Spotlight on Newport 31.3.23

“Support tradersintheir hour of need”isthe message to residentsinNewport as localbusinesses look to bounce back after araftofchallenges.

With arichhistory dating back to the12thcentury andscoresofindependentbusinesses,manyoffering goods that can’tbefound on theinternet,Newport hasplentytooffer to both locals andvisitorsalike.

Localcouncillor PeterScott said businesses had gone througha tough time duetothe pandemic,cost-ofliving crisis andthe closureofSt Mary’s Streetdue to safety fears.

Buttraders hadshownresilience in thefaceofadversity andwerenow readytothriveagain,withthe backingofthe public

He said:“When people come to visitustheycome back againand again. They aresurprisedatwhat abeautiful town we have.It’sbeen achallenging timefor businesses, particularly in St Mary’s Street,and Iwould encourageeveryone to go down thereand supportthem.”

With arichhistory dating back to the12thcentury,the market town of Newporthas plentyto offervisitorsofall ages

Some of thetown’smedievalbuildings still remain after survivinga fire in 1665 andcan be seen amongstthe predominantly Georgian andVictorian buildingsonthe High Street.

At theheart of thecommunity stands St Nicholas’s Church, oneofthe town’s most recognisable buildings. It hasstood in some form or anothersince the 12th century, beingrebuiltin 1360.

Thechurchisopenfor prayer andquiet reflection andonSt. George’s Day, April22, thetower will be open anyone interested in findingout more aboutthe artofbellringing

Visitors arealsoinvited to climbtothe topofthe towerto catchaglimpse of thetownfrom adifferent perspective. The towerwillbeopenfrom10am to 11.30am and1pm to 2.30pm Thechurch’sbell-ringerswill be on hand to show visitors the ropes, with theopportunity to have agoatchiming abell.

Thereisalso St Peter&St Paul RomanCatholicChurch, whichhas alonghistory dating back to theearly 16th century when it wasconnected with the CatholicTalbotfamilyofLongford Hall.Visitorscan seemany rich andbeautiful 20th century stainedglass windows designed andmadebyMargaretRope.

Thereisalso TrinityChurch ajoint Methodist/United Reformed Church, whichcan be foundinWellingtonRoad.

Anotherwell-knownlandmark is Cosy Hall,which had been amusic hall in 1925,a Gospel Hall in 1881 andacoach manufactoryin1852.

Whynot visiticonicmarket?

From traditionalfruit

andveg to artisanproduce,craftsand home decor, Newport’sIndoor Market offers avibrant shopping experience in theheart of thetown.

Built in 1860, the landmark building is home to awidevariety of stalls andfriendlytradersare onhand to serveshopperseveryFriday andSaturday, from 8amuntil 4pm. Themarket hall,which also offers anumberofpop-upstalls, hasentrancesonStaffordStreetand on Market Mews,off St Mary Street.

Some of theregular stalls include Houndthe Twist whereyou will find arange of yarnsalong with crochetand knitting accessories. NewportCountry Market is acooperativeofpeoplehavegot together to cook,craft or grow itemsfor sale within themarket hall,whileMeridanLifesells arange of healing crystals andmeditationaccessories andatDollies Dungarees shoppers will find children’s clothesmadeout of brightcolourful fabric,together with children’s hand crochetedtoys.

TheHeartfulHome hasanarray of hand-painted furniture, pretty buntingand wreaths, vintageand antiques allinspiredbyFrenchbrocante, rustic farmhouse andcountrylivingstyle

1MoreChocolate offers arange of high qualityhandmadechocolatesfor alloccasions,including

Aneclecticmixof antique,vintageand retrocollectables!

Books,ceramics,glassware, lighting,jewellery,silver, bears,toys,games,pictures, smallfurniture ANDMUCHMORE!

