Schools

The standard of music in Caerleon continues to be outstanding and has been there for all of us to enjoy during this festive period.

Caerleon schools Christmas Carol Concerts had a tremendous start on 30 November with the annual cluster concert at St Cadoc’s Church. The concert was a sell out again and everyone was treated to traditional carols and performances from the choirs, orchestras and soloists of all ages.

Caerleon Endowed Infant School has been busy with their concerts from the very youngest in the nursery to the children of the top classes all performing to full houses. They have all been involved in lots of Christmas activities including a multitude of foil, glitter and sparkly stuff. They have been to the pantomime at the Riverfront and held their annual Christingle service on 13 December at St Cadoc’s Church.
Even with all this activity the children are being encouraged to become ‘Global Citizens’ so that the school can become a ‘green flag school’ with a ‘green ethos’. Our Community can help them to achieve this by delivering old Yellow Pages and Christmas cards to the school for recycling after 15 December.

Caerleon Endowed Junior School’s Christmas Concert was held over three days with different year groups for each production and told the story of a family’s preparation for Christmas with the help of the Christmas fairy, of course. The audiences were treated to traditional and modern songs and carols, choral and solo pieces and musical accompaniment by the children. Stage sets and back drop designed for each scene, and the costumes were also first class.
Local councillors presented a certificate, on behalf of His Worship the Mayor of Newport, for the contribution the children had made to the Poppy Appeal at the Youth Festival in October see photo).

Caerleon Comprehensive School’s Christmas Carol Concert took place on 8 December. The packed audience, which included Caerleon councillors, was treated to a fabulous musical medley which included bagpipes played by Ryan Wiggam, harp recital by Laura Cowburn, a solo with Rhian Humphries singing Handel’s ‘And the Glory of the Lord’, and a Christmas poem ‘Christmas Eve’ by Amelia & Emma McKechnie-Welsh. There were traditional carols and classical pieces by the choirs and orchestras, and Bible readings by Ryan Hopkins, Rhian Lewis and Alice Appleton.

Lodge Hill Junior School Carol Service - St Cadoc’s Church was full of the Christmas spirit as a result of a most enjoyable evening of music and Christmas carols provided by the school’s choir and musicians. The choir soloist was Hannah Loder and Bible readings were given by Thomas Daniels, Kaine Watkins, Eleri Farr, Daniel Gibson, Hannah Bevis, Tegan Howells, Katherine Jones, Evie Mayo and Abbie Euston. The standard was excellent and the children’s enthusiasm and joy shone through, making this a memorable evening for everyone.
Congratulations to the pupils, Headteachers, Governors and staff of all the Caerleon schools and last, but not least, the Gwent Music Support team who provide such invaluable assistance and support.

Caerleon Poppy Appeal – His Worship the Mayor of Newport, Cllr Ken Critchley, has thanked the young people of Caerleon for their outstanding fundraising success on behalf of the 2005 Poppy Appeal. Certificates will be presented, by your local Councillors, on behalf of the Mayor, to commemorate their achievement and contribution which helped to raise £6,140.00 for 2005 (£100 more that 2004). Many thanks to all who donated to this important charity.

Caerleon Arts Festival – A highly successful and enjoyable fundraising evening for Caerleon Arts Festival was held at the town hall on Saturday 10 December. ‘Gypsy Jazz’ music was provided the first class musicians to a packed audience including Rosemary Butler AM, Caerleon and Newport Councillors. Congratulations to the committee and we look forward to the 2006 Festival.

Caerleon in Bloom – Gwent School of Dancing held an evening of entertainment, in aid of Caerleon in Bloom, at the town hall on 9 December. It was a feast of dance which included ballet and tap, traditional and modern pieces. The evening was a sell out and hopefully will be repeated in the New Year. Local councillors and committee members attended the evening and a certificate, on behalf of His Worship the Mayor of Newport, was presented to Jackie Dovey, for the contribution the School of Dancing made to the Poppy Appeal at the Youth Festival in October.

Newport Women’s Forum Bursary – This Annual Award was set up in 1996 by Rosemary Butler AM, and a group women from around Newport, to provide financial assistance for any woman (aged over 18 yrs), or group of women, in Newport to ‘turn a dream into a reality’. The Award has assisted women from all walks of life to further their education, publish poetry, set up a business, set up support groups, produce a photographic exhibition at the Riverfront theatre and much more. The Award relies entirely on fundraising and many thanks to Jill Jupp for her recent coffee morning which raised a magnificent £420! For further information please telephone Rosemary or Gail on 01633 222523.

Litter bins – additional bins have now been introduced along Fosse Lane by NCC to reduce the serious litter problems in this important historic area of our town.

2005 has seen the reintroduction of Caerleon in Bloom, another successful Arts Festival, developments in Youth Activities, highly successful fundraising activities by our community, first class achievements by our schools and young people and increasing international recognition as an important historic and tourism centre.

We look forward to more success in 2006 and wish you all a happy Christmas