Newport has been declared a Fairtrade City. It joins Cardiff and Swansea as one of only three Welsh cities to achieve this accolade so far. The award comes after 18 months hard work by Newport Fairtrade Steering Group and a high profile launch in September 2006 by the then Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr and Mrs. Miqdad al-Nuami. A range of promotional events was organised, including a sell-out Fairtrade Fashion Show in the Newport Centre, Schools Fairtrade Art Competition and exhibition in the Ffwrwm, Caerleon and Fairtrade film show at The Riverfront. John Griffiths, AM for Newport East, is delighted: “This is a great achievement for Newport. I am tremendously proud that people in our city have made an important commitment to change their lifestyle habits. We are now shopping with a conscience and directly helping third world producers to make a sustainable living. The Council’s fantastic campaign has been matched by a collective effort from local people who are clearly passionate about helping others and want to play their part in addressing global poverty. Switching to choose Fairtrade products will trigger a positive change in communities in developing countries. With Newport’s help, a community in Africa, Asia, or Latin America can build more classrooms, employ a part-time nurse or construct a road so they can get their produce to market. The direct benefits to farmers and workers in the developing world mean they in turn will be able to begin to make changes to their lives and environment.
Newport has the 28 shops and 14 cafes, offering at least two different fairly traded products, needed to meet the Fairtrade Foundation’s strict criteria. A list of these outlets will be available in Newport’s Fairtrade Directory 2008, sponsored by Newport City Council, Newport Initiative and Voice Media. This will be launched during Fairtrade Fortnight which starts on 25th February.
CITY WINS FAIRTRADE STATUS
WETLANDS RESERVE CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
RSPB Cymru has issued a call for volunteers to work at the Newport Wetlands Reserve. The Reserve is a highly popular attraction attracting wide interest from its base in Goldcliff. A new visitor centre part-funded by the City Council will open shortly. A spokesperson stated "Here at Newport Wetlands we will be welcoming volunteers with open arms as we begin to recruit the pioneering team of people, willing to give their time freely to help get the visitor centre off to a flying start. " A day of sessions for all who are interested in volunteering will take place on Thursday 24 January at the University of Wales, Newport - Allt-yr-yn campus from 10am to 12pm, 1:30pm to 2:30pm and 6:30pm to 7:30pm. The sessions will be a friendly introduction to RSPB Cymru and a chance to discover more about volunteering at Newport Wetlands.
For more information about attending the sessions or to find out more about the volunteer roles available, please contact Jonathan Cook on (029) 2035 3047, email volunteer.cymru@rspb.org.uk or visit www.rspb.org.uk/wales/volunteering
POLICE WARN OVER RISE IN NEWPORT BURGLARIES
Police in Newport want people to make sure their homes are secure at all times after a rise in burglaries since the turn of the New Year. Dwelling house burglaries have dropped by 28 per cent over the last three years, but police want to quickly crush the recent increase. Since the beginning of January, 37 burglaries have been reported in Newport, 13 of which were through insecurities to homes. Statistics show that one in three burglaries in the city occur as a result of doors or windows being left open. People of all ages have fallen victim to opportunist burglars who have literally walked into their homes without needing to break in.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Webber said: "We have managed to reduce dwelling burglaries in the past three years through engaging with communities, effective neighbourhood policing and the targeting of known offenders. But we are urging people to ensure they lock the windows and doors of their premises, particularly when retiring for bed."
ANOTHER JOBS BLOW FOR THE CITY
In another jobs blow for Newport steel firm MD Fabrications has called in the administrators after accruing debts of £500,000. Twenty jobs will be lost as a result. The Queens Hill based firm joins Alphasteel and the South Wales Argus in the round of job losses in the City.
ALWAY MAN FINED FOR GIVING ALCOHOL TO CHILD
Police in Alway have arrested a man aged 50 for supplying alcohol to a child aged 14. The man admitted given eight bottles of lager and a bottle of vodka to the teenager. He was given a fixed penalty notice of £80 for the offence and warned that any repetition will lead to further action being taken. Last month, officers handed an £80 fixed penalty notice to a licensed shop in the Ringland area for selling alcohol to a 16 year old boy. Between October and December, the Alway neighbourhood policing team confiscated 95 litres of lager, 47 litres of cider, 20 litres of spirits, and four litres of wine from youngsters.
MORE DELAYS TO MARKET BUSES
Councillor Ken Critchley, the City Council's Cabinet member for Transport has expressed frustration at the failure to provide stopping bus services at the rear of Newport Market. The delays have occurred because of traffic signalling issues but the work is expected to be complete by the end of the month. Bus services will stop at the rear of the Market in a newly built area of shelters and receive priority access onward to the Old Green Roundabout. Initially, only Stagecoach services will use the facility. But it is not expected to start until the beginning of February. Councillor Critchley advised the monthly Council meeting that he was aware of the problems caused by this for traders in the Market.
SECOND APPEAL OVER MISSING MAN
Police in Newport are re-appealing for information regarding the whereabouts of missing 19 year old Mohammed Shahidur Rahman, known as Shahidur. Shahidur has been missing from his Corporation Road address since September 23, 2007. He is described as Asian, of an average build, with dark brown eyes and short dark spiky hair. Police are re-appealing to Shahidur to get in touch to let them know he is safe and well and for anyone who may have seen in to get in contact on 01633 838 111. It is believed he may have visited Stoke on Trent since he was reported missing so the appeal extends to the Staffordshire area.
