maindee.org | facebook.com/MaindeeLibrary | instagram.com/MaindeeLibrary | @MaindeeLibrary 1 The Oddfellows Pigeon Club Friday 18th November 2016 the Oddfellows I set off on an undiplomatic foot when predators Arms, Maindee, Newport. I arrived at around of pigeons were mentioned and I expressed a quarter to eight in the evening, having been my love of raptors (birds of prey). This was met told the pigeon fanciers begin their meeting with much hostility from Andrew, not hostility at seven thirty. On arriving in the lounge of the towards me, but hostility towards Sparrowhawks, Oddfellows Arms and ordering a pint, looking Peregrine Falcons and the once rare and endan- over to the far wall, it was predictable who gered Goshawk. Many of these birds of prey in the pigeon fanciers were. A group of around the past few decades were on the endangered twelve men sat grouped together all with the species list. The scarcity of raptors in the past appearance of being at least in their seventies. was mainly due to their persecution from game- It was apparent that the meeting had com- keepers and farmers and also the (hopefully menced some time before I had arrived. On defunct) pastime of egg collecting, which had the far right, sat under a Welsh flag was Greg. once been a popular hobby. Now these birds I approached him instinctively with the feeling in the present day, have relative abundance. A that he had some kind of authority/hierarchy discussion ensued on the subject and different within the group. My instincts were correct; viewpoints were exchanged. he was indeed the chairman of the Oddfellows Pigeon Fanciers Club. My point that they are wild birds and they have a right to live, was met with Andrew’s point, On obtaining my pint of bitter from a friendly that the birds of prey are also now bred like bar lady, I approached Greg and briefly the racing pigeons, and are also escapees of explained my documentation project and my falconers and are not wild. desire to photograph the pigeon club. Greg I made a joke about getting off on the wrong conveyed his indifference to my request but The old adage that dogs dislike cats to a great foot and not being very diplomatic. My views also a quiet welcoming… “you carry on, feel extent applies to pigeon fanciers and the did not in any way appear to mar Andrews free”. I set my drink aside and went to the stealthy Peregrine Falcon, which indeed targets warm welcome and hospitality towards me. pigeon loft, where I met Andrew and a lady young racing pigeons. It is not my intention here pigeon fancier who was accompanied with her to enter into a debate, as indeed I feel that any It was time for the pigeons to be judged which son. We imminently engaged in conservation. debate on this subject needs to be through the meant that we had to leave the pigeon loft and eyes of the devoted pigeon fanciers. return to the pub. On returning back inside the pub I asked the lady pigeon fancier’s son if he had any interest in pigeons. His reply was a slightly guilty “no!” He obviously had been brought up around this passionate tradition, but in his late twenties, bleeps on his mobile phone were probably far more seductive than the gentle “cooing of pigeons”.
Extract from the forthcoming publication ‘From Summerhill to Fairoaks, a somewhat quirky portrait of Maindee’ by Dilip Sinha
2 3 Maindee Unlimited AGM: Wales Co-operative Centre. Gary described the world living very peaceably alongside each how the community can invest money into the other. I think there is a unique potential here to Le Public Space social enterprise, which aims make these rich cultures and traditions increas- to provide opportunities and an inclusive space ingly cohesive, integrated and even celebratory Another year in the history of Maindee Unlimited for the wider arts and education. More on of the ethnicities and diversity we have here. [MU], the charity which supports the library, www.lepublicspace.co.uk/. We already do this quite well as is evident with was celebrated on the evening of Monday 18th events like Maindee festival; our street parades September 2017. This annual general meeting Amongst all the successes in multiple areas, and various community-led projects that local was both a chance to present the year to date, and struggles in others, the meeting was a artists, volunteers and inhabitants are spear- including the finances, and also to hear from positive update on sharing how far we have heading such as photo-marathon and finding some other groups in Newport that are taking come and what the future may hold. The maindee. Maindee Unlimited has been instru- on creative community-led projects: the Cwtsh general meeting can be read about in detail at mental to a number of these achievements and and Le Public Space. this link on our website. www.maindee.org/ it is exciting to have become a trustee. There blog/another-year-in-the-life-of-maindee-un- is an evolving identity and vibrancy here that limited. New trustee Taslima joins other communities simply don't have. It is a veritable melting pot of languages and culture the Maindee team that enables creativity, fusion and the sharing of ideas across boundaries and we are only be- Dr Taslima Begum – Senior Lecturer in ginning to see the start of this and how it could Computing and User-Centred Design really empower residents here. Researcher at Cardiff Metropolitan University 3) What made you join Maindee Unlimited? 