Hundreds flock to Maindee festival (From South Wales Argus)

Hundreds flock to Maindee festival

2:40pm Sunday 5th July 2009

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HUNDREDS of people enjoyed a free cultural festival in Newport yesterday.

Now in its 14th year, Maindee Festival was organised by the Maindee Festival Organisation and this time took on the theme of forests of the world.

As part of their 1,000 trees campaign, the organisation has already planted 500 trees in Kenya this year and plans to plant 500 more trees in Newport over the next year.

The event costs between £10,000 and £15,000 each year to put on.

Nearly 2,000 people joined the parade from Newport Rugby Ground at 12pm.

It then went along Corporation Road, Harrow Road, Rugby Road and Eton Road before making its way back on to Corporation Road and into the grounds of Maindee Primary School where the festival continued until 7.30pm.

The walking parade featured impressive bird and butterfly costumes and local school children in their tree costumes which they had made themselves.

The parade was followed by live music on the stage by the likes of Newport Gospel Choir, Urban Circle artists and Cascapella.

Organisations such as the Environment Agency for Wales, Mentro Allan and Communities First had stalls set up in the grounds and there was also an arts tent offering activities for children.

John Hallam from Maindee Festival Organisation said the festival was a fun day out for people to come together and understand each other’s cultures.

Assembly Member for Newport East, John Griffiths, said the festival is important to help bring communities together and help overcome any misunderstandings and negative perceptions.

Donna Brend from Duffryn said the parade is great for children.

Her daughter Laura Brend, eight, took part in the parade and said she enjoyed the workshops run in her school by the organisation.

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