IT'S nearly ten years since Jan Preece founded the Pillgwenlly Heritage Centre.

Many people at the time said its involvement in the community would never stand the test of time. Well, it has.

Much to Jan's delight they've been proved wrong, and his passionate faith in the local cosmopolitan community now knows no bounds.

This Newport boy, who played the drums in a rock 'n' roll band in the 60s, drove for one of the big city haulage companies and finally ended up as a self-taught freelance Press photographer, sees a new and enlarged future for his "community dream".

Expansion is the key word in Jan's vocabulary at the moment. The centre has just had a visit from officials of the European Social Fund, who told Jan that they were proud to be associated with such a venture and were impressed with the fact "that he and his associates spent their European grant exceptionally well".

Their fact-finding visit signals yet more financial help for a centre that has more failed lottery grant applications than Jan would like to mention, but has stuttered along with the aid of private investment, community help and school visits to see how Pill lived and coped 60-odd years ago.

Expansion looms for the Quiet Women's Row Heritage and Arts at the Pill Heritage Centre, to give it its full title.

The Quiet Women's Row Caf Bar and Restaurant is an integral part of this complex, and has recently been upgraded, with its Czech chef, Joseph Mairten, giving diners on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings the experience of Czech and Polish dishes and other tasty recipes from Eastern Europe.

That expansion is but a starter for what shortly follows, the installation of office suites and conference rooms with full facilities for the disabled, giving the centre an important role in training and job creation.

On top of that, Jan plans a 70-metre-long former Pill street, where there will be community craft workshops.

The size and length of the street is obviously constricted by the size of the present building, but Jan has faith that it will be a successful venture.

At the bottom of the street will be a railway arch that will have a dedicated puppet theatre with professional stage lighting.

News of that has sparked much interest.

Finally, with Christmas not too far away, there is an invitation from Jan to enjoy a nostalgic Victorian celebration with all the trimmings.

The upgraded restaurant will take just over 40 diners, and whether it's an anniversary or just a plain old-fashioned party, you're more than welcome!