Newport Wetlands

Lots to see

This week the wetlands were swarming with brightly coloured birds. Not just mallards on the ponds, but crayoned masks covering faces of children enjoying the outdoors and warm toasty cafe.

The air was filled with shrieks of laughter and shouts of excitement. The paths were awash with pushchairs and children kitted out in wellies and anoraks.

A coot hidden in the reed beds

This was half-term.  Generally this area is a place of quiet solitude. The odd dog-walker or jogger visible on the perimeter with birdspotters heading out amongst the reed beds towards the nearest hide, their cameras at the ready and tripods balanced over their shoulders.



Run by the RSPB, the shop provides information on birds you are likely to see as well as food and equipment to encourage wildlife into your own garden.  At half-term  they also provide paper and crayons and throughout the year arrange interesting projects for all the family to enjoy.

Judith James is the Artist in Residence 2014 and a selection of her paintings can be seen at the RSPB Newport Wetlands Centre.  She is regularly on site painting and drawing, holding 'open studio' sessions. Later in the year, as her project develops, she will be holding workshops for children and for adults.

For more information on Judith James, use the link below:

www.saa.co.uk/art/judithjames

Visits to the Wetlands are free of charge, but projects do incur a small charge.

Newport, Gwent, South Wales

For those of you who enjoy visiting cities, why not try Newport, Gwent?  Comments made recently by Simon Gibson are quoted below.  Newport has an historic Transporter Bridge across the river Usk.  Vehicles and people are carried high above the high-tide water level to allow shipping to pass unhindered. 

Bellevue and Beechwood Parks are amazing city parks, and Newport Castle, although it can only be viewed from a distance, has a river gateway comparable to that in the Tower of London.  The river mud required manoeuvring by medieval boats at high tide to gain access.

Timbers from a medieval ship could prove a huge attraction for tourists, if the money can be found to complete its restoration.  Found in the river mud whilst digging the foundations of the Riverfront Theatre, a few years ago, this treasure could equal the Mary Rose.  Lets hope the remains are not just sold off for firewood!

Simon Gibson is the head of a Welsh Government business development project for Newport.

He explained recently, "...the location of Newport is unique, being the first stop into Wales from London."

"I don't know a city in Wales where you can get from the major motorway to the city centre within two minutes."

"Newport also enjoys one of the most beautiful hinterlands of any city in Britain, in Monmouthshire, and we don't play that up enough."

"We are the undisputed technology capital of Wales.  We don't play that up anywhere near enough.  The city has key strengths in its capabilities in technology, particularly in things like homeland and cyber-security."

Newport was once a great port moving coal and iron to Cardiff, Bristol and overseas, and importing goods in exchange.  Remains of the old quayside can be seen at low tide close to the Kingsway Centre.

http://www.newportgwent.co.uk/

http://www.newportpast.com/

 

Coastal Path Events & Transporter Bridge

Tides coming in...

Wales Coastal Path will open in May 2012.   Explorers will be able to walk from Chepstow in the south, following the coast for 850 miles to Queensferry in the north.   This glorious asset to Wales will display the wide variety of seascapes around our coastline.   


The gleaming mud flats of the Severn, the golden sands of Swansea, the magnificent Cathedral at St Davids, are a few which come to mind in South Wales, as well as Barmouth and Criccieth Castle in the north.

Wetland mudflats

To celebrate the opening, events are planned for Cardiff, Aberystwyth, and Flint on May 5th.  Contact Helen Howlett via email helen-howlett@monmouthshire.gov.uk.

Newport City Council are planning a

Newport 'City to Sea' Walk

on

Sunday, 6th May 11am-1pm.

extending from the Newport Transporter Bridge to the East Usk Lighthouse at Newport Wetlands, I'm sure it will provide an enjoyable experience with some fantastic photo opportunities.

See you there !    

The unusual and iconic Newport transporter bridge was opened in 1906 by Lord Tredegar.   This bridge, now one of only six of its kind still working, in the world, was designed by F. Arnodin, a Frenchman.  

To avoid obstructing the once busy shipping lanes, of the river Usk, the gondola, which carries passengers and traffic from bank to bank, is suspended on a steel structure high above the river banks.   The height above river level may, at first, appear excessive, but this river boasts one of the highest tides in the country.

Closed in 2008, a £1.2 million restoration saw the bridge reopened on 30 July 2010 and although only open for 193 days during the following year, 40,000 crossings were recorded by pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and vehicles.   But progress in the shape of the George Street Bridge and the Southern Distributor Road, opened in 1964 and 2004 respectively, swallowed 80 per cent of the bridge's traffic.  

A controversial decision by Newport Council has recently deemed the bridge a tourist attraction with changes to both the opening times and charges to come.   Access will be available to both the gondola and the overhead walkway.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newport_Transporter_Bridge

  
 Friends of Newport Transporter Bridge:   http://www.fontb.org.uk/