Here's the stories making the Free Press headlines in 1936

January 27 1936

Amazing escape of motor-cyclist at Abergavenny

A MOTOR-cyclist’s overall caught fire when his machine burst into flames at Abergavenny on Saturday night-but he escaped without a burn or injury.

The cyclist was John Jenkins of Llanellen. The accident happened in a crowded part of Frogmore Street. For some time traffic was held up, and there was great excitement. Jenkins was riding his machine in the direction of the monument when Albert Thomas, an engine driver of Bridge Cottages, Llanfoist, stepped into the road to let two women pass. As he did so he caught the handle-bar of the cycle.

Jenkins was knocked off the machine and the motor-cycle burst into flames. Flaming petrol ran into the gutter, but these flames and the motor-cycle fire were quickly extinguished. P.S Howells and P.C Germaine were quickly on the scene and rendered assistance.

Thomas injured his hand and received face abrasions.

Plan to stop Floods

The scheme to prevent floods at Monmouth is approaching completion, and the River Wye Catchment Board have decided to hold a special private meeting in February to place the scheme of works before the fishery and other interests concerned.

At a meeting of the board of Hereford the Southern Works Committee reported that the scheme covered the Wye from Monmouth County Bridge to Redbrook Railway Bridge, and the Monnow from its confluence with the Wye upstream to Castle Hill. The scheme was divided into two stages, the first consisting of two parts and the second of three parts.

Super Cinema for Chepstow

Plans for a super cinema at Chepstow were submitted to the Chepstow Urban District Council on Monday evening and referred to the Works and Housing Committee. It is to be constructed to the rear of the Beaufort Hotel.

The Surveyor, Mr J W Jeffries, stated that the plans had been deposited by Messrs, Beauchamp and Enoch Williams, owners of Beachley –Aust ferry, and this expenditure involved would probably amount to between £8,000 and £10,000. Several points arose, but the matter was urgent and it was desired to go ahead. The promoters wished to see the cinema completed by September. The plans were referred to the Works Committee.

Bathing Spoils Fishing

The question of bathing is the river, and the effect it had upon low water catches, was raised by Colonel Thompson, Newport a new member, at a meeting of Usk Board of Conservators at Abergavenny.

Colonel Thompson maintained that river bathing spoiled the low water catches, and he asked if anything could be done. The Clerk (Mr H.S Lyne) said that river bathing was a very difficult question to deal with. If any individual had his fishing seriously damaged by bathing he had his remedy. The remedy was against the person bathing. Captain J D Evans said the matter had been before the National Association of Fishery Boards but they could not say any more than the Clerk had said.

Mr Sweet, of Usk, pointed out that they could prove that fishing at Usk, had been damaged definitely by bathing. People who could not fish in the daytime had found the evening rises absolutely spoiled. Wilful damage had also been done to the hut and boat at Usk, and it had been suggested that an Usk fishing owners association be formed.

Farm Blaze at Govilon

The breaking of a cord to which were attached a number of clothes, caused a fire at Cadver Farm, Govilon. The clothes were drying over an anthracite stove, and when the cord broke, some of them fell on the stove and caught fire. The fire spread and furniture in the room was also involved. Mr Brian Criddle, who lives at the farm, promptly dealt with the outbreak, which was extinguished before the arrival of Abergavenny Fire Brigade. The fire is estimated to have caused damage amounting to about £12.