Newport my home town is situated in South Wales and lies on the banks of the river Usk. You can’t miss the river it bisects the city, numerous bridges link up the two sides of the river. You might have heard of the famous transporter bridge (www.crowpoint.co.uk/transporter_bridge/). An electric powered gondola passes between the tall towers, When I was a kid a journey across it was an exciting event it felt as if you were going to a another distant place -us Welsh don’t expect a lot.
The river has one of the biggest tidal ranges in the world, at low tide the sticky mud banks are exposed. Many find these mud banks ugly, but I quite like them and they are home to lots of different types of birds who also seem to like them. Newport is a port city with a rich history, its home to a diverse population, the city has been described as being ugly and post industrial. Well it is a bit rundown but all that is changing, the city is being redeveloped, a new bridge has been built, extensive demolition is taking place combined with the creation of a new shopping centre, we will even have a Debenhams store! All this change has created a feeling of hope and optimism for a better future.
In 1839 Newport was the scene of the chartist uprising. The Chartists advocated electoral reform and sought political rights for a wider stratum of society than what was then included. You still sense that commitment to social justice and helping the disadvantaged in Newport today. There’sa emphasis on providing decent housing and improving peoples living conditions. I was brought up in one of the many council estates that lie around the city. Its sort of an ideal, that can have a funny side. I do get a bit fed up with the classical music (Of the stirring type) that they pipe into the bus station each morning.
