PIANO WANTED -- Has anyone got a piano they no longer use and if so would they be willing to donate it to Skenfrith Parish Hall? Kath Jasper is trying to find one for the music and drama activities in the hall. She usually puts on a couple of plays at Christmas time and is hoping this year to do a musical evening. She would be very grateful for any help in finding a piano. Please would you ring Kath on 01600 750361.

LOCAL HISTORY -- At the recent meeting of the Bill Macadam History Group the speaker was Keith Kissack. Mr Kissack has spoken to the group many times before and is always a welcome visitor. He is a fount of knowledge on Monmouth's history and was at one time curator of the Monmouth Museum. On this occasion his subject was 'Monmouth during the First World War' and he based his talk on a book of the same name written by Betty Williams and himself. It was a fascinating talk. The book, too, was most interesting - full of photographs, old advertisements, posters of what was on at the Hippodrome and, at last, Monmouth's Peace Celebrations. These included a march of demobilised and discharged soldiers from Troy Station to the Rolls Hall where they were given a celebratory dinner. The next day there was a public procession through the town, sports on the Chippenham playing field, tea for schoolchildren and a torchlight procession. Finally, on the Monday, there was tea for the aged poor and a public fancy dress ball. Members of the history group were eager to ask questions and make comments after which chairman Alan Jones thanked Mr Kissack and announced the next meeting. This will be at Hilston Park on Friday, February 14, 7.30pm, when the speaker will be Geoff Morgan talking about Tredegar House and the Morgan family.