Work and preparations are now well underway for this year's carnival and if you have not received an entry form for floats/walking entries, or would like to receive an entry form, please contact Jayne on 07814670823 and she will make sure one it put in the post to you.

Field tender forms for burger vans, side stalls, etc, are also now out and if you have not received one, or would like to receive one, please feel free to contact Jayne.

As you know, we had a lot of stick from Newport City Council over last year's carnival, particularly about the rubbish in the park after the carnival.

As we run our carnival on little funding we cannot afford to employ Newport City Council parks' department to clear the park of all rubbish after the carnival so we would like to put out tenders to groups (ie children's activities that take place in Pill who need to raise their own funding for their activities) and we will pay these groups out of carnival funds to clear the park of all rubbish the day after the carnival (Tuesday, August 28).

Anyone interested in putting out a tender please contact Jayne on the above number or call and see her at the Pill Millennium café.

We are also appealing to all local businesses in the area of Newport. If you could make a donation towards the carnival it would be most appreciated.

It does not matter how small or large the donation is, or whether it is by way of money or raffle prizes, anything will be greatly appreciated.

The Pill Carnival do not seem to receive as much in grants or funding from the relevant authorities as other groups in Newport do - so we always rely upon donations, etc, for our yearly event which brings thousands of people into Pill on the day which, in turn, helps local businesses.

PRAM RACE AND FUN DAY: Entry forms will soon be out for the Pram Race - so come on all you mums and babies.

We will once again be giving a prize for the best-dressed mum and the best-dressed baby as well as cash prizes for the winners and second places of the race.

FUN DAY: The Fun Day for the children and adults will take place outside the Pill Millennium Centre this year and will be on Spring Bank Holiday, May 28, from noon-6pm.

There will be plenty for all to do with some side stalls, children's sporting activities and dancing activities - a lovely day to be had by all.

The children always have a lovely day at the Fun Day and it is also a good day for raising funds for the carnival so if you have any ideas, or would like to offer your services for help, please feel free to contact Jayne.

CARNIVAL QUEEN: It is hoped that the annual Carnival Queen competition will take place on the last Sunday in June (24) at the Pill Millennium so come on all you young ladies, start getting geared up to enter this wonderful competition.

Ann Barton always sponsors this competition and puts a lot of hard work into it so it would be nice to see a big turn out once again for this event.

The competition is open to anyone who lives in Newport aged 5-18 years. There is a £50 cash prize and gifts for the winners.

SPORTS PROGRAMME: April's sports activities will be held at Newport YMCA, Mendalgief Road, and are aimed at children aged between 7-16 years.

Monday, 2: Dance 11am-noon; football noon-2pm.

Tuesday, 3: Multi-sports 2pm-4pm.

Wednesday, 4: Dance 11am-noon.

Thursday, 5: Multi-sports 10am-noon; football 1pm-2pm.

Wednesday, 11: Dance 11am-noon.

Thursday, 12: Multi-sports 10am-2pm.

Friday, 13: Dance 11am-2pm; multi-sports 10am-noon and 1pm-3pm.

TRAINING PROJECT: Congratulations to Lewis Enos, Luke Burnell-Morgan and Ryan Bradford who are now working on the Chapel Court site to continue their carpentry apprenticeship.

Junior Healey and Brian James have also been given the opportunity to complete their apprenticeship.

Communities First would like to thank Leadbitter Construction and S C Moore Building Contractors for giving these lads an opportunity.