SALE: The latest jumble sale arranged by the first battalion of fanatical fundraisers at St Andrew’s Church was another rip-roaring success. Once again hoards of people were easily parted from their hard-earned cash and thanked them for the fleecing. These people are very good at what they do I can tell you. Tables full of a weird and wonderful collection items soon became less cluttered by sales techniques that defied logic. If you asked the price of a jigsaw puzzle somehow you walked away with a standard lamp. Personally I narrowly escaped walking out the owner of an indoor cycle because I mentioned my feet were sore from walking the streets. They are currently dreaming up some new money making scam. So, watch this space for the date of the next jumble sale.                       

PARKING: Following last week’s article about dangerous and inconsiderate parking, it appears that the problem is far from confined to just our area. At last week’s council meeting the police divisional commander in attendance faced tough questions from me and many other councillors from across the city on this very issue. It is not a problem that can be ignored any longer and the police will be taking action. Please take note. Anyone parking on a verge, on a pavement, on school crossing lines, or any other potential dangerous situations can expect a ticket and a fine. I will say again, I would rather take a call from an irate car owner with a parking fine than someone reporting an injury because due to pedestrians having to walk into the road because of a dangerously parked vehicle. You have been warned (again).   

HELLO WORLD: Lliswerry and Nash’s Grassroots column is now being published online too. People all over the world will be able to see it. Just imagine how much more bearable those long winter months in Siberia will be now people can join both my regular readers in enjoying all the thought provoking stories it contains. Looking forward to my first contact from another country. Watch this space.  

TRAVELLER SITE: Got lots of calls last week from people in the Nash area about the amount of burning going on at the temporary traveller site in the Tatton Road area. Very frustrating issue to deal with. As most people are aware the site is nothing to do with the City Council. It is a Welsh Assembly responsibility. Nonetheless all the complaints and issues were forwarded to the right department. Apparently WAG officers are constantly monitoring the situation and there is a lot going on in the background (whatever that means).  

JUST MY LUCK: I went canvassing in the Kitty Hawk Drive area at the exact same time a large group of (very nice) Jehovas Witnesses (I have to say that one of them was a former fire service colleague) were doing the same thing. Ironically they don’t vote and I don’t go to church anywhere near as often as I should. I have found myself in some situations over the years but this was a first. It is certainly true not everyone is pleased to see you as a politician. I quickly learned they are even less pleased to see you when they think you are a Jevoha’s witness knocking the door, leaflet in hand a few minutes after they have just told your colleagues to “go away” or words to that effect. I got into an interesting exchange with an elderly gentleman with a hearing aid who kept insisting in a very colourful way “I have already had your leaflet”. No matter how much I tried to convince him otherwise or try to point my leaflet was completely different he wasn’t going to have it. I don’t know about the Jehovas, I put him down as a doubtful on my return sheet. 

EASTER PLAYSCHEME: A free Easter Playscheme is available at the Newport East Community Centre in Moorland Park from: April 10 to  April 13 between 1pm-3pm and April 18 to  April 21 between 1pm-3pm. The scheme is run by fully qualified staff. There is no charge. For information contact the centre on 01633275421.

MEETING: I have arranged a public meeting for Lliswerry and Nash residents at St Andrews Church Hall on April. 20 from 7pm to 9pm. I am happy to sit in the stocks and take any questions on any local issues you may have. All I ask is please treat me with the same respect I treat you. Happy to have a good discussion, certainly not to be shouted at. Don’t shoot the messenger. Please tell your friends.

Lliswerry and Nash 
Allan Morris
07747693429
allan.morris@newport.gov.uk
twitter @liswerryandnash