DECEMBER 2015. Edition 1. .................................................................................................................... SEE PAGES 8&9 FOR MORE ON THE FRIARS WALK STORY AND HOW NEWPORT CITY COUNCIL HELPED TO MAKE NNEWMPORT THE VISION A REALITY MATTERS The official newspaper of Newport City Council FRIARS WALK OPENS - A NEW CHAPTER FOR NEWPORT Friars Walk, the city’s The Rt Revd Bishop Councillor Bright described Mr Sargent, Chief Executive He added that the council’s vision much anticipated retail of Monmouth, Richard Pain, Thursday 12 November as a of Queensberry Real Estate, in making Friars Walk a reality and leisure scheme, then blessed the new centre. momentous day for the city, said at the opening: should be highly commended. opened to the public on its residents and businesses. Thursday 12 November. Welsh fashion designer “ The opening of the £117 million “ I’d like to congratulate everyone Julien McDonald officially opened “ It was the day our vision Friars Walk development is a who’s worked so hard to make Friars After the official opening the anchor store Debenhams, became a reality. Friars Walk major milestone for the city of Walk a reality. It’s an ambitious by Councillor Bob Bright, one of 25 stores that welcomed is an exemplar for partnership Newport. It has turned around the and prestigious development worthy Leader of Newport City shoppers from day one. working between the public and retail and leisure offer in the city, of a great city like Newport.” Council, the crowds private sector, and it has proved while giving a significant boost to swept in to get their More shops, including a catalyst for investment in the the local economy through £90 The exciting 390,000 sq. ft. first look at the shops, M&S Foodhall, and restaurants city centre. million of direct investment.” (36,230 sq m) Friars Walk has restaurants and cinema. were due to open in the coming 35 retail units and 11 restaurants, weeks and, just before “ We are seeing a renaissance The First Minister of Wales, said: and it was 85 per cent let on Councillor Bright cut the opening day, it was announced with new and returning opening day with more expected ribbon in the presence of that Superbowl had signed businesses opening both in Friars “ This fantastic development to sign up in the months to come. Newport’s Mayor, up and would be coming to Walk and the city centre. will breathe new life into the city. Councillor Herbie Thomas, Friars Walk next year. These will contribute millions Debenhams, Next, Topshop , the First Minister of Wales, of pounds to the local economy, “ As well as providing a great array Nando’s, GBK and Le Bistro Pierre Carwyn Jones, Paul Friars Walk was the result of bringing far-reaching of shops, restaurants and a were among those welcoming Sargent and Stuart a public-private partnership benefits for all those who live new cinema, it will deliver much shoppers and diners. There is also Harris co-founders of between the council and in, work in and visit Newport needed employment, supporting Cineworld’s eight-screen cinema Queensberry Real Estate. Queensberry Real Estate. for many years to come.” businesses and the community.” and a 350 space car park. For more news visit www.newport.gov.uk ......................................................................................................................................................NEWPORT MATTERS DECEMBER 2015 1 Pupils from six primary and Duffryn High Schools, and two secondary all Newport, and from Ysgol HUNDREDS OF NEWPORT PUPILS schools took part in the Gyfun Gwynllyw in Pontypool, KEEP WARM MARCHED THROUGH THE CITY event on November 4, marched into Westgate Square. the date on which the AND SAVE MONEY TO MARK THE ANNIVERSARY Chartists historically Groups of pupils spoke there OF THE CHARTIST MOVEMENT marched into Newport. of the injustices suffered by – and of the demands for a The children worked on the fairer society made by – their march with help and advice 19th Century predecessors. from Jamie Jarvis, a local actor who has been involved with Some marchers then fell to the this event for several years. ground at the sound of symbolic gunfire, before the names of those The Newport Schools Chartist who died outside the Westgate The Welsh Government’s March re-enacts annually the final Hotel on November 4 1839 Nest scheme aims to help moments of the trek from the were shouted by others in you keep warm and save Valleys by thousands of supporters a powerful act of remembrance. money on energy bills. of Chartism, which ended in bloody catastrophe outside the The event was organised Nest is open to all householders in old Westgate Hotel back in 1839. by Newport City Council Wales and provides advice on saving with stewards on the route energy, money management, energy The re-enactment featured around supported by the council’s tariffs and benefit entitlement. 