1) Tell us about your connection to Maindee? (History, current, family) Since 2004, I have taught across FE and HE at Coleg Gwent, University of Wales and Cardiff Although I have lived between Newport, Cardiff Metropolitan University and enjoyed a fulfilling David Moses has been the chair of MU since and Plymouth with work and study, I grew up career. I have also worked as an advocate with the charity's inception a few years ago. David locally in the Maindee area so have many fond, the charities NYAS and Voiceability empow- thanked Jan Pritchard, from Arthur Gait & nostalgic childhood memories here with its ering vulnerable and disadvantaged people Company, for doing the accounts and people, places and friendly community. My in the community. This led me to want to acknowledged the tremendous amount of family have lived and worked in this area for give back to the community and do voluntary work by John Hallam that went into applying almost four decades now and the area has seen work and support those who are disengaged, for funding. many changes in this time as it has progressively marginalised or deprived so I was happy to evolved. I remember swimming with my siblings become a trustee for Maindee Unlimited to The first of our talks was by David Crowson in Maindee Baths on weekends, enjoying the help guide their vision. Given my PhD was ‘A from the Cwtsh on Stow Hill. This building was local parks in the vicinity, taking nieces and Postcolonial Critique of Industrial Design and once also a library and it was great to hear nephews to the annual Maindee festival. As as Education’ issues of social inequality, empow- about their success as a small venue. Secondly a teenager I revised for my GCSEs in Maindee erment and giving a voice to the voiceless we heard from Gary Inight from Le Public Space. library and then two decades later wrote up part are important to me. I hope my skill set will of my thesis there for my PhD. be valuable given I am a multilingual, ethnic The new venue has been launched at 14 High Muslim woman who is able to engage with Street with a community share offer behind 2) What makes Maindee unique do you feel? diverse communities well. Ultimately I want to it. Le Public Space started with a core of 8 help with the betterment of the community and volunteer trustees, including Gary as its chair, Maindee is very diverse, multicultural commu- everyone who lives in it and I am very pleased and created the share offer with help from the nity with people from many different parts of to be on board as a trustee!
4 5 Maindee Library Tricia takes over Maindee There will also be a smaller light installation [volunteer rota at least] in the trees around the Triangle area, by the Maindee Library is run by volunteers of the Christmas Market public loos. wider community; by people that believe we From November 2017 Tricia Rogers will be in need to keep a library provision open and charge of the rota which organises the library Maindee is hosting its first open air Christmas We are hoping that traders and residents will available for all walks of life. Here in the library volunteers. She will follow Kim Lambert who market next month. fully enter into the Christmas spirit this year we want to help foster good relations and has given her time to do the work for the past and decorate their shop/business windows. access to services for all residents to enjoy. two years. Maindee Village Christmas takes place on Our volunteers vary in age, background and Saturday December 2nd between 2 – 6pm in Maindee Unlimited is offering a £50 cash prize experiences but they are passionate about Tricia originally came to us in January 2017 the car park. for the best decorated window. libraries and community development. from employment support agency Working Links. Tricia was only due to spend 8 weeks There will be festive food, mulled wine, Father Some traders are planning to install small trees You can join us and volunteer a few hours a here but enjoyed it so much that she has Christmas in his grotto, music from Newport above their windows or on their roofs. Please week or do your 2 week work experience here. volunteered ever since. She says that she looks City Radio, singing by local children’s choirs contact the House of Couture Bridal Boutique The library is looking to be open a few more forward to coming to the library twice a week and opportunities to buy lots of lovely gift art for advice on where to source these and how hours later in the evening but we can't do this and has been very touched by the friends she and craft items, fancy dress costumes, and a to install them. unless we have a few more volunteers. has made here and how others have supported variety of food. her. In turn Tricia helps others; for example If you want to trade on December 2nd there Email us on [email protected] if you are by encouraging one widowed older lady to 5pm will see the turning on of Maindee’s is no charge, and Maindee Unlimited will be interested. join the Wednesday morning Friendship Club. magnificent Christmas lights display which is providing market stalls and tables. There will Thank you Tricia! being designed and installed by international be a limited electricity supply on a first-come- artist Jony Easterby. The specially commis- first served basis. Weekly What’s On at Maindee Library sioned Christmas scene is being projected on to the first floor wall above Hot Rocks. It will Please contact Alison on 07837 033090 if [See the what's on page for additional one-off library events] be turned on during the Christmas Market you want a stall. Lets all help to make this a event and will stay on until January 2nd. great Christmas for Maindee! Day Regular Activities
Monday: Open 10am – 5pm Make & Take Children's craft session 3.00 – 4.00pm
Tuesday: Closed, Contact [email protected] to make a booking but available for hire.
