NEWPORT City Homes (NCH) held their fourth Residents’ Festival at the Newport Centre on Saturday, which was formally opened by Mayor Cliff Suller.

It featured an environmental theme with information stalls from stakeholders such as the RSPB, Keep Wales Tidy, where children could make bird feeders from recyclable materials, Re-create who showed how to up-cycle through play, and Scent and Sensibility who displayed a green wall of plants which can help to reduce energy costs.

Wastesavers took the opportunity to launch their Metal Matters campaign, a local metal recycling initiative run by Alupro.

Rachael Davies, the event organiser, said: “I was overwhelmed by the support I received from my colleagues and our partnership organisations. The positive feedback from the residents attending the event made all our efforts worthwhile.”

Chris England, chairman of the NCH Board, said: “The support of the Mayor and partners was tremendous and the event provided an array of opportunities for residents to engage with us and other organisations on key themes and access helpful information.”

Information and advice was on hand from many of Newport’s social landlords including NCH, Linc Cymru, Charter Housing, Newport Housing Trust, United Welsh and Melin Homes.

Newport City Council’s Home Options team were also present together with their Communities First colleagues.

NCH’s Tenancy Support team ran an internet café to help residents get online in order to save money on their household bills.

Newport community groups, DRATA and Bettws Friendship Group had stalls alongside the Newport Carers’ Forum.

Residents were able to leave their feedback of the day in the highly popular video booth.

Other attractions of the day were the Boulders climbing wall, the South Wales Fire Service and the police.