FUNDRAISING: A keen runner is undertaking an ambitious challenge of completing the equivalent of four marathons in four days for charity. Deb Bowen from Rogerstone plans to carry out the mammoth task of running 26.2 miles per day from September 15-18 and she is inviting other runners to join in alongside her. Debs said she wanted to raise money for Velindre Cancer Centre to show her thanks for the care her late father received “Dad passed away in November. The care he received was fantastic and I felt I needed to show my gratitude.” The challenge will involve five treadmills at Xercise4less in Newport. She said: “There will be five treadmills there so anyone is welcome to take part. I’m hoping to raise £2,000. People joining in do not have to run the full distance. Kylie McKee, of Velindre, said: “The challenge Deb has set herself is absolutely enormous. For me, and I’m sure for many others, to run one marathon would be a mammoth challenge, but to do four marathons on four consecutive days is just incredible. She’s amazing. “We are always amazed by the extreme challenges people set themselves, and the hard work and dedication they put into raising money and awareness for Velindre and for cancer patients in Wales. “We are very lucky to receive such wonderful support.” Neil Rees, general manager of Xercise4less, said: “Xercise4less nationally have a charity of choice each and every month however it is great to support a charity so local and a part of a lot of Newport and Rogerstone residents lives.” So, come on Rogerstone, lets back our Debs, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/Debbie-Bowen5 to donate.

EGGCELLENT PTA EVENT: Rogerstone Primary School PTA is hosting its 2nd annual egg-citing Easter Eggstravaganza on April 8 from11am till 2pm at Ty-Du Community Hall and grounds. There will be a cracking bake-off, Easter themed crafts, an egg-cellent treasure hunt, amazing raffle, refreshments and much more! Details on how to enter the bake-off will follow soon. For information e-mail rogerstonepta@outlook.com.

GOT AN IDEA?: Rogerstone Community Council residents panel was set up to ensure that money from the sale of Bethesda Field was spent in line with locals’ wishes, some money has already been allocated, to cover additional costs of drainage of the Welfare Football pitch (not covered by the section 106 agreement) , and, on the new play facilities, trim trail, BBQ stations and tennis courts, which our community have really enjoyed during the summer. Other ongoing projects have also received funding, several local groups have also received donations from the panel, but, there’s still some money left to spend on ideas that neighbours think will benefit Rogerstone. This money, it’s important to note, has been ‘ring fenced’ by Community Councillors, and, cannot be used for the day to day running of community facilities, so do you have an idea for the area of Rogerstone you live, like a piece of community artwork, or an idea to keep our youths busy, maybe something for our elderly residents - it’s important that all areas of Rogerstone get the chance, to share in this money, then, maybe it can do some real long term good, for our community as a whole. Send your ideas to Residents Panel, IDEAS c/o Clerk of the Council, TyDu Community Hall, Welfare Grounds, Tregwillym Road, Rogerstone, Newport, NP10 9EQ, or e-mail Rogerstonecc@gmail.com using IDEAS Community panel, as the subject.

Y CWT AKA THE HUT: On April 16 starting at noon, Y Cwt AKA The Hut will be organising an Easter egg hunt at Rogerstone Welfare Grounds. There will be prizes for various events including Easter egg hunt within the park, bonnet/egg decorating competitions, a raffle along with a bouncy castle. It’ll be great to have our ‘Y Cwt/Hut’ back open, and this is a great idea to get the season started, see you there?

BUSES: Newport Transport is expanding its network in the city with the launch of a new Rogerstone bus service. The newly titled one service will launch on April 23 and is part of the bus operator’s drive to improve public transport opportunities for people. The service will link both Ridgeway and High Cross estates with Pye Corner Train Station as well as the city centre bus station. It will operate every hour from Monday to Friday and from 7.30am to 6.30pm on Saturdays. Importantly the new service will provide a vital link for commuters in the area as well as more travel opportunities for the wider general public. Operations Director, Morgan Stevens, said: “We are delighted to announce details of our new No1 Rogerstone Service. We have listened carefully to what residents in the area have told us and worked hard to develop a service and timetable that best suits their needs. As the city’s main bus operator we are investing heavily in the network to sustain and build existing services and develop new travel opportunities.” Route and timetable information for the new service will be unveiled by Newport Transport next month. Visit newportbus.co.uk for information.

FACEBOOK GROUP: There’s a new Rogerstone Facebook group called ‘Rogerstone through the ages’ on which neighbours are posting pictures of Rogerstone in days gone by, it’s a really fascinating, and well worth checking out and joining.

COMMUNITY COUNCIL: The next meeting of the Community Council is the last one before the local elections and as current chairman I would like thank to all community councillors in Rogerstone, they are all volunteers. Over the last five years they have worked together, with some notable achievements including a drainage system on the Welfare Grounds football pitch, new kids play area, trim trail, bbq stations, refurbishment of our tennis courts, tennis lessons and donations to local good causes groups and volunteers.

Rogerstone

Chris Evans

chrispevans1@mac.com

07778 279235

www.chrispevans.co.uk