Latest News for Newport

WOOSNAM TO LAUNCH RYDER CUP FANZONE IN NEWPORT

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:15:46 GMT

Welsh golfing legend and Ryder Cup stalwart Ian Woosnam will launch the Ryder Cup Fanzone in Newport City Centre on Friday 1st October as the 38th Ryder Cup gets underway at The Celtic Manor Resort.

To coincide with the first morning of competition Woosnam, who starred in eight Ryder Cups as a player, will join Newport Council Leader Matthew Evans to take part in a round of crazy golf within the Fanzone, alongside lucky competition winners.

The free-to-access Fanzone, which will be situated in Newport’s John Frost Square between 1-3 October, will provide Newport residents and visiting golf fans from around the world without tickets the chance to savour all the emotion and drama on the big screen as Europe and the USA go head to head at Celtic Manor.

The Fanzone will also play host to food stalls, live music and a golf simulator over the weekend and, along with the crazy golf course, should provide families with a great day out. Father of two Woosnam said, "The Fanzone will help to capture the spirit of the Ryder Cup by engaging people of all different ages and backgrounds. It’s a time for friends and family to come together, have a good time and most of all to enjoy the spectacle as Newport plays host to one of the most prestigious events in world sport”.

The first 30 people to enter the Fanzone on the first and second days of competition will be treated to a free breakfast baguette and hot drink thanks to Bar Piazza, situated in John Frost Square.

glc event in September

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:32:38 GMT

"We are going to rock the party for Newport”

As if a star-studded golf tournament on September 25^th wasn't enough fun, today the Princes of Newport, Goldie Lookin Chain, have officially announced a gig at Newport Centre.

Straight after the golf tournament, which will be held in Caerleon, the boys will head to Newport's largest concert arena to entertain the masses at a very-special homecoming gig.

Supported by the newly-signed Dirty Goods (their last local gig before they head off to record their debut album), up and coming group, Newport Allstars and the incredible ska tribute band, 2Rude, the boys can't wait to hit the stage, having never played the Centre before.

"This is going to be the party to end all parties,” said Xain. This is going to be the show that'll have everyone saying: "I was there" in twenty years time. We are going to rock the party for Newport."

GLC will also be joined by fellow spoofster, David Garland Jones, who created a YouTube hit with his answer back to the much-publicised Newport parodies: You Ain't Seen Ruthin Yet.

With tickets priced at just a fiver this is Newport's must-head to gig of the year.

More info? Head to http://www.wearevoice.co.uk/ and http://www.youknowsit.co.uk/

The gig will take place on Saturday 25 September.

Tickets are available through the following outlets and in all cases are subject to a booking fee. Please note different availability dates:

Via Phone/Web:

Newport Centre Box Office: 01633 656757 / http://www.newport.gov.uk/ – available from 20 August, 9am

In person:

Kriminal Records, Newport Market, Upper Dock Street, Newport

Diverse Music, Charles Street, Newport – from 20 August, 9am

Online:

See Tickets: http://www.seetickets.com/ – from Tuesday 24 August.

First Ever Welsh Open Crazy Golf Championship to be Held in Newport!

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:50:35 GMT

In the year when the Ryder Cup comes to Newport, the city will also host the first ever Welsh Open Crazy Golf Championship. It will be held on Friday 3 September from 6.00-8.30pm, is open to 50 teams of two representing local workplaces. The crazy golf course will also be open daily from 11am until 6pm for the general public to hit the greens. Big Splash organisers have also set up this special tournament, aimed at local businesses who will compete to win the first ever Welsh Open Crazy Golf trophy.

The Championship will be played on the world’s finest portable crazy golf course which is coming to the city as part of The Big Splash festival from Saturday August 28 – Sunday 5 September. The Big Splash will take place on the banks of the River Usk and the area surrounding The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre.

The nine-hole course, built by the newly established Crazy Golf Company, will be situated by the River Usk in central Newport, opposite The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre. It includes over £10,000 worth of astro turf, and holes created by top-notch designers including a scaled-down copy of a hole from the Celtic Manor Ryder Cup course. Other challenges on the course include the Amazing Green Pinball Machine, Heartbreak Hill, Duck of Doom, Pot the Pink and The Devil’s Saucepan.

The course was developed over three years at the annual Shambala festival, and has just been previewed at The Harbour Festival in Bristol before a final revamp. The Big Splash is its first outing in its perfected form.

"We believe that we are bringing crazy golf into the 21st century, with new concepts never seen before: ramps, transitions, pinball machines and true miniature copies,” said Dave Lovatt of the Crazy Golf Company. "No one will have seen anything quite like this before!”

