Talent on display

What is true is that few people outside the Scout and Guide movement will even be aware that over a hundred youngsters, supported by dozens of adults in front of an audience as enthusiastic as they are, gave three hours of top-quality entertainment of song, dance and comedy sketches that would be a credit to any theatre in the country.

When you enter the gang show auditorium the first thing that hits you is that everyone, audience and cast, are there to enjoy themselves.

There is an air of joy and happiness that is found in few other places. It is also very clear that they are proud of the uniform they are wearing and the myriad organisations within the Scout and Guide movement they were representing.

The show itself was nothing short of fantastic. The youngsters in the show had the ability to make the hair stand up on the back of your neck with their singing, or tears run down your cheeks with their comedy sketches.

Always on hand were many of the adults who encourage and inspire them in the background and are not afraid to be laughed at on stage, either.

As an organisation we take for granted just what the Scout and Guide movement do for our youngsters. There is no other organisation in the UK that does more to keep our youngsters off the streets and out of trouble.

This year the Scouting movement celebrates its 100-year anniversary. That is an awful lot of youngsters grateful for the fantastic start in life the movement has given them. Long may they continue to do so!

DAYBREAK AT THE WETLANDS:Was I dreaming, or did I really count 46 people at this year's 5.15 am dawn chorus walk at the Nash Wetlands?

This record number of insomniacs joined honorary warden Marcus John for an early-morning (or late-night, depending on your viewpoint) stroll around the reserve listening to the unique sounds of the many individual species of bird that frequent the area.

Despite the event coinciding with a change in the weather, instead of a beautiful golden dawn the morning was the first grey one for weeks, it didn't seem to bother the birds.

Marcus was in his element as he stopped to identify so many different species by their sound alone.

Robin, Cetti's warbler, reed warbler, blackbird, sedge warbler, wren, cuckoo, (I already knew that one) chaffinch, whitethroat, and the amazing sound of a tree creeper, to name but a few.

Lots of other birds were also on display in the form of egrets, Canada geese, coots swans and more ducks than you could find in a Peking restaurant. The walk was both a visual and audible education for everyone.

The walk also ventured into a newly opened small woodland area which opened a whole new dimension to the sounds to be heard. It will also be fascinating for future visits by young children exploring the habitat of small mammals and amphibians that inhabit this area.

The biggest commotion of the morning came over an hour into the walk when the happy but tired throng were looking (and listening) out across the foreshore and someone caught a glimpse of a whimbrel. This sent the serious twitchers into raptures of delight, and the first-timers off looking for a cup of tea and a warm bed.

As the twitchers were enjoying this moment, sad news came through that a fox had killed and part-eaten a female swan on her nest of eggs. This brought a timely reminder that despite being mainly man-made the reserve is a truly wild area where the creatures that inhabit it are subject to the laws of nature.

The dawn chorus walk goes from strength to strength. This time next year the early birds who partake in it will be able to finish the walk in the comfort of the new visitor centre for a well-earned breakfast and the opportunity to buy a commemorative T-shirt which I hope to sell during my mayoral year in aid of my charities.

CYCLE SPEEDWAY: Newport Cycle Speedway Club recently hosted the Welsh Junior Open Championships on their state-of- the-art track at the Spytty International Sports Village.

Attracting top-class riders from across the country as always, the event was as exciting as it gets with the 100-plus crowd enjoying every moment.

The riders put on a dazzling display of skill, courage and stamina in what is still one of the UK's most under-rated sports. In a keenly fought contest the results were as follows: 1st Thomas Reed Exeter 19 2nd Josh Brooke Ipswich 18 3rd Carl Jarvis Leicester 17.

The club also ran a novices' event for their younger members. The young riders produced some fantastic racing, indicating that the sport in Newport has a great future. On a very hot day girl racer Louise Carmichael stormed to victory against the boys.

1st Louise Carmichael 20 2nd Corey Jones 19 3rd Kieran Mahoney 18.

Well done to the hard-working small army of members at the Newport Cycle Speedway Club who toiled in the background to ensure that the event was a great success and encourage the youngsters. Club training sessions continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Spytty Park track (outside the Velodrome) new riders are always welcome.

WALK FOR CHARITY: Want to do your bit in the fight against cancer and enjoy yourself as you do it? Pink Fizz cancer charity are looking for fun-loving people to join them in a charity walk on June 3.

If you don't feel like walking, how about helping out behind the scenes as a marshall or committee member? There are two walks to choose from, a 13.5-mile hike for the real enthusiasts, or a four-mile stroll for the less energetic.

Either way you will get to meet some great people and have a good laugh.

Walk starts at 11 am on June 3 from the riverside car park near the new footbridge. Registration from 9.15am.

Further details can be obtained from Pauline on 07799 617164. You can also support the charity by attending the first Pink Fizz disco on July 14 at the Newport Rugby Club. Again, ring Pauline for Details and tickets on 07799 617164.