Newspaper extracts for Usk

There are many references to this area in the 15 million Welsh and English language articles from Welsh newspapers transcribed by the NLW and viewable on Welsh Newspapers Online
Below are English language articles that have been re-transcribed and extracted randomly to illustrate what is available, there are many that are not extracted here that include names of local people

•  From the Monmouthshire Merlin 29th June 1877

USK. THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL—On Monday evening a meeting was held at the Town-hall, Usk, under the presidency of his Honour, Judge Falconer, to consider the provisions of the proposed new scheme which the Endowed Schools' Commissioners had sent down. The Chairman having given a full and lengthy account of the school for many years back, stated that the Usk Grammar School, with an income of only £100, could not possibly compete with the Monmouth Grammar School, which had an income of £ 2,500. He had been informed that morning that a memorial had been hawked through the town, in a mean way, against the new scheme in question. (Shame.) Why did not the promoters of that memorial do their work in a manly and open way, by calling a meeting and explaining their views? (Hear, hear.) His Honour then reviewed the new scheme, and pronounced it a really good one.-Colonel G. R. G. Relph went over the various provisions of the scheme, dwelling at considerable length on those parts of it which were considered to be of great interest to all. The school, in his opinion, had been badly conducted, but if the new scheme were adopted, it would never again fall into such a state. .....(part extract)......

•  From the South Wales Daily News (Third Edition) 18th August 1899

USK. Flower Show.—The Horticultural and Cottage Garden Society held their first annual exhibition on Wednesday in the grounds of the Usk Cricket Club. Prizes to the value of £40 were offered, and an admirable collection of exhibits was the result. A large number of visitors attended.

•  From the Weekly Mail 30th October 1880

USK. ELECTION OF PORTREEVE.—A meeting of burgesses was held in the vestry last week for the purpose of electing a portreeve for the ensuing year, Mr. John Farmer Powell, the present portreeve, having declined a renewal of the honour. Mr. Thomas Watkins, solicitor, was unanimously elected, and the court leet was fixed for Thursday next.

• From the Weekly Mail 6th September 1884

USK. MONTHLY STOCK MARKET.—This market was held on Monday, and was largely attended by buyers and sellers. There was a quantity of fat and store cattle on offer, and some changed hands. There were a great many sheep penned. The market was well stocked with pigs. Mr. William Mayberry, auctioneer, Usk, held an auction, near the Three Salmons Hotel, of cattle and sheep, some of which were disposed of at a low figure. The following are the quotations;- Beef, 8d. to 10d,; mutton, 8½d. to 10½d.; pork, 10s. 6d. per score.

•  From the Weekly Mail 9th June 1883

USK. USK AND EBBW BOARD OF CONSERVATORS. The annual report to the Usk and Ebbw Board of Conservators for the year 1882 Stated that, notwithstanding the additional expense thrown on the board by the outrages on water bailiffs in Breconshire, the balance in hand was slightly increased, from £355 l1s. 2d. at the close of 1881 to £359 13s. 9d. at the close of 1832.

• From the  Monmouthshire Merlin 14th July 1849

USK. BIBLE SOCIETY. On Wednesday, the 4th instant, the annual meeting of the Auxiliary Bible Society, for this district, was held here. The chair was taken, and was well filled, by W. A. Williams, Esq., of Llangibby Castle. Tiie object of the meeting was impressively stated by the worthy Chairman; after which. the Rev. J. Shepard, the secretary, read the report of the auxiliary, which was not so encouraging as last year's, and which contained some urgent considerations to make up the deficiency. .....(part extract)......

•  From the Monmouthshire Merlin 22nd January 1859

USK. A lecture was delivered at the Writing School, on Wednesday last, on "Civilization and its Tendencies," by the Rev. W. D. Horwood, incumbent of St. James's, Pontypool. The lecture was given in connection with the Mechanics' Institute, and the Rev. W. H. Wrenford, B.A., occupied the chair.

•  From the Monmouthshire Merlin 4th June 1852

USK- MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.—G. H. G. Relph, Esq., of Beech- hill, has kindly presented to the Institute of this place, thirty-four volumes of Knights' Library of useful knowledge. We regret that but 36 members avail themselves of the literary advantages of this institution, which should have been more extensively supported by the young men, tradesmen, and others, of the town.

AN UNGASED TOWN .—It does not argue much for the wisdom of the inhabitants of Usk, in this enlightened century, that they refuse a yearly rate ol about 3d. in the pound, to provide the town with public lights, notwithstanding that a private company have been spirited enough to provide a superior gas works, at a cost of about £1,200 to themselves. We trust our excellent friends of Usk will be on the alert to remove this cause of discredit from their otherwise fair repute.

•  From the Monmouthshire Merlin 11th June 1852

USK- THE FAIR.-On Monday, which was also the monthly market day, the fair took place; but the incessant down- pouring of rain from morning to night, prevented both the attendance of sellers and buyers to a large extent. It is generally remarked, however, that of late, fairs have not been so well attended as formerly. The farmers do not appear disposed to get rid of their stock and cattle, as they used to whether because there may be a scarcity at present, or for what other reason, is not very plain. The little that was on sale in the fair, fetched about the following prices, per lb -beasts, from 4d. to 5½d. calves, 4½ to 5d. sheep, 4½d. to 5½d. and lambs from 6d. to 6½d. Sales were languid; and there was not a great exchange of cash for animals.