Each pair will go round the course once and the two pairs with the lowest combined score will face each other in the craziest three-hole play-off ever. Entry fee is £5 per pair. To enter, simply ring The Riverfront Box Office on 01633 656679 with the names of the two players plus the business/company you are representing; you will be given a tee-off time then. Bookings must be received by 1 September.

For more information on all Big Splash events, visit the website www.newport.gov.uk/bigsplash or ring 01633 656757. You can follow The Big Splash online via Twitter, Facebook and the online diary, thebigsplashdiary.wordpress.com.

Free Parking!

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:28:15 GMT

During July and August enjoy up to 2 hours free parking*

* Free parking is only valid weekdays and Saturdays, 8am - 6pm.

For more information visit www.kingswaycentre.com

One Simple Ticket Price For All Journeys Makes Catching The Bus Easier Than Ever

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

From May 24, an adult single ticket fare for any destination costs just £1.30 and a day ticket £2.75, while for children aged under-16 a single ticket costs 90p and a day ticket £2.20 – it’s that simple.

An all-new City Hop fare was also launched at the same time for customers wanting to make shorter journeys within a specially designated City Hop Zone to and from Newport Bus Station. The new simplified ticketing structure gives passengers an easy and flexible way of buying their tickets for using Newport’s buses with one straightforward fare in place for all routes.

And there’s plenty for students and families to look forward to with a new discounted student pass for 16 to 24-year-olds – the first of its kind in Wales – and a new family day ticket giving parents and children the chance to take advantage of the benefits of public transport for just £8.50 a day.

Chris Blyth, Managing Director, said: “We believe it is important to make using our buses as easy as possible for our customers and purchasing tickets is an important part of this. We are committed to delivering a positive customer experience and by giving people a simple, streamlined pricing structure for tickets we are making our buses even more accessible to customers. This coupled alongside our student and family ticket opportunities and new City Hop zone means customers are getting great value for money alongside a service they can trust in getting them to their chosen destinations.”

Each year more than 7.6m people use Newport Bus, while the company itself employs more than 150 bus drivers and has a fleet of 90 buses. It operates 47 services throughout the city and to and from Cardiff and Cwmbran.

Square Factor have a Winner!

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:26:48 GMT

The competition called, The Square Factor, supported by Newport City Homes, invited bands and solo artists aged 18 and under to enter with ten finalists selected.
The finalists were then put through their paces in a two-day workshop at Le Pub before playing before a panel of judges including Emma Corten- editor of Voice, Sian Nicholas of Newport City Homes, Chris Vinnicombe from musicradar.com, Sam Harries from Le Pub, Dave Corten from Flyscreen, Sam from Asda (who supplied the food for the two-day workshop) and Leanne, daughter of the late John Sicolo.

The judges had great difficulty in selecting the winner due to the fact that the entries were so diverse – from Noel Gallagher-inspired solo artists, to a metal band, a punk band, and much more besides. After a final ‘rock-off’ the winner was decided via a point scoring system which included marks for showmanship, originality and benefit from the workshops provided.

In third place were The Dolts and in second came metal cello quartet, Nexus. A special award went to ska-punkers Cash on Delivery for being the most improved band of the weekend and the overall winner was Joe Kelly from Ringland, Newport.Joe will now go on to play at TJ’s in the Square on July 10th alongside GLC, Flyscreen, The Darling Buds and many of Newport’s greats.

“The competition showed how much diverse musical talent there is in Newport,” Sian said.
“I was so impressed with the friendships forged between groups during the competition and the support they showed one another. I am really looking forward to watching Joe at the event on the 10th and am sure that the crowds will love his music.”

For more information on TJ’s in the Square which is supported by Newport Festival 2010 and Newport Initiative and brought to you by Voice and fanzine Frug, visit www.wearevoice.co.uk

Mini Dragons Find a New Home

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The department store on Commercial Street has been partnered with one of the city’s primary schools who are currently working on the decoration of the dragon. 49 of the mini dragons are being worked upon in primary schools across Newport to compliment the larger SuperDragon project which will feature 60 ‘human size’ dragons displayed through an outdoor trail across the city centre from July 18th until mid October.

The mini project means that alongside the outdoor trail, a retail based indoor trail will also be created where visitors and shoppers will be able to pick out their favourite min dragon on display.

Sally Ford, Manager of Wildings in Newport confirmed, ‘We are happy to be working with Wild in Art and a local school to promote the Super Dragons project and will be looking at finding our dragon a worthy home throughout the summer months.’

