February 2001

February 2001

March 2001>>

MARJORIE EVANS
The case of Caldicot headteacher Marjorie Evans has become bogged down in legal battles. Mrs Evans remains suspended pending disciplinary hearings, even though all criminal charges against her have been dropped. Mrs Evans, backed by the National Union of Teachers, is seeking an injunction preventing school governors at St Mary's Junior School from continuing the suspension. The case continues.

MITEL NAME CHANGE
The communications systems division of Mitel has been renamed Mitel Networks Corporation after being bought by its founder and previous owner, Terry Matthews. Mr Matthews will be the sole shareholder. The semiconductor division, which shares the factory site on the outskirts of Caldicot, remains with its previous owners.

ARSON SUSPECTED
Arson is suspected following serious damage to the roof of a Grade II listed barn in Church Road Caldicot. Four or five youths in school uniform were seen running from the building at the time of the fire.

NEW CROSSING 'THREATENS SHOP'
Plans to build a pedestrian crossing on the B4245 at West End, Caldicot, threatens the future of the nearby fish and chip shop, according to its owner. James Harris, owner of Battersby's, claims that parking restrictions near the new crossing will ruin his business. Five hundred of his customers have signed a petition against the crossing.

WELSH CUP WALKOUT
Caldicot Town Football Club has been involved in a fierce row with the Football Association of Wales, which has led to the club declaring that it will never again play in the Welsh Cup. The row developed after Caldicot town were drawn against Llanfair PG in the fourth round of the competition. The first match was played at Bangor City because the Llanfair ground was 'unavailable', but was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch. When Llanfair's ground was again declared 'unavailable' for the rematch, Caldicot Town offered to play the game on its own ground. Caldicot officials believed that the 'unavailability' was an attempt to cover the fact that the north Wales club's ground was not up to the standards required by the FAW for entry into the competition, and refused to play at Bangor on principle. The FAW initially sided with Caldicot but reversed its decision after an appeal, leaving Caldicot out of the competition and fuming with rage.