LOOKING back on some of the stories the Gazette has reported through the years...

September 1977

A PAIR of 50-year-old houses in High Street, Wick, one of which suffered seriously from subsidence, was set to be demolished.

Northavon housing committee, which owns the homes, number 135 and 137, agreed they should be replaced, possibly with a block of four flats.

Director of technical service, Charles Frost, told the committee repairs to the property would cost £5,000.

The front wall had moved outwards, the foundations being quite inadequate by modern standards and repairs would mean putting in new foundations, he said.

He added that the land was a comparatively large area and if redeveloped by building flats, would fulfil a need for small homes in the area.

A proposed flat scheme would cost £40,000.

September 1987

A THORNBURY man survived an 80-foot fall and was lowered down Wyntours Leap in the Forest of Dean in a dramatic rescue by land and water.

David Webb, 27, of Wharfdale, was walking a narrow footpath in the Broadwalk area of the forest, when he slipped and fell.

The incident was reported to Swansea coastguard who called out Gwent ambulance service and the Severn Area Rescue Association boat from Beachley Slip at Chepstow.

Co-ordinating the rescue from the clifftop was association chairman Jim Hewitt, who led a team of 15 including a doctor working from the top and base of Wyntours Leap.

“He was remarkably lucky,” said Mr Hewitt. “We suspected he had a fractured wrist and arm.”

The rescuers had an easy walk down to Mr Webb on the slope, from where they were able to lower him on a stretcher down to the boat on the River Wye.