Newport is a sanctuary city that is home to many cultures & languages with a diverse population that contributes to a brilliance in music, food and culture that we often take for granted. 

It leads to a multitude of fantastic festivals and events like Maindee, Caerleon, Rogerstone and Pill that all add something very special to living in the city. 

Recently people have come together to celebrate our Caribbean heritage and the city also looks forward to the Gwyl, a celebration of the welsh language within the city that now attracts hundreds who come to listen to welsh music and  poetry. 

This weekend we see the Yemeni population  hold a  Yemeni Welsh Festival at the Pill Harriers pitch in Pillgwenlly ( 11am to 5pm) and on September 3rd we have Pride in the Port at Belle Vue Park, Newport’s first community pride event with events throughout the day at the park and in venues in the city into the evening. 

Newport has always been a gateway city and I am looking forward to seeing our city of culture bid 2025 progress. We live in a city  steeped in history, from the Neolithic footsteps on our levels, Romans in Caerleon, the Normans who built our castle, the Chartists who gave us democracy and our maritime and steel heritage that literally  forged our mark as a city on a global platform. Our music and art is phenomenal and our food offer mouthwatering. As we turn to a high tech, green future the city is well placed to capitalise. 

We can spend our lives moaning or we can celebrate. I always find myself attracted to positivity and colour and in our diversity there is much to celebrate and be proud of as a city. 

If you get a chance try these two events coming up, they’ll be friendly, safe and welcoming but a great taste of the fun and happiness that can be found on our very own doorstep.