• I would like to offer my congratulations to Ruth Jones, who has been elected as the new Member of Parliament for Newport West. Ruth will be a brilliant MP; I am sure she will work tirelessly to help constituents and ensure Newport West has a strong voice in parliament, following in the footsteps of Paul Flynn.

I look forward to continuing to work for Newport alongside Ruth, Jessica Morden MP, Jayne Bryant AM, Newport City Council Leader Debbie Wilcox and our hard-working councillors.

• Newport Rock Collecting, Winding Snake’s project funded by the National Heritage Fund, are looking for people who were going to gigs in Newport in the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s to take part in their latest exciting project. The project are looking to hear your stories and learn about your experiences. Working with Oliver Blackmore, the Collections and Engagement Officer at Newport Museum & Art Gallery, the project are building a collection of Newport’s rock past, featuring a collection of music memorabilia, featuring anything from ticket stubs, setlists, band t-shirts and fanzines, to costumes and instruments.

Whether you saw your favourite band debut in LePub, witnessed a performance at the legendary TJ’s in Clarence Place (formerly El Seico’s) or maybe met your musical hero at the Kensington Club, I’d encourage everyone to take part in this brilliant project and take a trip down your own musical memory lane.

To share your Newport gig stories, please enquire about making a contribution to the Newport Museum & Art Gallery’s collection and get in touch with Winding Snake via email: rock@windingsnake.com or via 07716 243217.

For more information about the project – please visit www.rockcollecting.co.uk

• Fit and Fed returns this Easter Half Term at a variety of sites across Newport. Fit and Fed is a nationwide campaign led by the award winning Street Games charity. The programme aims to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people at risk of holiday hunger and inactivity. Activities will include various sport and fun physical games delivered by a qualified coach. Please get in touch for more information on 01633 757613 or register directly at the participating community centres which include the Hope Centre, the Share Centre, Bettws Civil Service, Pill Millennium Centre and the Gaer Community Centre.

• It was very sad news to hear of the death of Ron Morris which feels like the passing of an era in local Labour Party politics. Ron was a stalwart campaigner for his local community as a Gwent and Newport councillor and carried on helping charities and good causes after stepping down. A valleys boy who played football for Crystal Palace, he was one of Newport’s most popular Mayors in the year our city’s status was granted. It was a privilege to serve with Ron on Gwent and Newport Councils and work alongside him in the Labour Party. He was a good friend and is a great loss to his family, the Party and our community.