• From the  Monmouthshire Merlin 12th July 1856

USK. SOIREE. AT THE CASTLE OF USK. On the evening of the 9th lnst., the Usk Mechanics' Institute afforded their friends and the public an excellent opportunity of spending a delightful evening at the picturesque ruins of Usk Castle,, and which, wa are glad to say, was proved to be one alike received and enjoyed by all who were present. Nearly one thousand ladies and gentlemen from the Usk neighbourhood, and the towns of Abergavenny, Pontypool, Monmouth, and Newport, were supposed to have assembled there. .....(part extract)......

• From the Monmouthshire Merlin 27th October 1860

USK. THE EIGHTH MONMOUTHSHIRE (OR USK AND RAGLAN) VOLUNTEER RIFLES.—On Saturday afternoon last, at two o'clock, the corps assembled in front of the Town Hall, Usk, and after being proved, started on a march for Raglan, five and a half miles distant, where they halted in front of the entrance to the magnificent ruins of the celebrated castle. On their arrival, they were met by the lady of the Hon James Fitzwalter Clifford Butler, the captain, and her father, Col. Clifford, M.P., before whom they went through various movements. Through the extreme kindness of Mr. Cuxson, the warder of the castle, they were permitted to march through the ruins onto the extensive green on the left of the entrance, where they halted, and presented arms, the juvenile drum and fife band (for the first time appearing in uniform) playing the national anthem.    .....(part extract)......

• From the Monmouthshire Merlin 25th May 1867

USK. DISGRACEFUL SCENE IN A CHURCH.—On Sunday morning last, the parish church of Usk was the scene of great excitement, consequent upon one of the church. wardens, of the name of Thomas, attempting to thrust a parishioner from a seat which he endeavoured to occupy in opposition to the wishes of the churchwardens. Since the re-pewing of the church many years hence, the appropriation has never been satisfactorily carried out, and annoyances have very frequently arisen among the inhabitants. On the present occasion the disturbance was occasioned by the churchwardens appropriating a pew which had for many years been attached to an old residence in the town known by the name of Tymawr, or "The Great House," and occupied by the tentnts of that house, to a baker in the town of the name of Parker. In order to keep possession of the pew for the last named person, the churchwarden has been in the habit for some weeks of going half a hour or so before the service commenced, and guarding the pew from intrusion from the tenants of the Great House On Sunday last, one of the tenants attempted to enter the pew, but finding Thomas keeping guard, he stepped over the back from the adjoining seat. An altercation then ensued, and a struggle took place between the parties,    .....(part extract)......

•  From the Monmouthshire Merlin 8th April 1848

USK. CHORAL SOCIETY.—We are gratified to hear of the formation of the above society in the town of Usk. Among the persons taking parts in the class, we find some of the leading ladies and gentlemen of the place. A second class is also being instructed in the Hullah system, and is rapidly progressing under the management of Mr. Wastfield, organist, of Usk, of whose talents in music we have frequently had occasion to speak in noticing the various classes under his superintendence throughout the county. The two classes number upwards of eighty pupils.

USK GRAMMAR SCHOOL -This school, which has for several years been on the decline, we have the pleasure of stating, is now put in a fair way of being conducted in a manner which will be likely to prove beneficial to the town and neighbourhood of Usk. Memorials from the several parishes interested in the will of the late Mr. Roger Edwards, having been presented to the trustees, suggesting that writing should be taught in the Grammar School, the trustees, after giving the subject due consideration, decided upon adopting the proposition in consideration of a trifling capitation fee being paid for the additional instruction. The tuition now given at the Grammar School will include a first rate classical and commercial education. All children admitted on the foundation will be required to learn Latin—Families residing in Usk and the neighbouring panshes, not having to claim on the charity, will also have an opportunity of getting their children educated in a superlor manner in the school, at a low charge.

• From the  Monmouthshire Merlin 7th July 1838

USK. This truly national and cheering event was celebrated in Usk with every demonstration of loyalty and affection towards our young and beloved Queen. The much esteemed and amiable family of Nicholl originated the festivities by a liberal subscription, and we should not do justice to the inhabitants if we were not to express our testimony to their good feelings for coming forward so handsomely to be merry and wise on the happy day. At an early hour on Thursday morning the inhabitants were roused from their slumbers by the ringing of bells and firing of guns, and every thing indicated a joyous jubilee, all classes uniting to give eclát to the scene— every eye beamed pleasure, and every Briton felt a conscious pride that he could say with his Queen-"I was bred and born a Briton." The shops were closed, and all business suspended. The Usk band (newly formed) struck up the national anthem at the house of the Portreeve, Mr. Shepard, who, with the members of the corporation and gentlemen that were in attendance, went in procession to the Town Hall. The procession of children of all denominations of schools, as it passed through the crowd, presented an agreeable sight, and created an association of ideas the mind loves to cherish. The children (nearly 300) dined at the National School, and about 200 men and women were regaled in the Town Hall-the different gentlemen and tradesmen of the town presiding, and every thing was carried on with order and satisfaction.    .....(part extract)......