A FOREST-themed parade involving more than 100 people and watched by several hundreds was the highlight of the annual Bettws community festival in Newport.

The parade, including two model trees as its centrepiece, a forest banner, participants dressed as forest plants, flowers and creatures, and children waving leafshaped flags, brought a touch of colour to Monnow Way on an overcast day.

Among those taking part were children from Newport High School and Millbrook Primary School.

The parade ended at the high school, where mayor of Newport Councillor Margaret Cornelious opened an afternoon of fun and games, including stalls, and music and dance from Newport Batatan Samba Band, GLD Dance, Bettws Boxercise, and Bettws Civil under-eights.

Organised by Communities First and supported by Bettws In Bloom, the festival also involved Bettws’ schools, St David Lewis Church, the Christchurch Centre, Newport City Homes and its contractor, SERS, and Barratt Homes.

“This is a real community-based event, and we must also thank councillors Val Delahaye, Glyn Jarvis and Noel Trigg, who have supported it through their community budgets, and the community police officers, who did a great job,” said Caren White, of Bettws Communities First.

“Arts development officer Granville John also did a great job working with the schools.”