Other retailers who will also be looking to host a dragon include Boots on Commercial Street, the Kingsway Shopping Centre and Anthony Bingham jewellers in Newport Arcade. Shops wishing to take part in the mini SuperDragon schools project are asked to contact Florence Martellini the Super Dragons co-coordinator via the email address martellini@btinternet.com

Live! Magazine out now!

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Our new edition of Live! magazine is out now! Featuring stories on fashion, football, events including a feature on TJ's in the Square, it's jam packed with features on Newport now! Click on our Live! link to access your copy.

Newport Gets Dressed Up

Wed, 19 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

SLS (which counts dressing Liverpool during its year as Capital of Culture 2008 among its claims to fame) is using temporary flagpoles; lamppost banners, catenary banners, tree wraps, hoardings, building wraps, shop window displays, screens, event displays and lighting to add sparkle to the city, in a year-long dressing programme which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and aims to echo community spirit and reflect the events that are taking place.

Local artists will be contributing to the artwork used in dressing the city to capture the spirit of Newport and their work will be displayed in Bettws; St Julian’s; Hartridge; Lliswerry; Duffryn; Bassaleg; Caerleon and Underwood.

The launch of the Festival 2010 in January saw the first touches of dressing being added, with flagpoles around The Riverfront Theatre. In March more flagpoles were added to other parts of the city centre, on Bridge Street, High Street and Westgate Square.

Over the next few months a number of key landmarks will be decorated using building wraps; city centre streets will be laced with catenary banners; trees will be wrapped using the Festival 2010 colours and more flagpoles will be added around the city to promote key events such as the SuperDragons trail.

It’s also planned for community art to be used on the hoardings and building wraps and to decorate empty shops in the city centre, as part of the Empty Shops Project.

And this is only the beginning of the city dressing programme for Newport. There are exciting plans to further dress the city in the autumn months.

Wardens provide Welcome Role in City Centre

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Over the last couple of months, the wardens have been seen out and about in the more popular shopping areas providing assistance and advice to the public, shops and other businesses.

As well as being a friendly face the Community Safety Wardens have been working to address such matters as littering, inconsiderate parking and anti social behaviour.

With such a broad remit, these ‘eyes and ears’ of the city centre have been doing an excellent job and have been successful in working to ensure that that the City Centre is a pleasant place to visit.

The Community Safety Wardens work closely with all Newport City Council Departments, Gwent Police and other agencies to provide the best customer focused service to shoppers, workers and visitors to the city.

Cycle route improves links between Caerleon and city

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The path, at Pillmawr Road to Home Farm, is the largest section of the route that will eventually provide vital connections between the university campuses in the city centre and Caerleon, Newport railway station and safe routes to several schools.

The project was joint funded by the Assembly, sustainable transport charity Sustrans and Newport Unlimited and further funding to complete the next section to Caerleon Comprehensive School has also been awarded.

The scheme is part of a UK-wide initiative from Sustrans, which is providing vital transport links for 79 local communities using money awarded by the Big Lottery Fund.

These links will allow people to make more local everyday journeys by foot or by bike.

Newport West AM Rosemary Butler, said: “It's a tribute to all those who have worked so hard on the design and the funding, and gives us a foretaste of what can be achieved as the route progresses into and beyond Caerleon.”

City Vizion gets green light for next stage

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Councillors voted for the development on the former Robert Price Builders Yard, Rodney Road, to continue.

Developer Taylor Wimpey first unveiled plans for the site in September 2007.

The first phase of the work was completed, but the second stage was postponed because of the recession.

Taylor Wimpey resubmitted their proposals in October last year.

The development on the banks of the River Usk will include 91 two-bedroom flats, two one bedroom flats, 16 three bedroom houses and 13 two-bedroom houses.

There will also be a public plaza with restaurants and cafes, and a new footpath which will link the development from the River Usk footbridge through to Corporation Road.

The Argus reported on Monday how as part of Taylor Wimpey’s commitment to the City Vizion scheme, the developer would agree to make 15 per cent of the development into affordable housing, as well as agreeing to contribute £650,000 for leisure and education purposes in the city.

Speaking to the Argus in October last year when Taylor Wimpey announced it was submitting revised plans to Newport City Council, Newport Unlimited director of regeneration Andrew Dakin said: “It is a key aspect of the city’s regeneration and it will reflect other high quality schemes such as the Newport University campus which is currently under construction on the opposite side of the river.”

Following the decision project co-ordinator at Taylor Wimpey, David Thomas said: “We are delighted with the council’s consent of the scheme and look forward to continuing the regeneration of this important site.”

The SuperDragons den is now officially open

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Mayor was joined by the leader of the council, Councillor Matthew Evans and Newport Gwent Dragons rugby players Ashley Smith and Lewis Evans from the Newport Gwent Dragons rugby side.

