On Friday, October 19, we attended a presentation and awards evening at the leisure centre, which was organised by GAVO (Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations).

We had entered DRATA under the Communities First title and were there to give support to our organisation and to all the others who had entered in different catergories. It was well attended and the buffet was superb. A lot of hard work had gone into the organising of this event and the awards given was proof of the effort made by all the entries and the hard work that goes with putting it all together. There were two entries under the Communities First title and the highly commended went to the Duffryn Food Co-op Ladies and Bob Barry, who was there to cheer them on. When the winners were announced and it was DRATA we were overwhelmed and the children were overjoyed, especially our Ryan Hathaway who has worked so hard and given his all as one off the young people who helped to make the project happen. When Rosemary Butler AM for Newport West, presented the plaque he was delighted. We were delighted to receive the framed certificate and the plaque that had been engraved.

Further down the programme were the sports volunteers who also took one of the awards and supported by Lucy from Duffryn Community Link. The Supreme Volunteer award was announced and believe me when my name was read from the entry letter I was over the moon. It was a pleasure to receive this award from the Mayor Councillor Allan Morris and I would like to thank the people who entered my name and especially those there on the night for the support and applause I received. I would like to say publicly that this was the proudest moment of my life and although I have had the pleasure of having tea with the Queen on her 80th birthday, this night surpassed everything. Thank you everyone.

The next meeting for DRATA is Monday, November 12, at the Duffryn Community Centre, at 7pm.

Neighbourhood Meeting:On Friday, October 19, this meeting was held at the Community Centre and many items were discussed and traffic calming measures were shown on maps that the council had brought.

Many items were discussed and we hope that matters needing attention will be given priority and we can have answers at the next meeting.

The next meeting will be in the New Year and will be in the evening.

Newport Velo @ British Disability Track Championship: Last weekend two of the Newport Velo Youth Cycling members were at the British Championships at Manchester Velodrome and up against some of the best in the world.

It was a big step up for James Brookman, 13, who took part in the CP3 category and Nathan Tyrell, 15, in the B and V1 tandems piloted by Andrew Davis.

These riders are in the disability category and points are awarded according to the percentage of time against the world record. The first event was a flying 200m sprint where solo riders are given three and half laps and tandems five and a half to build up speed and complete a flying 200m at the finish.

James Brookman was first with a time of 16.213 and 77.284 points.

Next Nathan Tyrell piloted by Andrew Davis in the visually impaired category notched up 13.009 and 80.032 points.

Newport coaches Neil Smith and Bryan Pilot were very pleased with the results from these young riders and commented "they showed excellent skills in the execution of their respective events and show great promise for the future of disability cycling in Wales for under 16s.

"To get within six points of their senior competitors at such a competition is a great result."

Anyone can go to the Velodrome and on a Saturday morning it is an experience to see the action of the able and the not so able.

It is well worth supporting.