec International, came on board as a sponsor after his business won Innovative Business of the Year at the inaugural awards in 2018. Last year Cintec, which is based at Gold Tops in Newport, sponsored the Lifetime Achievement Award and this year it is supporting the Environmental Business of the Year Award.

Peter said: “Having started a business on my own I understand the many challenges you face when building a company in order to achieve success.”

Western Power Distribution is another business which has been with us since our first awards in 2018.

WPD sponsors the Innovative Business of the Year.

Karen Welch, of WPD, said: “We believe the awards are a fitting way to recognise businesses and to celebrate their success, innovation and talent.

“The awards are an ideal way for businesses and individuals to promote themselves, raising their profiles by showcasing their talents. The awards also provide an opportunity for entrants to measure themselves against similar businesses.”

Androulla Webb, of Icon Creative Design (another previous winner) which sponsors the Young Entrepreneur Award, said: “Starting your own business can be challenging but very rewarding.

“These awards are a great way to raise your profile and get your story heard. It is also a fantastic marketing opportunity as the Argus reaches a wide audience across south east Wales.”

Kingsway Centre, a joint sponsor of the Customer Service Award with Friars Walk since our first awards, said: “Sponsoring the Customer Service award acknowledges the value and importance that this element of care has while at the same time crediting the hard work that staff put in day in day out.

“Sharing good news is positive; although we consider excellent service as the norm, sometimes there are occasions when staff go above and beyond. An award is a great acknowledgement, a nod to a particular person or people who have real impact on how we perceive customer service.”

And Simon Pullen, of Friars Walk, said: “”More than anything, these awards should be a motivating factor for any individual that works in customer service.

“It gives each and every one of us something to strive towards in our daily working life and with how important customer service is in business, being in a position to point to awards is a great commodity.

“We should all endeavour to be best in class and to achieve that in front of your fellow colleagues and peers is a very special feeling.

“For any business, strong, positive, recognition is important and is often the point of difference when it comes to selling its product to a deciding customer.

“If a business is recognised for its service and its quality, it naturally gives it an advantage in the market over its competitors.”

Laura Harvey, of Monmouthshire Building Society, which sponsors the Contribution to the Community Award, said: “The society feels strongly about supporting local initiatives, and was pleased to be involved with the community award.

“Supporting the communities around our heartlands is so important for us.

“These kinds of awards are important for businesses and individuals as everyone is so busy day to day that we often forget to take time to celebrate the great work being done. They are a fantastic way to celebrate everything that is great about the businesses and individuals working in and around Gwent.”

Categories and sponsors

The 2020/21 categories and their sponsors are:

Lead sponsosor and Business of the Year: TBC

Innovative Business of the Year: Western Power Distribution

Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Icon Creative Design

Lifetime Achievement Award: TBC

Family Business of the Year Award: Azets

Large Business of the Year: RDP Law

Small Business of the Year: Kymin

Start Up Business of the Year Award: TBC

Contribution to the Community Award: Monmouthshire Building Society

Customer Service Award: Friars Walk and Kingsway Centre

Training and Development Business of the Year: Solo

Best BID Business of the Year: Newport Now Business Improvement District

Environmental Business of the Year: Cintec International

Hospitality Business of the Year: TBC

Digital Technology Business of the Year: Newport City Council

Awards timeline

Launch: October 2020

Entry closing date: February 6, 2021

Judging: February 24, 2021 at midday

Finalists supplement: March 8, 2021

On-demand awards broadcast: Thursday, April 22, 2021

Winners supplement: w/c April 26, 2021

The entries website will be launching soon. Keep an eye out for more details.

The 24-year-old Bangor University marketing graduate admits the current climate for launching Sizzle Marketing is ‘unique’ but remains confident that his offering will enable businesses to emerge with strength from the pandemic and beyond.

Sam, who has a master’s degree in Business and Marketing, said: “Now is certainly a unique time to launch a business, but it’s also a perfect time for an innovative business-like Sizzle to really take off and make an impact.

“Marketing is a highly important function for businesses and something that cannot be put on hold. Companies who invest in their marketing strategy will be best placed to succeed not only now, but when we come out on the other side of this pandemic.”