Situated in the newly created artists quarter on Upper Dock Street, the SuperDragons den will be used by artists who have been selected to paint and decorate the SuperDragons to work on their creations.

Residents and visitors to the city will be able to pop in and watch the artists at work as well as ask artists their inspiration behind their design.

The SuperDragons den is part of a newly created artists quarter which has been formed along Upper Dock Street and transformed retail units in the area into art spaces. The scheme has received funding from the Arts Council for Wales and aims to make art more accessible.

The retail units have been turned into creative spaces and workshops and there will be amateur and professional art exhibitions, a photo exhibition as well as workshops for anyone interested in art. The initiative will run from April 16 until 31 October and will become a focal point for anyone interested in the arts.

Countdown to the first event of Newport Festival 2010

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The procession is the first main event of the Newport Festival 2010 programme which has been designed to create a lasting legacy for residents of Newport. The parade will see more than 500 youngsters take part displaying characters from Welsh mythology while a samba band will create a brazilian carnival atmosphere.

Earlier in the year, Newport City Council unveiled plans for the festival 2010 programme, the largest the city will have ever seen with events happening throughout the year.

The procession will be led by samba drummers who will create a thundering atmosphere as the parade travels through the city centre.

Giant figures from Welsh mythology have been created by Malarky Arts and local school children who will take part in the parade.

The first event of the festival is free and open to anyone who wishes to attend. The parade will start from John Frost Square. Following the parade there will be a special performance from the samba drummers and the vibrations from the drums will be felt right across the city before Paddy the Clown and George Orange entertain the crowd.

Going for Gold and Ezeeeplay partnership signs up over 1500 people through active play in first year

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Since the partnership began, Ezeeeplay have had over 1500 people sign up to the healthy living scheme, over 60% of which are children, all helping to promote getting active and the importance of active play.

Physical activity and active play is vital to the development of children and young people especially in this age where more and more children are becoming overweight and are leading increasingly inactive lifestyles. Therefore, places where children and young people can enjoy and benefit from physical activity and active play are extremely important and very beneficial.

• Play offers children and young people the opportunity to:
• make sense of their experiences
• develop autonomy and learn to make choices
• learn to communicate and negotiate with others
• develop problem-solving and decision-making skills
• develop and extend their physical and intellectual abilities
• experiment with who they are and define who they want to be
• develop healthy, active lifestyles.

This is a vital partnership between Ezeeeplay and Going for Gold as it allows the scheme to target an often difficult age range in the under 5’s as well as using this opportunity to focus attention on parents, making it a whole family approach. The more information and ideas families can gain about being healthier the easier it will be to start making the first positive steps to a longer, happier healthier lifestyle. This will also help to start to fight back against the problem of obesity and all the medical problems that it can lead to.

Going for Gold aims to promote healthy living across Newport and in order to do this has developed different approaches to get assist people in leading healthier lifestyles. The 5 for Life project focuses on children under the age of 12 and their families and there are a number of walks for anyone from small feet to the more experience rambler that have been developed. In addition to this the workplace activator project targets companies, giving employees a lifestyle check and the Exercise Referral Scheme targets inactive adults, all with the aim of helping people to make positive changes.

There is a lot going on in Newport through Going for Gold and its partners. Ezeeeplay have been a glowing example of how to promote this message, helping to give information to over 1500 people, who could make a positive change.

For more information on Going for Gold please either call 01633 656656 or visit www.newport.gov.uk/g4g

Ezeeeplay Rogerstone & Lliswerry - 01633 894488/01633 271001 or visit www.ezeeeplay.com

Funding Applications for Newport Festival 2010 Off to Flying Start

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Newport Festival 2010 is set to be the largest and most exciting programme of community initiatives the city will have ever seen and already more than 50 expressions of interest have been received.

“We only get one opportunity to host a sporting event of the magnitude of The Ryder Cup and it is important we embrace this,” commented leader of Newport City Council, Councillor Matthew Evans. “With this in mind, the Newport Festival 2010 will bring people together to celebrate the city and I am delighted with the response we have had so far with people applying for funding.

“The Ryder Cup is a historic and memorable period in Newport’s history and we want to ensure as many people as possible can celebrate what our city has to offer through the range of community events and projects that will be held throughout 2010. I would encourage those who are thinking of holding a community event to put their application for funding in quickly before the allocation is used up.”

Newport Festival 2010 is designed to bring people together, to get people working in partnership in their communities and celebrate the city of Newport.

There will be a range of projects from big city centre spectaculars to smaller events and community projects.

