News - October 2007

October 2007

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CALDICOT TREAURES ‘TAKEN’
Town councillor Tony Easson has complained that many of the treasures belonging to Caldicot Castle have been taken away by Monmouthshire County Council for ‘safe keeping’. He referred specifically to rare Indian textiles that were on display in Chepstow Museum, and stated that these, ‘along with many more artifacts taken away over time’ should be returned to the castle.

PARENTS STEP UP SEARCH FOR MISSING SON
The parents of James Nutley, who disappeared in Tenby three years ago, have returned to the town to put up more posters calling for information about him. The reward has been increased from £5,000 to £10,000. A video podcast featuring James has been issued by the Missing People charity and his case will feature on a BBC TV programme Missing in the new year. Anyone with information should phone the Missing People confidential service on 0800 700 700.

COMPLAINTS GO DOWN AS BARRIERS GO UP
Monmouthshire County Council is seeking local opinion on the barriers which have been erected across the entrance to Caldicot Castle Country Park. The barriers were originally installed for a six-week trial period, which ended on 11 October, with the aim of restricting vehicle access at night and thereby cutting incidents of vandalism and anti-social behavior in the park. County Councillor Bob Greenland, council member for countryside, stated that although the barriers were “very inconvenient”, complaints about anti-social behavior and litter in the park had “almost disappeared” since they were erected.

FESTIVAL JAZZES UP THE TOWN
The 6th Caldicot Jazz Festival was attended by about 100 people. The event, which was held at the leisure centre over a three day period, featured eight bands, including the Caldicot School Big band, and a number of workshops.

PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ‘NOT SAFE’
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association have complained that the pedestrian crossing at Sandy Lane is unsafe for visually-impaired people to use. The issue was raised at a meeting of Caldicot town council by local resident Laura Wilson, who is visually-impaired. The GDBA is supporting her call for a pelican light-controlled crossing to be installed.

CALDICOT LOWEST FOR DRINK-RELATED VIOLENT CRIME
Figures released by Gwent Police state that, within their area, 12% of violent crimes against the person where alcohol is a factor were committed in Caldicot. The list was headed by Chepstow (47%), then Abergavenny (21%), followed by Monmouth (20%).

MP CONDEMNS CLOSURE OF CASH COUNTER
Member of Parliament Jessica Morden has called for cash counters for the payment of council tax and other bills to be reopened at Caldicot and other Monmouthshire County Council ‘One Stop Shops’ in the county. She stated: ‘Closing the office in Caldicot is a false economy’, pointing out that Monmouthshire already has council tax arrears of £3.6 million, the largest amount per household in the whole of Wales. Her call was supported by Assembly Member John Griffiths. MCC member for finance, Phil Murphy, replied that fewer people were paying by cash, making it more expensive to collect tax in this way, and that people could pay by direct debit, credit card over the phone and over the internet.

HOUSE PRICE WATCH
The cheapest property advertised in the local press for sale in Caldicot at the end of October 2007 was a two-bedroom mid-link in Estuary View at £142,000. The most expensive property was a four-bedroom detached house in Heol Teifi at £279,000.