Call01952443639•Emailgilbeysantiques@btinternet.com

24StMary’sStreet,Newport,Shropshire,TF107AB Tue-Fri:10am-4pm,Sat:10am-3pm,Sun&Mon:Closed

chocolatebars, solidchocolates, filled chocolates,truffles andwedding favoursmadeusing high qualityBelgian chocolate. Forfresh produce, there’sWalker Butchers selling locally-sourced meats, beef,freerange pork and chickens,homemade beef burgers, localShropshirelamb, awide rangeofhomemade sausages,dry sliced bacon, home-cookedhams, localporkpiesand cheese andthere is also greengrocerofferinga vast

selectionoffresh fruitand vegto choose from as well as henand duck eggs

WhileGill’s Fish offers some of the freshest fish availablewitha choice of fresh, smoked andshell fish,and Martin Moyden,ofMoydensCheese Emporium,has been selling cheese at themarket forthree years.

Visitors cantakea moment to sit andenjoy some refreshments while catching up with familyorfriends at TheFlyingPig,and thePastry

Box, afamily-run, artisanproducer, offers handmade pies,tarts andpastries, with an emphasis on traditional,sometimesforgotten, classics,using thebestlocal ingredients.Petsare also cateredfor as TheDogsHealthShopprovides treatswithbenefits, includingjoint care,digestion,skinand coat care, as well as health supplements. n Forthe full list of stalls,visit www.newportindoormarketshrop shire.co.ukorcall01952 820283

NestledintheheartofNewport,theGuildhall isanenchantingweddingvenueforcoupleslookingfor somethingspecialfortheirbigday

TheGuildhallisavailabletobookatweekendsbetween 10am–4pm,TheGuildhallisalsoavailableforcivilpartnerships, babynamingceremoniesandvowrenewals.

Tel:01952814338|enquiries@newportshropshire-tc.gov.uk |www.newportshropshire-tc.gov.uk

OwnerNigelPaskinatThe Dogs Health Shop

OwnerDan Smith openedThe Flying Piglast year

St NicholasChurch

Spoilt forchoicein an area rich in history

MATTHEWPANTER

matthew.panter@mnamedia.

Atownrichinhistory and stores whichwill leaveyou ‘spoilt forchoice’,the chamber’schairperson KarenWoodcock says theShropshiretownisone to be proudofand canreallythrive, moving forward.

Marvellous

“It’sawonderful town,” she said.“TheHighStreet in Newport provides aspace wherevisitors, residents andbusinessesare able to mixfreely.

“Asone of thewidesthigh streetsinthe UK,the pavements provideeasyaccess forall and, with theHigh Street,the cobbles of St Mary’s Streetora visitto ourmarvellousIndoorMarket, it really does leave people spoilt for choice!

“Wehaveanamazing rangeof morethan45independentshops

“Newport offers awidechoice forshoppersfrommusic shops, artgalleries,home decor, soft furnishings, fashion, jewellery, bicycles,antiquesand collectibles,

fabulous food andgifts which make perfectpresentsfor friends andfamily. And, of course,we have shopsstockingwell-known brands such as Sophie Allport, Cath Kidston, Fairfax&Favor, Salthouse andDubarry of Ireland andmanymore.

“Our picturesque market town is also home to majorstoresincludingWaitrose, Boots, Peacocks, B&Mtomention afew.Why wouldyou go anywhere else?”

Many saytowncentresneed to be much more than justabout shopsnow,but more of awhole experience

AndKaren added: “Our beauti-

fulcanal will providealeisurely walk andyou will be rewarded with an arrayofwildlife.

“St Nicholas Church,located in thecentre of town,isaninteresting visitwithbeautiful stained glasswindows andfascinating architecture

“Wehavefreeparking andbusinesses that aredementia-friendly anddog-friendly. Newportwelcomesyou whoeveryou are!

“Thismarkettownissteeped in historywithbeautifularchitecture andsomanyfantastic events each year.”

Sheadded: “Itreallyisagreat placetobe.”

Range of services what makes theareasogreat

“A services powerhouse with everything you can’tbuy online!”

