PART two of our review of the year sees us take a look at the main stories that hit the headlines from July through to December.

JULY

QUICK thinking shop staff were praised for their actions in saving a man's life.

Employees at Tesco on Terra Nova Way found a man slumped in the front seat of his car, blue in the face, motionless and "minutes from death."

Nathan Edwards who was part of the team said it had been a "horrifying" experience but that the first aiders were fantastic.

FRESH calls were made by opponents to a travellers' site being set up.

Councillors called for the Vale to remove the group who were illegally occupying the site following the decision of the Welsh Government planning inspector to throw the proposed designated site out of the council's local development plan.

Councillor Bob Penrose said they were thinking about the health and safety concerns for the travellers associated with the site, particularly in relation to potential flooding issues.

THOUSANDS of people attended Carnival Day in Penarth.

The all day event is the climax of the town's summer festival and included some old favourites such as the parade and downhill derby.

There were also classic cars on display as well as stalls along the seafront and entertainment on the cliff top before a large firework display rounded the day off.

A FUNDRAISING appeal was launched to raise money for a new boat for Penarth RNLI.

The station announced it was looking to raise £52,000 for the new D Class by early 2018 to help it to continue saving people in peril at sea.

Olympian Hannah Mills was on hand to help launch the appeal which has since received the official backing of the Penarth Times through our campaign.

AUGUST

SULLY Library officially became the first community run facility of its kind in the Vale.

Control was handed over by the Vale to a group of volunteers as part of the council's plans to turn five libraries in the county into community run services.

Councillor Lis Burnett said she was "delighted" to see the library handed over to such an "enthusiastic" and "determined" group.

A MOTHER was brutally attacked by a gang of youths on a Penarth street.

Alicia Forsey was left with a broken eye socket after the assault as she was buying chips from a shop on Cornerswell Road.

Miss Forsey said she was trying to stay positive but that the incident had "knocked her quite a bit."

A FAMOUS television star popped in to Penarth in August.

Eva Longoria of Desperate Housewives was in south Wales shooting a new film.

She visited the team at Restaurant James Sommerin who said it was "lovely" to meet her and that she was "down to earth."

HANNAH Mills won gold in the sailing at the Olympic games in Rio.

The Dinas Powys woman won with her sailing partner Saskia Clarke in the 470 class.

She had previously won silver in London and she said "nothing could beat this for me."

SEPTEMBER

A PETITION calling for a ban on a Penarth Pier business from selling ice cream gained lots of support.

Nicola Sullivan of Nicola's Juice Bar said the ban was outrageous particularly as other businesses were allowed to.

She said that she had been there for 11 years and is the only business open all year round.

CONTROVERSY erupted after proposals were made which if implemented would see Penarth and Barry become part of the same constituency.

The ideas floated by the Boundary Commission for Wales would see Penarth become part of a Vale of Glamorgan East constituency.

Stephen Doughty, current Cardiff South and Penarth MP said the proposals were "flawed."

PLANS for a £75,000 revamp of a park were put out for consultation with the community.

The Vale announced it was looking for residents' views into proposed improvements to Wordsworth Park.

The plan involved upgrading the play area and entrance and planting a wildflower area.

A ROYAL visitor came to town to mark a special anniversary.

His Royal Highness Prince Edward visited Stanwell School as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

He met with staff and students at one of the biggest Duke of Edinburgh Award centres in Wales.

OCTOBER

A RESTAURANT received the prestigious Michelin Star.

Restaurant James Sommerin was awarded with the honour at a ceremony at the Royal Institute of Engineers in London.

Mr Sommerin said he was "over the moon" to have been awarded the star.

TWINS from Penarth left the television talent show X-Factor after some controversy.

Josh and Kyle Brooks had made it to the live show stages but allegations about their private lives meant they were forced to leave.

Josh tweeted saying that whilst not everything being claimed was true, he apologised and thanked those who supported him.

LEAD worth £25,000 was stolen from the town's yacht club.

Thieves targeted the 130 year old lead and caused damage to the Penarth Yacht Club building.

Huw Pickford, the club steward, said he was "upset and angry" at what had happened.

A MAN had to be rescued after he fell down a cliff.

Coastguard and lifeboat crews were called out to the base of the cliff in Penarth where they found the man suffering from the cold.

He had been reported missing after he did not return home from his usual walk.

He suffered no major injuries and rescue teams hailed the operation a success.

NOVEMBER

A FAMILY had their garage gutted by a blaze.

Jenna Hodges, who was six months pregnant at the times, said her whole house could have gone up in flames if neighbours.

Black bags were set alight and the fire quickly spread to the garage on Queen's Road.

PLANS for 200 houses and new sporting facilities were rejected to the delight of opponents.

The plans for the BP sports field submitted by St Modwen and the Sully Sports and Social Club were unanimously rejected by Vale planners.

Steve Thomas from the Saving Sully group said he was delighted with the decision but wanted to work with the club to find a solution to their issues.

ART work caused a stir in November as a new exhibit came to town.

The display by Iwan Bala at Penarth Pier Pavilion focused on Brexit and angered residents.

They said some of the work could be deemed offensive and that it had no place in a public building.

HEAVY flooding caused chaos on the roads in late November.

Lavernock Road saw overflowing drains and Bridgeman Road in Penarth as well as The Westra in Dinas Powys were also affected.

Drivers said the conditions were "scary" and "awful."

DECEMBER

HUNDREDS of residents turned out for what was described as a village's biggest public meeting for more than 50 years.

The meeting saw Andrew RT Davies speak about the long mooted proposal for a Dinas Powys bypass.

There was an informal vote on who would be in favour of the bypass in which the majority of residents voted in favour of it.

FRESH hope was given to the prospect of the reuse of a derelict Penarth church.

The Vale council said the reuse of St Paul's Church on Arcot Street, which has been abandoned for years, was a "key challenge".

Former cabinet member for leisure and tourism, Anthony Ernest said he supported the reuse of the building.

TRIBUTES were paid to a much loved gymnast, performer and rugby club member who died.

Martin Vick, 41, died following a stroke and tributes poured in from those who knew him.

He travelled the world as a Special Olympics gymnast, was heavily involved with Penarth RFC and performed with Hijinx Theatre whilst working at Tesco in Penarth.

A MAN from Penarth was handed a life sentence after killing a woman by setting her on fire.

Raymond O'Connell was handed a minimum term of 17 years and four months for the murder of Lynne Braund in Barry.

The court heard how he set his partner of 17 years on fire by throwing lighter fluid all over.

She was taken to hospital and died 10 days later.