The former St Albans School, Pontypool, student who is based at Torfaen’s Mamhilad Park Estate, was previously employed by owners Johnsey Estates to market the business park.

He said: “There are some great marketing agencies out there. However, we like to make the distinction that Sizzle is a marketing consultancy, not an agency. We make it simple: we are focused on being the marketing department for your business. You will have all of the benefits of a marketing department, without the added responsibility and costs that would come with hiring a full-time marketing employee.”

“You can focus on the day-to-day running of your organisation, while we work on keeping your marketing sizzling in the background.”

As well as marketing developing customised marketing strategies, Sizzle Marketing also specialises in social media management, social media ads, Google ads, search engine optimisation, print and design, photography and video, PR and content and web development.

Adam will join South Wales Argus editor Gavin Thompson and Western Power Distribution’s Karen Welch on the panel of judges. WPD is sponsoring the event.

GLC, who’ve released 24 albums over 20 years, recently revealed a seasonal record Covid Christmas rapped to the tune of Slade’s ubiquitous yuletide smash Merry Christmas Everyone.

Adam told the Argus: “I’m always interested in what local talent we have in Gwent and believe in supporting our home-grown future stars. Amanda Holden does it regularly and I don’t really know what she did to qualify for the position apart from going out with Les Dennis.

“Gwent has always produced plenty of talent, so I am hoping we see some really good entrants. I’d love to see a hip-hop granny in all honesty, and I’d give extra points if her teeth don’t fall out.”

The competition encourages people of all talents to enter, be it singing, dancing, performing magic, or telling jokes just as an example.

He said: “Talent comes in many forms but it’s about doing something unique in my opinion. I’d love to see my mother jumping over 14 double-deckers on a unicycle in a ball of flames but maybe I’m asking too much.

“I will be looking for someone who is unique and brings something special to their audition. I don’t mind what they do as long as it is memorable.”

The winner and two runners up will take home a cash prize of £500, £200, and £100 respectively.

Adam said: “I won’t be entering the contest, but I heard GLC’s Graham the Bear is really good at break dancing so hopefully he can enter on our behalf as long as his gout doesn’t flair up again.

“There is absolutely no chance in this world I would’ve won this competition. To be honest I’d struggle to win a meat raffle.”

WPD’s Karen Welch said: “This will no doubt be a fun and amazing event and we would urge all the talented people of Gwent to sign up to it, and help raise vital funds for St David’s Hospice Care.”

Gwent’s Got Talent is entirely based online, so entrants are asked to send in a video of their talent, along with a £10 donation to St David’s Hospice Care, by November 13.

Final judging will take place on November 19, where the final decision on winners will be made.

Instructions on how and where to submit your video will be supplied with the email confirmation upon entering. Videos should be up to five minutes in length.

All proceeds raised by Gwent’s Got Talent will go towards the continued work of St David’s Hospice Care nurses who provide palliative care to patients and support for their loved ones at a very difficult time.

St David’s Hospice Care needs more than £9m a year to run its services for the local community. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic fundraising has been severely curtailed.

For more information, and to enter the talent show, visit: www.stdavidshospicecare.org/event-details/gwents-got-talent

Paul Fosh auctions have give the surgery, which is still in working order, a guide price of £135,000.

Sean Roper, who is handling the sale for Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “We have never sold a former doctor’s surgery in this kind of excellent condition before.

“Other surgeries we have sold in the past have been put up for auction due to their age, in this case it was simply because of a dissolved partnership.”

The former surgery comprises an entrance lobby, reception/waiting area, four consultation rooms, baby changing room, a toilet and a disabled toilet, boiler room, kitchen, and a large car park.

Mr Roper said: “The property would be ideal for anything medical related, such as a veterinarian practice or beautician.

“It could also be redeveloped to be used as a communal residential building, such as a care home. Subject to obtaining the right planning consent, of course.”

Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions is now operating its auctions completely online.

The next online Paul Fosh Auctions sale, when this lot will be offered along with some 82 others, is on Thursday, October 22 starting at 5pm, with bids being registered from midday on Tuesday, October 20.

For details visit paulfoshauctions.com

Buyers and sellers are advised to contact the office number, 01633 254044, or email info@paulfoshauctions.com with any questions they may have.