MONDAY, June 21, 1937

l Monmouthshire R.E.S In Camp

Men of the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (M.) S.R., on Sunday entrained for Weymouth, where a camp is being held.

Sections from Newport, Monmouth, Pontypool, Aberbargoed and Treharris in camp.

The Commanding Officer is Lieutenant-Colonel G. Low. The total strength of the unit is about 350. The training includes pontoon bridging on the River Fleet.

l Church Fete at Portskewett - No-one Could Guess the Rector’s Weight

Guessing the weight of the Rector, the Rev. Jacob Ware, was among the competitions arranged at Portskewett Church Fete on Saturday, held in aid of the Church Hall Building Fund.

The Rector’s weight proved to be 11 stone 9 lbs 4 ozs, but none of his parishioners guessed correctly. Those who were nearest in their guesses were Mrs. Paynter, Mrs. S. Spencer, Mrs. W. H. Richards and Mr. E. Richards, all of whom estimated the Rector’s weight to be 11 stone 9 lbs.

The fete was opened by Lady Bradney, who referred to the family associations with the district. There was dancing by the schoolchildren, and members of Caldicot Club gave a physical display.

l Gwent Teachers - Monmouth Will Give a Civic Reception

Mr. J. Close presided at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Monmouthshire County Teachers’ Association at Newport.

Miss. F. E. Allen, Blaina, and Mr. W. J. Robbins, Abertillery, were appointed representatives on the Abertillery Juvenile Welfare Association.

The Secretary, Mr. J. M. James, reported that Dr. Tom Jones, Rhymney, would be the guest of honour at the annual dinner to be held in November.

The half-yearly meetings of the Association will be held at Monmouth on Saturday, September 25, when an address will be given by Mr. Pattern, the President of the Union. The Association will be given a civic reception by the Mayor of Monmouth, the Rev. W. Owen Jones.

l Chepstow Urban Protest - Full-time Medical Officer

Chepstow Urban District Council are to make a strong protest against the proposed scheme under which they are to be amalgamated with Chepstow Rural, Caerleon and Magor and St. Mellons as one of six new county districts with a whole-time medical officer. Three others, Abergavenny, Usk and Monmouth are to have part-time officers.

The Clerk, Mr. Godfrey Evill, estimated that the effect would be to increase the cost to the Council from £30 to approximately £106 per annum.

After reading correspondence, the Clerk said it was proposed to pay the new officers £300 a year. The Rural District Council, who would be asked to pay £225, were also lodging an objection.

The Chairman, Mr. D. H. Davies, said the present arrangements were perfectly satisfactory, and they did not want them to be disturbed.

Mr. Clifford Thomas thought the craze for centralisation was going to far, and they had an example of that in the abolition of Boards of Guardians.

It was resolved to continue the protest, and a sub-committee were appointed to attend any conference of the councils affected.

Consideration was also given to a letter saying they had submitted a scheme to the Minister of Health for the provision of adequate hospital accommodation.