Friendship Group Meet & Chat Session 11am – 12.30pm Wednesday: Open 10am – 5pm Job Club: Communities First Drop in Session 1–3pm
Citizens Advice Bureau 10am – 12.00pm (Max 5 seen) Thursday: Open 10am – 5pm Job Club 1 – 3pm
Friday: Open 10am – 5pm Square Knitters: Meet, Chat & Knit, 11am – 12.30pm XM T Saturday: Open 10am – 5pm Computer Class: Adult Beginners Class 10 – 11.30pm AS MARKE
Sunday: Closed, but available for hire. Contact [email protected] 6 7 Camera Obscura Share a story, start a story Fine art photographer Dafydd Williams from the Kickplate Project set up a once in a lifetime studio space which was open Hi we are Holbrook Studios for one week only. His was a unique way to photograph people – a brand new creative and a ingenious way to repurpose unused spaces. space for the people of Maindee to develop He turned the unused public toilet on the Triangle into a camera great photos in. We are obscura – a life size traditional dark room based photo space – professional photographers where he offered participants the chance to help create some with combined experience stunning visuals. These were one of a kind images that can not spanning 20 years, be replicated again. Passers by were invited to sit for portraits in developing photographic the Triangle, with Dafydd inside his camera obscura taking the work for Newports’ residents image, and developing a negative print. Dafydd then came out and businesses. We would of the camera obscura so that his sitters could experience the like to say hello and welcome magic of watching the images bathed in photographic chemicals you to our studio space seeing their images change from at 80 Chepstow Road. If negative to positive before their eyes. you are one of the lucky ones and see this poster The images were then exhibited at you are entitled to a free Holbrook Studios from Sunday professional portrait for your November 5th to Tuesday November business life or family life, 7th and all sitters were then given all we ask is that you come their portraits to keep. and share something about yourself. We would like to meet you. Maybe bring a story or an opinion or an old photograph in to share. Bring this flyer in or message us via www.facebook.com/ holbrookstudio/ to book a shoot. We look forward to meeting you.
Offer is available until February 2018.
8 9 Newport Photomarathon 2017 The Newport photography competition took place over 24 hours, had 12 topics and thanks On Saturday 28th October almost 150 to Arts Council for Wales funding, had 6 photography fans of all abilities, ages and workshops led by professional photographers backgrounds descended on Newport to for the public to attend. The workshops were partake in the 2017 Newport Photomarathon, taster sessions sharing the broader aspects which started and ended in Maindee thanks of photography such as traditional print to Holbrook Studio, which is a new lens based making, photoshop, flash and off camera light, arts centre in Newport. photojournalism and landscape photography.
Alan Newman Emma Rees Thibaud Gailliard Alan Newman
Elinor Carney Cath Barton Francesca Bowen Cathy Molinaro
Jane Watkins Gemma Bartlett Bob Pontin Chris Hyatt
10 1111 Newport Photomarathon 2017 contd. The event was a success and based on the idea from the beginning and made the event positive feedback will be happening again next enjoyable for people of all ages. year on 27th October 2018. The event this year was made possible thanks to the support of Below are images from behind the scenes of the Maindee Unlimited, Newport transport services, day as well as a selection of topic three ‘Strike a Newport LIVE, Minuteman Press, Coleg Gwent, pose’ on the previous page. The Camera Centre Newport and Holbrook Studio. Each one of these sponsors backed the Together
BRIDALWEAR BOUTIQUE House of Couture SHOP LOCAL. SHOP MAINDEE.
A gefnogir gan / Supported by: SUPPORTING BUSINESS IN MAINDEE CEFNOGI BUSNESAU YM MAENDY
PUBLISHED BY MAINDEE UNLIMITED, COMMUNITY HOUSE, ETON ROAD, NEWPORT NP19 OBL, WWW.MAINDEE.ORG | [email protected], PHOTO © RHYS WEBBER 12 13 Hideaway Café SHOP LOCAL. SHOP MAINDEE.
