 |
| That drop goal! |
If you are from Newport and have even the faintest amount of knowledge
about Rugby in the town then when some says ‘Three Nil’ to you then you knowthat they are talking about. A significant Rugby event took place 50 years
ago today at Rodney Parade. Arguably one of the best All Black sides of all time
were beaten 3 : 0 by Newport at a packed Rodney Parade. A superb drop goal by
21-year-old centre John 'Dick' Uzzell (in the 17th minute) made history, and inflicted the only defeat in a
36 match All Black tour. Newport have also beaten South Africa and Australia but for
many it was that stunning Wednesday victory that added probably the greatest
moment in the club's 139-year history. Any of my Kiwi, Australian or South
African friends and flat mates who came down for the weekend (when I was living
in London) always ended up on the
receiving end of the appropriate Newport rugby tale from my Mother, whether
they were into the game or not. Long may
the memories be held and the tales told and retold of that glorious day...
 |
| Save Stow Hill Library |
To All Lovers of Libraries Everywhere and especially Stow
Hill Library, Newport. I am the author of The Pubs of Newport, The Newport
Kaleidoscope and Newport Rugby Greats as well as a number of other books
including The Ghosts of Gwent, The Folklore of Gwent, The Music of Fair
Tongues, Unknown Gwent, The Life of Johnny Basham and The Dragon
Entertains.
I am appalled at Newport City Council's decision to
close down Stow Hill and regard this as, at worst, an act of cultural vandalism
or, at best, misguided. Librararies are food for the soul and drink for the
mind and Stow Hill is no exception. It is used by senior citizens, (one lady
confided in me that she has been visiting Stow Hill for 75 years), school
children, ethnic minorities, mothers with toddlers and all sections of the
local community and further afield. To close it would be not just a blow to to
the local area which has suffered enough in recent years with the loss of its
banks, bakery, butcher's, greengrocer's and post office but to the whole of the
city.
I note also that Maindee Library has been reprieved
which is very pleasing, but why just Maindee, why not keep both Stow Hill and
Maindee open? I urge all lovers of books to support me and other like minded
people in our efforts to keep Stow Hill Library open.
Please contact the Leader of Newport City Council,
Councillor Bob Bright at: bob.bright@newport.gov.uk , or by phone, Newport 656
656, or by post, c/o The Civic Centre, Newport and communicate to him your
concerns.
Thank you in advance for all your help and support.
Save our Library!
Alan Roderick