A unique grants fund has been allocated to assist with the funding of community events.

The People’s Panel 2010, made up of people of all ages and backgrounds and who share a passion for Newport, reflects the city’s communities and will help assess the community grants for the festival. The panel is responsible for distributing grants of up to £2,010 per events.

Details on how to apply for funding can be found by clicking here and the main programme of events is due to start in March.

Newport Launches 2010 Festival in Style

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Leader of Newport City Council, Cllr Matthew Evans, welcomed guests including award-winning actress Virginia McKenna and golf journalist and children’s author Lauren St.John.

Councillor Matthew Evans, leader of Newport City Council, said: “2010 will be one of the most exciting years Newport has ever seen. It is a year which promises to unveil a new era for Newport, with a legacy the city and its residents can enjoy for many years to come.

“There is an action-packed calendar of events from September’s Big Splash event – with a circus and a funfair staged on the banks of the River Usk to the Fire Spectacular in October when the city’s skies will be illuminated by some impressive fireworks. And of course, hunting down the SuperDragons in the city will be a major pursuit for Newport residents and tourists throughout the summer months.

“Every community will have its own individual legacy from an event or project that is launched in 2010. Young people will have a chance to take part in some of our most memorable events, leaving lasting memories that will stay with them forever, and plenty of vivid tales to tell to future generations.”

At the launch, the festival plans were outlined and residents can look forward to parades, circus acts, water sports, bands, fairgrounds and aerial artistes who will perform above the suspension bridge.

One of the highlights is set to be the SuperDragons who will take over Newport in the summer. The statues gathered at the Riverfront for the launch and businesses are being asked to sponsor a dragon which a local artist will paint and decorate. The dragons will then form a trail across the city and residents and tourists will be encouraged to follow the trail and visit where the dragons are situated. The dragons will be auctioned after the trail with proceeds going to charity. Born Free is one charity that will benefit from the auction and actress Virginia McKenna was a special guest at the launch.

Charlie Langhorne from Wild in Art, the company behind the SuperDragons, commented: “The SuperDragons will create a visual spectacle and is public art with a difference. They will attract visitors and inspire residents to become tourists in their own city.”

Also present at the launch was a brass quartet from Caerleon Comprehensive School and Malpas Church in Wales Junior School choir who performed two songs specifically written for the launch event.

Newport City Council Ryder Cup director, Ffion Lloyd, outlined the plans for the city including how it will be transformed, the education programme and the different events being staged in the city.

She said: “Making sure that Newport benefits economically and socially from being the host city of The Ryder Cup in 2010 won’t happen by chance. It is up to all of us to ensure we make the most of being The Ryder Cup host city.

“Around 30 infrastructure and environment projects will take place in total and all have reached design stage or are on site.

“In a world first, teachers, headteachers and officers in Newport’s education service have been creating new, bilingual Ryder Cup learning materials which will be available for all primary schools in Newport, and across Wales.

“Using golf and the Ryder Cup as a theme, pupils will learn new knowledge and skills, from literacy and numeracy to equalities, sustainable development and technology.”

Welsh open snooker returns to Newport

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Some of the world’s best players, including Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, Stephen Hendry, Shaun Murphy, Neil Robertson, Mark Selby and local players Mark Williams and Matthew Stevens will be competing for the trophy in the world-ranking event.

For tickets call 01633 656 757

Newport listed in top ten places to visit in 2010

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

As the host city for the 2010 Ryder Cup, Newport is dubbed ‘the place to be when the golf swings into action between 1-3 October.’

The city centre, Victorian provisions market, historic attractions such as Caerleon and the surrounding countryside are also recommended as places to see for those who want to experience more than just golf.

Visit http://www.realbuzz.com/articles/big-2010/#2 to read the full article.

Free Parking Offer* - Extended until 2nd January 2010!

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:12:00 GMT

Free weekend and late night Thursday Christmas parking extended until 2 January 2010.

Newport City Council is offering free parking in all council-owned car parks across the city every Saturday, Sunday and late night Thursdays until 2 January 2010. *

Leader of Newport City Council, Councillor Matthew Evans said: “Car parking fees can certainly add up for shoppers over the festive season, so Newport City Council has introduced this initiative to ease the financial pressures for shoppers and encourage them to use the facilities we have on offer in our city centre.
This is a win-win situation to boost footfall and assist traders.”

Participating council car parks include Cambrian Multi-storey, Park Square, Emlyn Street, Faulkner Road, Hill Street, Riverfront, Market, Maindee and Stow
Hill.

* Conditions apply. For full details and opening times visit www.newport.gov.uk/christmas