Newportcouncillor TimNelsonisamong thosechampioning thetowncentre as aplace to visit.And he says itsservicesare a keyaspectofwhatmakes it an importantgo-to place.

“Hairdressers, barbers, beauty,tanning, financialservices, medical, property andlegal ser-

vices–the rangeand qualityis breathtaking,and allfocussed on helpingyou

“There arewonderful individual food stores,charming indoor market andatraditional butchers.Newport is athing of beauty.A joy to be in andajoy to buyin.

“It’sa quaint medieval town with architecture from down theages,whenyou canbuy the

latest hairstyle, andthe most fashionableindependentgifts. It hasanold-fashioned feel,but not in thesense of out-of-date, insteadmorethatthere is tangiblefriendlinessand community

“Peoplestill know each other andsmile,theywelcome newcomers on theHighStreet and in theshops.Visitors always remark that everyone is so friendly.”

“Why go anywhere else?” is themessage from NewportChamberofCommerceto thoselooking forthe idealshoppingexperience.

Newportoffersawealth of shops stocking allsorts of products

What traders have to say aboutthe town

Welcoming community that reallyfeels like home

“It’sthe onlyplace outsideIreland I’ve ever felt at home,” is the messageabout Newportfromshop ownerFrankie O’Connor Frankieisthe owner of Newport MusicStore,havingtaken overthe HeyJude’sbusinessfrom long-standingowner Jude Paton last year

AndtradinginNewport is areal family affair as hiswifeTracey owns Objects, ahomewearand gift shop in town

They movedtoNewport two yearsago,havingbeenvisitingfor

14 yearswhileFrankie wasinthe military basedatMarket Drayton.

“What’snot to love about Newport?” said Frankie. “It’sthe community,everybodyknows each otherand everyone makesyou feel welcome

“Everyone says helloand they gettoknowyou in five minutes.

“It’safairlybig town butitfeels likeavillage in that way. We’ve livedlotsofplacesand never really felt likeweknewanyone, butin Newportweweremadetofeelwelcome rightfromthe start.

“We’ve only livedherefor two yearsbut it feelslikewe’ve lived here always.It’sthe only placeoutside IrelandI’veever felt at home

“Even my brother-in-law,who onlyvisited foraday,saiditwas theonlyplace he couldsee himself living in England.

“WhenItookonthe shop, we automaticallybecamepartofthe communityovernight

“Everybodycomesin andwants to supportyou rightfromthe beginning. It’s been greatand we’ve hadsomuchsupport.”

n Lisa Baker–Owner of Deli4Caféand Coffee Shop

“We’ve gotfreeparking,lots ofindependentshops, coffee shopsand places to eatwitha varietyofdifferent businesses

“PeopleinNewport arevery friendly andapproachable. Ilove meetingall thedifferent people andmakingnew friends. I’ve made so many newfriends from having Deli45 andwewelcome everyone,whether adults, kids, babies or dogs,withopenarms. It’s just such afriendlytown.”

n Rose Palmer –Owner of ZigZags haberdashery

“I wouldn’t have takenthe shop on if it hadn’t been in Newport.WhatI love most about Newportisthe community and beingpart of such agood mix of independentshops andbusinesses.Not many places have ahaberdasheryintownthese days.I also reallylikethatall threehighschools arequite central, whichmakes it very convenient if you have children.”

n Michelle Walsh– Owner of Oh SewBlueSky home interiorsand gift shop with herbusinesspartner Sara Brettle

“Weget alot of people comingintoushereinNewport to buyour Frenchic paint, then they turn around andsee allour home wearsand startlooking at whichoneswill look perfect with theirchosenpaint

“I’m notactuallyfromNewport,IliveinCodsall butI’d move here tomorrow if Icould It’s gotthat‘holidayfeel’,especially on asunnyday.It’ssucha pretty town.Everybodyhereis lovely andthe town hassucha goodfeelabout it.”

Packed calendar full of events

Visiting Newporthas becomeabout theexperience –not just itsshopping pull butits events too.