Together
A gefnogir gan / Supported by: SUPPORTING BUSINESS IN MAINDEE CEFNOGI BUSNESAU YM MAENDY
PUBLISHED BY MAINDEE UNLIMITED, COMMUNITY HOUSE, ETON ROAD, NEWPORT NP19 OBL, WWW.MAINDEE.ORG | [email protected], PHOTO © RHYS WEBBER Maindee Library Update We have now got a 25 year lease of the Final New Paths This final project will bring to conclusion building from Newport City Council and in a total of 26 initiatives which have Since the summer we have been working with September we agreed to focus of our first Grant Made accessed New Paths since it was setup architects George Lovesmith and Sarah phase of work on the small spaces [kitchen, in 2015 as part of the Finding Maindee Hollingworth to help us plan and deliver our toilets and meeting room] described in the film In October 2017 Maindee Unlimited project. In total New Paths will have ETON RD library building refresh project. As Alison with Kim and Maggie. We are also looking very made the final award from the New contributed nearly £30,000 to supporting Starling, the treasurer of Maindee Unlimited, closely at how we can make the most of Paths fund. Community House Eton Road creative projects in the community. The said – “we have to do it with less dosh but renewable heating systems. We are very will be running a project to create a mural diversity of projects has been impressive: more love.” The chair of trustees David Moses hopeful that we can keep the main library which represents the diverse group of cultures ranging from Marion Cheung’s awesome now sees the word refresh as making more space open to the public when we start the who live and have lived in the Maindee area. Maindee Stories tapestry to Rohan Bishop’s sense; it’s like we can purchase a few well- work in early 2018. This final New Paths project comes at the right Sounds Alive sessions and the contributions chosen items rather than change everything. time as it taps into the stories which have from the South American and Senegambian been uncovered by the 1,000 Voices Project. communities to the Maindee Festival. Marilyn Priday said that: "Community House is Test, Cook & Serve The group of four [pictured left to right – Sammy, delighted and grateful to have the last grant The New Paths work still continues. For example Matt, Verity and Brad] created a life size mock-up from Maindee New Paths. We plan to use it Dilip Sinha will be showing his photos and Steve Architect George Lovesmith [below left] has of their ideas and presented them at the Library to enliven the look of our community centre Jones moves to the next stage of his Nonsensus connected us with a group of architecture Soup event on Wednesday 25th October. By with murals showing the activities which take work. Between these projects many new links students at UWE in Bristol to help us design serving hot drinks and soup off the counter – place inside. It will be a community project. have been made and we also carry on with the and make a food and drink serving counter for and taking it all outside – they got some great We have been working on 'Building Caring monthly open arts gatherings at Maindee Library. the library. We want something that could be feedback for the real thing. The counter also Communities Together' in Maindee for 50 moved around the building and even taken got used for the Newport Photo Marathon years. We celebrate the diversity which enrich Thanks to everybody who has responded so outside for events. on Saturday 28th October. You are invited to our lives and feel sure that the centre is active imaginatively to New Paths: the trustees and come to the Library at 6pm on Thursday 16th in promoting peace at this difficult time." volunteers at Maindee Unlimited have learned November to see the finished item. a lot from the different ways that people have made connections with Maindee. A fuller write-up appears on our blog.
16 17 What's On What's On MAINDEE?
NOVEMBER
7 Toilets: Public Space: Social Justice: Book Online. @ Maindee Library
10am – 4pm, book at www.maindee.org
9 Meet the Author: Ron Jones @ Maindee Library , 7.30pm – 9.30pm, Free
16 New Paths Public Arts Meeting @ Maindee Library, 6.00pm – 8.30pm, Free New paths 26 Embrace Film screening @ The Neon, 3.00pm – 6pm, £3.50 29 Communty House AGM, 5.30pm
DECEMBER
2 Maindee Village Christmas Market. @Maindee Car Park, 2pm – 6pm, Free
8 2Rude Christmas Party @ The Neon, 8.00pm – 11.30pm, £14.50
14 UB40 @ The Neon, 7.00pm – 11.30pm, £37.50
New Paths have been monthly arts gatherings open to the public. Originally as a means for local artists to talk about thier work and developing new creative ideas but today a chance to share the passions or dreams of citizens that work in Newport. Do you have an idea or way of helping people to unify and develop connections? Talk through your idea in a 10-20 minute discussion. This monthly meeting has seen multiple projects created and many small businesses supported Maindee Unlimited would like to thank our supporters: and encouraged to begin. Our aims are to give constructive support as well as develop our community.
If you want to talk at the next event just email [email protected] otherwise come along to the next gathering and listen to radical ideas and fascinating perspectives.
NEXT NEW PATHS SESSIONS: Tue 16th November 2017
18 18 19 MAIND VI A THE GE
XM AS MARKET
2nd Dec 2-6 pm Maind Carpark Local f d and g ds with music and lights! Suorted by local traders and Maind Unlimited. Lights switched on a 5pm!
If you want to trade at the Maind Christmas market 20 please contact Alison on 07837 033090