What is it about the City of Newport Male Choir that they just seem to get better and better?

This year's annual concert in front of a packed house at their favourite venue (St Patrick's) was a sensation.

I don't know whether it is the venue or the enthusiasm of the audience but St Patrick's always seems to bring out the best in them. Accompanied by guest artiste Samantha Talbot who also delivered a highly polished performance sounding better than ever and singing with absolute ease.

The choir stated their intention by starting with what many choirs would choose as a big finish (Men of Harlech).

Accompanied as usual by note perfect Barbra Davies they sang a total of twenty two songs all different all superbly delivered.

They were singing at their very best and it showed on their faces, they were enjoying the concert as much as the audience.

(As usual musical director Frank Jones tried his usual recruiting drive for new members. Men, if you want to be part of one of the best choirs around he would love to hear from you. Contact me and I will pass on your details) The concert was not without controversy and argument. To me the highlight of the evening was the fourth set (of six) containing Take me Home, Danny Boy, A-Men and Bring him home.

Newport East MP Jessica Morden would beg to differ their version of her favourite song Gwahoddiad brought her to tears.

My colleagues John Richards Roger Jeavons and Ken Critchley disagreed with us both they simply loved them all.

Here's advance notice of something really special. On March 1, 2008, the choir will be performing a unique St David's Day concert with the fantastic Newport Scout and Guide Gang Show Choir at the Riverfront theatre. Watch this column for details.

Expert Advice: Many readers will be aware of my love of wildlife. As a legacy to our mayoral year Jane and I thought bit would be a good idea to make the grounds of the mansion house a nature reserve.

The idea being to provide a habitat for as many wild creatures as possible. So, we called in the experts to help us. If you need expert advice you get the best.

Step forward the youngsters from year 2 at Lliswerry Infant school under the command of Susie Hunt and Liz Clarke or was it the other way around.

Armed with bat boxes, bird boxes log piles, insect houses, hedgehog boxes and a selection of bird attracting trees an army of 10 youngsters set about their task with some gusto I can tell you.

What was most amazing is they not only knew what they were doing but also the importance of why they were doing it Under the guidance of the councils wildlife experts Matt Chandler and Andy Briscome aided and abetted by David Morris, Jenny Lovell and Bill Kershey the kids did a fantastic job.

The way the city council team worked with the children was inspirational, They explained the purpose of everything they did in a way the children (and a mayor) could fully understand.

Tea break was interesting with the children demolishing a plate of cakes quicker than a plague of locusts. Still they had earned them.

It was a day of smiles that the children (and the council team) will remember for a long time to come and the city's wildlife will benefit from for even longer.

Hold the Front Page: I called in to the nerve centre of Newport's fastest growing newsdesk to meet the production team of the Busy Lizzy, the newsletter of Liswerry Junior School.

This is one slick operation I can tell you. The team of ten all sat at their state of the art computers made me feel quite inadequate. They even started writing a piece about my visit while I was there and a photo appeared in seconds.

I was so impressed that I have promised the kids that I will publish one of their articles in next weeks Grassroots.