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.”

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.”