DRATA AGM: On Monday, October 1, 2007 DRATA held their annual general meeting at Duffryn Community Centre. Trevor Watkins was re-elected as chairman and Keith Bennett was re-elected as vice-chairman.

Thanks to everyone who attended and for their support over the last year. We hope to have many items to take place in the near future and we are hoping that we will see more of the tenants and residents.

Don't forget this association is there for you, please come along and give your views or complaints and we hope to be able to help. The next two meetings for this year will be Monday, November 12, and Monday, December 17. All meetings are at the community centre and start at 7pm.

COMMUNITY CENTRE: The community centre held their annual general meeting on Monday, October 1, and Anthony Boswell was re-elected as chairman, Jean Watkins as vice-chairman and Sheila Lloyd as treasurer/booking officer. Nominations were received for the committee vacancies and they are now filled. The centre is very busy and bookings mean the centre is in use on a regular basis.

If you need to book the centre please telephone 01633 817743 between the hours of noon and 3pm, or 7pm until 8pm.

GRASS VERGES ON TREDEGAR HOUSE DRIVE: We are delighted to see that the contractors have now cleared these verges, and we hope they will be kept clear of any rubbish being thrown.

Pride of Newport Team has commenced work on the Duffryn estate with regard to fly-tipping. If anyone is caught fly-tipping action will be taken against them with a maximum fine of £2,000. Any information received regarding fly-tipping please contact Duffryn Housing Office or Councillor Trevor Watkins.

DUFFRYN BUSES: Please note that in the near future it is proposed to alter the identification numbers of the route into Duffryn and extend the route to Celtic Springs and Morgan Way. More information will be available at the neighbourhood meeting on Friday, October 19 at 2pm at Duffryn Community Centre.

Also at this meeting information regarding traffic-calming measures which will be introduced.

ST THOMAS' CHURCH NEWS: It was a sad day for the congregation when the vicar, Canon Jennifer Mole, said she was moving on to pastures new.

In eight years she has made a tremendous difference to this parish, and was known both in Maesglas and Duffryn for her work and help.

Children of Duffryn Infants were known to say many kind words regarding "The Reverend Jennifer", and she always had time for anyone with a problem or who needed help of any kind.

On Wednesday, September 26, 2007 she had an induction at St Mary's Church, Panteg, and is now the rector of St Mary's Panteg and vicar of St Michael's Llanfihangel Pontymoile. We were all so sorry to see her move on, but we wish her well and happiness in her parish.

BINGO: For the new residents moving into Duffryn, Sheila and her people would like to welcome you to an evening of bingo on Thursdays and Sundays at 7pm in the Duffryn Community Centre.

There will be no scouts meetings held in Duffryn Community Centre as the Tuesday evenings have now been taken by another group.