300 children from eight local Communities First team. schools, who gathered in Clifton If your home is hard to heat, contact Park opposite Newport Cathedral, Newport Mayor Councillor Nest on Freephone where they chanted Chartist Herbie Thomas was also at the 0808 808 2244 for free advice slogans and sang protest songs, event to greet the marchers and to see if you are eligible for before setting off down Stow Hill, in Westgate Square. energy saving home improvements, banners aloft and in full voice. or visit www.nestwales.org.uk Accompanied and applauded by teachers and parents, youngsters from St Woolos, Clytha, Maindee, St Julian’s and St Joseph’s RC Image courtesy of South Wales Argus MILLBROOK primary schools, and St Julian’s PRIMARY SCHOOL Newport’s Mayor, There is also a rebound AWARDED NEW PLAYGROUND Councillor Herbie Thomas, wall with a goal mouth and officially opened new basketball hoop attached. CONFUCIUS IS A BIG HIT WITH ALL AGES playground facilities in Cowshed Lane, Bassaleg. The installation of the new CLASSROOM equipment was made possible by STATUS He was joined by local children, contributions received as a result Graig ward and community of residential developments in councillors and Councillor Viaduct Way and Harlech Drive. Deb Davies, Newport City A Newport primary school Council’s Cabinet Member for Councillor Davies, said: is one of only 12 in Wales Streetscene and City Services. “ Children and young people living to be awarded official locally now have an amazing play Confucius Classroom Toddlers to teenagers can now facility which I am confident will status by The Hanban enjoy a wide variety of new and provide many years of enjoyment, and Confucius Institute. innovative playground equipment especially as they were given a say in and there is a trim trail for those how it should be designed and what The aim of the Confucius Institute, who want to keep fit and healthy. equipment ought to be included.’ a non-profit public educational organisation affiliated with the For the very young there is a Ministry of Education of the separate enclosed play area People’s Republic of China, is to while older youngsters can promote Chinese language and use a range of facilities. culture, support local Chinese teaching internationally and facilitate cultural exchange. Millbrook Primary School has NEW SENSORY ROOM AT BRYNGLAS ADULT TRAINING CENTRE been recognised for its active role in teaching Mandarin to non- native learners. The school has demonstrated its commitment to the September saw the Brynglas ATC offers a day service The building has recently Councillor Paul Cockeram, teaching of Mandarin Chinese and opening of a new which provides support and undergone an extensive Newport City Council’s Cabinet about China across the curriculum multi-sensory facility at activities for adults who refurbishment programme to Member for Adult and, by being granted official status, Newport City Council’s have a learning disability improve its facilities, which and Community Services, said: is able to access funding through Brynglas Adult Training and complex needs. included the development of the the Confucius Institute to support Centre (ATC), new multi-sensory room where “ This is something I’ve wanted the development of their Mandarin by the city’s Mayor, It also caters for older people people can enjoy a range for a long time, and I’m and Chinese teaching programme. Councillor Herbie Thomas. with similar complex needs. of experiences. delighted it has been achieved.” 2 For more news visit www.newport.gov.uk ......................................................................................................................................................NEWPORT MATTERS DECEMBER 2015 Empowering children and During the launch at the Senedd, Headteacher at St Woolos Primary young people to have their organised by pupils from School, Miss Heather Vaughan, said: say and get actively involved St Woolos Primary School in in culture and heritage helps Newport, the audience were “ The success of the project was, KIDS AT SENEDD build confidence and raise shown a film about the Chartist for us, the very real sense of aspirations, the Deputy Uprising that the pupils made for purpose and enjoyment all of the Minister for Culture and Newport Museum during their pupils gained when making the film Sport, Ken Skates, said. Taking Over Day last year. and organising its premiere. It was another example of how children Speaking at the launch of the The pupils were asked to think are able to learn about the world of nationwide Kids in Museums about the kinds of interpretation work in a fun context. The parental Taking Over Day events, they would like to see in the and community support has been which saw museums, art galleries museum and created the film fantastic and also contributed to and heritage sites taken over by as a result which now features the pupils’ feeling of success and young people, the Deputy Minister in a Newport Museum’s pride in what they had achieved.” described the influential role that exhibition explaining the story arts and culture can have in the of the famous protests.