Paul Syrda–DirectorofNewport Events CompanyCIC,which organises aseriesofannualeventsinthe town,isamong thosetobeplaying a keyroleinattractingmorevisitors to thetowncentre

As Chairman of NewportCarnivalCommittee,along with agreat team,recordnumbers have been arriving foreventssince thepandemic– 10,000 people attended last

MATTHEWPANTER

matthew.panter@mnamedia.co.uk

summer’s carnival.Hesaid: “Newport is abrilliantmarkettownwith afantastic rangeofindependent businesses anda fabulousmarket hall

“Wehaveathriving‘event’ scene, whetherit’sthe street events ourteamofvolunteers arrange throughout theyearfromNewport Carnival to Food Frenzy andthe Christmas Market,toeventsorganisedbyour localpubsand community centres.

“The events draw people in from

outsidetownwho then gettoenjoy ourshops, eateries andother businesses

“Lastyear’scarnivalsaw crowds of more than 10,000 people in our high street

“All thetown’seventshelpto show offhow amazing Newportis to visit, live andworkin.

“It’sabeautifultown, with apicturesque canal, stunninghistoric buildingsand incredibly welcoming andfriendlypeople.

“Whenyou addina vibrant, variedand accessible high street scene with afantastic rangeofindependentshops, cafesand bars,Newport

hasprettymuchanythingyou need rightherein town.”

This year’s carnival returnswith atheme of ‘Fantasy,Fairy Talesand Superheroes’onSaturday, June 10

Mr Syrdasaid: “We’re hoping to bringevenmorepeopleintotown forthisyear’sevent

“It’sthe biggest,freeannual eventinNewport and we’reworkinghardtomake2023the biggest andbestcarnivalyet

“Ever sincebringingthe whole carnival into thecentre of town, we’veseenitbring such ahuge boosttohigh street businesses, who arenow part of thewhole daytoo.”

TheNewport Junior School floatatarecentNewportCarnival.The carnival returns on Saturday,June 10 this year

Paul Syrda andAndrewGriffin, from NewportEventsCompanyCIC,with town traders ahead ofaFood Frenzy event

Jude Patonwith Frankie O’Connor

Sara-JaneBrettle andMichelle Walsh at Oh SewBlue Sky Photo: Telford&WrekinCouncil

Newportispackedwith shopsand businesses that make it agreat place to shop andvisit.

Butitcan also boastapackedcalendarofevents, includingthe annual carnival andthe popularNewport Show,which takesplace in July

Theone-day agricultural show, held in Chetwynd DeerPark, is a real showcaseofwhatthe area and itsbusinesseshavetooffer

Residentsare also lookingforward to St George’s Daynextmonth andthe annual celebrationthatsees acolourful procession throughthe town’s streets.

Andthe town canalsoboast a rangeofclubs andsocieties who band together to help thoseinneed acrossthe community. Theefforts of these people were recognisedrecently with avisit from High Sheriff of Shropshire,Selina Graham,who praisedtheir commitment anddedication.

Awardmarks Siobhan’swork withelderlyin thecommunity

Acommunity engagement manager hasreceivedanaward from theHighSheriff of Shropshire, Selina Graham

SiobhanDavis,46, from Perton,who works forNewport-basedHome Instead, washandedthe High Sheriff’s Awardatawell-beingevent held in Dawley Town Hall

Theaward wasinrecognition of “great andvaluableservice to thecommunity”.

Siobhanworks forHome Instead, aprivately ownedcompany whichprovidescaretoenable peopletocontinuelivingindependentlyinthe comfortoftheir ownhomes. Part of her role involves hergetting outintothe community.

However,Siobhan hasundertakenalot of work underher owninitiative to rundementia memorycafes, hasorganised ‘BeaSanta to aSenior’toprovide giftsfor lonely andisolated pensioners,and is currently organising an Easter campaign to help combat loneliness and isolation

Sheworks in clubsand churches andalsogiveseducational talkstoolder peopleabout scams, whichshe runs with through theNationalTrading StandardsAuthorityFriends AgainstScams programme.

