National recognition

The award of National Nature Reserve confirms the value of the reserve in ecological terms and the importance of the wide variety of creatures that dwell in it. What was once partly an industrial eyesore is now home to some of the UK's rarest birds and mammals.

There are few, if any, better examples in the country of former industrial wastelands being returned to nature with such stunning effect.

As predicted for years in this column, since the opening of the visitor and educational centre visitor numbers to the reserve have rocketed, and will continue to do so.

So why is this such great news for people living in our area?

If I had written in this column just a decade ago that within ten years people would be coming to Newport to look at the extraordinary and rare wildlife living within a few short miles of the city (or town as it was then) centre, I would have been laughed at.

If I had written that our children would have access to some of the best environmental education facilities to be found on this planet, few would have believed me.

Well, here's another prediction. I have spent some time with many groups of youngsters (and lots of young-at-heart older folk) being enthused and educated by the small army of volunteers who make the Newport Wetland Reserve such a special place. We might be in with a chance of saving our planet from the environmental mess my and previous generations have created.

The fightback starts at places like the Newport Wetland Reserve.

A National Nature Reserve in industrial Newport, who would have thought it? People with vision and the drive to see it through, that's who. Thanks to everyone in the partnership including Newport city council, the Countryside Council for Wales, the National Assembly, the RSPB and a whole host of other organisations and individuals who made it happen.

BUS BOTHER: Out and about in the area recently I came across a group of irate bus users waiting at a bus stop in Lliswerry Road. It is never wise for a ward councillor to approach a group of residents when they don't look too happy. But, before I had chance to cross over I was in among them facing the full wrath of their anger. Apparently their bus was running ten minutes late and they were not happy about it.

As it is a well-known fact that ward councillors are responsible for everything on the planet, they expected some action.

I rang Newport Transport and started ranting about the bus being late, only to have a big green bus pull up loudly behind me, to the joy of the bus users and annoyance of the manager.

Everyone clambered onto the bus and I was left alone, eating humble pie to a Newport Transport manager who had so obviously heard the bus come and go as I was ranting.

Luckily the cavalry arrived in the form of another group of local people walking past, who also complained about erratic bus times. Never have I been so glad to have my ear bent.

Fair play to Newport Transport, they did listen and responded very quickly. They have arranged for their customer liaison people and support inspectors to monitor the quality of bus services through our area.

They will be travelling on the buses and talking to passengers about the service being provided. Please be gentle with them, it could result in a better service.

LYSAGHTS PARK: Thanks to comments from our football clubs and residents living in the vicinity of Lysaghts Park the ward councillors have managed to speed up a few subtle improvements to the area around the new multi-use games area in Lysaghts Park.

The MUGA is being well used and serving the purpose for which it was intended by giving youngsters in the area something to do and somewhere to do it.

The improvements were both aesthetic and practical, including improved pathways and turfing of some of the seeded areas surrounding the facility.

There is a little concern about some graffiti attacks on some of the surrounding equipment. Police and ward councillors would appreciate any information that can identify the culprits. It is our intention that they or their parents meet the cost of the damage.

Once again, thanks to everyone in the area for their co-operation in sorting out the few teething problems.

DOG FOULING: If you will forgive the pun, if there is one issue that is getting under the noses of residents the entire length of our ward it is the problems caused by irresponsible dog owners failing to clean up after their dogs. (This issue is not just confined to our area either.) As they hit the streets during the council election campaign ward councillors are inundated with complaints by people who are disgusted by the actions of an irresponsible few. Dog mess is no laughing matter. Dog owners (myself included) if you go out with your dog don't leave their mess for someone else to step in.

DON'T FORGET: If you like beautiful music played in a historic setting where the wonderful acoustics will transport you to a different era, then the Grade I listed St Mary the Virgin Church at Nash is the place to be at 7pm on May 6, 2008, for a performance of baroque music by the incredibly talented students from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Tickets cost a bargain £7 and can be booked in advance from Audrey Weston 277915.