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Beyond Newport: Magor Marsh

What's So Great About Magor? Magor is a village in Monmouthshire. It has a fascinating history and unique characteristics. One of its most interesting features is the Magor Marsh,  a rare and protected wetland that is home to a variety of wildlife, including otters and water voles. It is one of the last remaining areas of natural fenland in Wales. Magor also has deep historical roots, with its name derived from the Welsh "Magwyr," meaning a "wall" or "ruin," hinting […]

today11 February 2025 7

Blog

Beyond Newport: Blackwood’s Chartist Bridge

Newport City Radio is proud to broadcast to many towns surrounding Newport. Beyond Newport is a series of interesting facts about some of theose The Chartist Bridge, Blackwood The Chartist Bridge, opened in 2005, spans the Sirhowy Valley in Blackwood, Gwent, and is named in honor of the Chartist movement. The movement, active in the early 19th century, campaigned for political and social reforms, notably universal male suffrage. Blackwood played a key role in this movement, which culminated in the […]

today10 January 2025 11

Blog

Newport Factoid # 26: Newport Wetlands

Newport Wetlands: A Hidden Gem of Nature and Wildlife The Newport Wetlands is a stunning nature reserve located on the Gwent Levels near Newport, South Wales. Established in 2000 as compensation for the loss of habitat caused by the Cardiff Bay Barrage, it has become a haven for wildlife and a favorite spot for nature enthusiasts. The reserve covers over 1,000 acres and is home to diverse bird species, including lapwings, little egrets, and the iconic avocet. It features scenic […]

today27 December 2024 2

Blog

Newport Factoid #27: Golden Jubilee City

A Reason to Celebrate! Newport, officially became a city on March 18, 2002, as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. The announcement was met with a mixture of pride and debate among residents. Supporters viewed city status as a recognition of Newport's historical significance, industrial legacy, and evolving role as a modern urban center. Critics questioned whether the town possessed the infrastructure and cultural institutions traditionally associated with city status. City status brought increased investment and attention, fueling […]

today20 December 2024 2

Blog

Newport Factoids: #24 Mari Lwyd

Who is Mari Lwyd? Like many villages & towns around South Wales, Newport hosts an annual tradition, a visit by the Mari Lwyd (grey mare) as she travels around the area. The hobby horse, made of a horse's skull mounted on a stick and held by a man in a sheet has been a local folk custom since about 1800 and happens around Christmas and New Year. The Mari Lwyd is accompanied by a group of merrymen, musicians and dancers […]

today13 December 2024 25

Local History

Newport Factoids: #25 Rolling By The River!

Roller Skating, that is! Maskell's in Lower Dock Street was the place to be throughout the 1980s if you were a youngster and roller discos were what the 80s were made for. The roller rink was originally half ice but became a full roller rink in 1982. As with most activities of the era, health and safety were minor considerations, with rough games of British Bulldog and long trains of skaters being the norm. The one concession for safety was […]

today22 November 2024 23 4

Local History

Newport Factoid #20 – Dr. Who’s Tardis

Knock Knock...Who's there? The Somerton TARDIS is a Police box on Acacia Avenue beside the B4237 road (Chepstow Road) in the Somerton area of Newport, South Wales. This police box is the only remaining one of four that were in Newport. It is a Grade II listed building. The police box that dates from the 1930s was given a facelift and decorated with a painted Tom Baker scarf.

today25 October 2024 20

Local History

Newport Factoids #19 – Market Cells

Would you spend a night under the market? Underneath Newport's indoor market are corridors full of cells. These cells, while often rumoured to have been used for people, were more likely to have been used for livestock and storage. But still, you probably wouldn't want to be left down there alone!By Richard "Cookie" Cook

today20 October 2024 19 8

Local History

Newport Factoids #13 Medieval Ship

An Ancient Ship. In Newport! During the construction of The Riverfront Arts Centre in 2002, the remains of a medieval merchant ship were discovered. It's possible to view the ancient ship. Details of how to arrange a visit and more information about the vessel can be found here: https://www.newportship.org/

today4 October 2024 11

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