Siobhansaid: “I wastotally shockedtoreceive theaward

“I foundthatmanypeople were wantingtoknowhow to find informationtohelprelativesand friendsaftertheyhad received adementiadiagnosis.”

High Sheriffpraises helpers

Shropshire’sHighSheriffhas honoured atown’s volunteers andcommunity groups.

TheHighSheriff of Shropshire, Selina Graham,visited Newport Town Counciltomeetand thank localcommunity andvolunteerorganisations.

When she firsttookonthe Royal appointmentlastyear, MrsGrahamvowed to seek outand celebratethose whomakea difference to theircommunities.Apassionate volunteerherself,she hasspent much of thelastyearvisitingcommunity groups acrossthe county to thankthemfor theirdedication.

Dedicated

On hermostrecentvisit,she attended Newport’sGuildhall to meet some of themanyvoluntary organisationsand communitygroups, who have dedicated theirtimetoimprovingthe town andits residents’ lives.

Morethanadozen community groups were honoured on theday, includingThe Hub, NewportCottage Care Centre,the town’s history society,Newport Shropshire CommunityLitterPickers,The Shrewsbury andNewport Canals Trust, NewportinBloom,Newport Navy Club,Newport Lions, DementiaFriendlyNewport andNewport ChamberofCommerce.

Newportcouncillor TimNelson, whoattendedthe event, saidhewas proudtorepresent atownsochockfull of communityspirit.

He said:“It wasverymuchthe best of Newport. We areblessed with thedegreeofvolunteering that goes on here,and this visitreally showed thescope covered by our volunteers.”

Councillor Nelsonsaidhewas amazed by how much wasdoneby

thecommunity,fromthose cleaning up thestreets to thosefeedinghungryfamiliesorstaffing thetown’s charityshops.“It broughthome to me that really we have aland army of volunteers,” he said.Mrs Graham said:“Shropshireisthe most wonderful county with arich cultural history, andindustrialheritage, beautifulmarket townsand villages andstunningcountryside

“Butitisits peoplewho arethe

beatingheart –and itspeoplewho canmakesuchadifference.”

Dr Nick Tindall, chairofNewport CottageCareTrust,saidthe meetingprovideda chance forthe volunteers to sharetheir experiences. He said:“It wasreallyinteresting, areallywell-runevent. It allowed us to allsit around andhaveachat. It wasamazing to have achanceto gettoknoweachother and find out what is goingonaroundtown.”

NestledintheheartofNewport,theGuildhall isanenchantingweddingvenueforcoupleslookingfor somethingspecialfortheirbigday

TheGuildhallisavailabletobookatweekendsbetween 10am–4pm,TheGuildhallisalsoavailableforcivilpartnerships, babynamingceremoniesandvowrenewals.

VolunteersfromThe Hub share theirexperiences

Morethanadozen communitygroupswerehonouredbyHigh SheriffSelinaGraham at theevent

High SheriffSelinaGraham with volunteersfromNewportgroups

Siobhan with SelinaGraham

Town gearing up for St George’s Dayfun

MEGANJONES

megan.jones@mnamedia.co.uk

Newportisgearing up forits 10th St George’s Daycelebration.

Foroveradecade, theEnglish patronsaint’s dayhas been celebratedinNewport with extra gusto. Each year,hundreds of residents andvisitorslinethe pavementstowatch theparadewhich includes dozens of thetown’schildren,dressed as tiny dragonsand St Georges,marchingdownthe high street

Theprocession is followed by alivedragonslaying before the dragon is turned into sausages andhandedout to thecrowd

Jugglers,buskers,Morrisdancersand street performers provide afew hoursofentertainment in theannualevent that hasbeen describedbyorganisers as apicturesque Englishvillage event.

This year,onApril 22,the tower of St Nicholas’s Church in the town will also be open,for anyone

interested in findingout more about theart of bell ringing.

Forthose with alittlemoreenergy,the public is also invitedto climbtothe topofthe towerto catcha glimpse of thetownfroma differentperspective

Thechurch’sbellringers will be on hand to show visitors the ropes,withthe opportunityto

have agoatchiming abell.

Amonth-longfundraiser marked thecountdown to thecelebrations, with businesses around thetowncollectingspare change to fund localcharities.Residents andvisitorstoNewport areencouraged to drop theirspare change inthe brightred buckets, aiming to raisea‘mileofcash’

Inspired by thehistoricmileof pennies, atradition that would seepennies linedback-to-back for amilethroughoutthe town,fundraisers arehopingtoraise athousand pounds forlocal charities.

In thepast, donationshave helped fund Newport’sX-ray appeal, thefoodbank,and some of thetown’schildren’s clubs.

TheStGeorges Daycelebration will take placeonSaturday, April 22 from 10am.The high street will be closedfrom12pmuntil 1.15pm to allowfor thefestivities

Thetower at St Nicholas’s will be open from 10am to 11.30amand 1pmto2.30pm

Thosewishing to join in with theprocession areencouragedto contactNewport Town Council.

Oneofthe town’s knights

St Georgedoesbattlewith thedragoninapreviouscelebrationinNewport town centre

Thousandsexpectedatannualshow

As oneofShropshire’s best one-day shows, the NewportShowdraws crowds of thousands each year,yet remains acommunity eventat heart.

This year’s show returnson July 8, having been at theheart of Shropshire’srural communityfor more thanacentury

Everyyear, putting theshow to-

DESIGNEDFOR THE

gether involves notonlystaff and volunteers from Newportand DistrictAgriculturalSociety,but hard workfroma host of local firms.

Contractorsand businesses of all kindshelporganisers transform Chetwynd DeerParkintothe show whichwelcomesthousands of peoplefromacrossthe country.

Show managerSally Western said:“Everysinglebusinesshelps contribute towardsthe widershow –and we’redelightedtoworkwith everysingleone to make each year’s

NewportShow asuccess.The support of so many localbusinesses really does make adifferenceand helped make agreat success of our triumphant sell-out show last year

“Fromhelping show offthe best of ourtown’shighstreet,topromoting Shropshire’s best shopping, even throughtothe knock-on effect that ourevent hasfor tradelocally –helpingour community’s businesses thrive is hugely importanttous.”

This year,the show is setto welcome PeterWright, star of the

EVENETT&BISHOPopticians

EvenettandBishopOpticianshavebeenlookingafter theirvaluedcustomersinNewportfornearly25years. Theyofferaprofessional,friendly,relaxedatmosphere withapersonaleyecareserviceusinguptodate innovativeequipment

Atypicalappointmentlasts30minutesandincludessight testingandeyehealthassessmentstoensureyoureyes andanyprescribedlensesworkharmoniouslytogether Alleyeexaminationsaretailoredtoyourindividualneeds takingintoaccountanyvisionproblemsyoumaybe experiencingathome,workorinleisuretimeaswellas anyconcernsrelatingtoafamilyhistoryofeyeproblems.

SimonBishop,SteveEvenettandtheirteamarealways happytodiscussallofyoureyecareoptionswithyou.For moreinformationortobookanappointmentpleasecall 01952810808orpopinto35HighSt,Newport.

Channel5 documentaryshowThe YorkshireVet,and Michelin starred celebritychefGlynn Purnell.

Organisers arecurrently on the hunt forbusinessestojointhe the long list of sponsors making the show possible each year.Sponsorshippackages areoffered on apersonalisedbasis, formoreinformationcontact sponsorship@ newportshow.co.uk or call 01952 810814

n Forticketsormoreinformation,visit chetwynddeerpark.co.uk

Newport Showreturns on July 8, having been at theheartofShropshire’s ruralcommunityfor more than acentury,and it isarealcommunityeffortwith lots of localbusinesses involved