Latest news with #KevinWard
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Talking Up the Port: All the good things about Newport
It is more than eight years since I last wrote a regular opinion column for the Argus. So much has changed since then… or has it? The last column I wrote back in 2017 talked about the rise of conspiracy theories, fake news, and incessant negativity on social media. That certainly hasn't changed – in fact, it continues to plumb new depths. The good news is I won't be harping on about issues like that in this column. In fact, good news is what this is all about – and, in particular, good news about Newport. Now I realise you might be coughing and spluttering at seeing the words 'good news' and 'Newport' in the same sentence, but bear with me. This column will celebrate all the great things that are happening in this city. And, believe me, there will be no shortage of subject matter. Some people might remember that for a few years, I ran a weekly social media slot, on what was then Twitter, called 'Port Hour'. It was all about giving people, businesses and charities a space to share the brilliant work they were doing in Newport. That is exactly what this column seeks to do. But with more words. Sometimes that will mean sticking my head above the parapet, but a few slings and arrows in return for promoting the city that I've called home for the last 36 years will be a small price to pay. No doubt there will be a few insults flying around on social media, but I can guarantee that I'll have heard them all before, and they will be like water off a particularly large duck's back. What I really want is for this column to be the place where the voice of the silent majority is heard. The people who run fantastic businesses in Newport, or brilliant charities, or terrific events, or just give up their time to benefit their communities, and whose voices often get drowned out by the sound and fury of social media. There are many of them, and they far exceed those who do nothing but sit behind a keyboard and whinge (and, yes, I get the irony of me sitting behind a keyboard and whinging about people whinging!) So I'll be writing about places like Newport Arcade, Tredegar House, Rodney Parade and The Place; about projects like Positive Futures and The Gap; and charities like Free Bikes 4 Kids and Raven House Trust. But I also want to hear from you about the great things you're doing in Newport. Just email me here – kevin@ – and I'll write about you. The golden rule of this weekly column is simple – it will be unremittingly positive about Newport. It will give a platform to those who love their city and want to shout about it. Because if we don't do that, then who will? Kevin Ward is a Newport-based media and management consultant and a former editor of the South Wales Argus. All views expressed in this opinion column are his alone and do not necessarily reflect those of any organisation with which he works. Kevin is not receiving any payment for this column.
South Wales Argus
22-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Newport Now gift card now available in digital format
The Newport Now gift card, designed to encourage spending in Newport city centre, is now available in a digital format, allowing shoppers to pay using their phones at participating businesses. Kevin Ward, manager of Newport Now BID, said: "This new digital offer is a great addition to our popular gift card scheme. "We know some businesses, particularly smaller ones, prefer contactless payments and today's launch means this will suit their needs and we think more local shops, bars, cafes and restaurants will sign up to accept the card as a result. "Buying and sending a digital Newport Now gift card couldn't be simpler and we hope to see more people backing city centre traders, the majority of whom are small independents." Launched in 2017 by the Newport Now Business Improvement District, the scheme has seen more than 1,500 cards sold, generating at least £40,000 of spending in the city centre. The digital card can be sent instantly via email or text and added to digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay using the free Love Local app. Recipients can then use their phone to 'tap to pay' at participating businesses. The cards can be spent at more than 40 city centre outlets, including both national chains and independent shops. Businesses and organisations can also send digital cards to staff, customers, or clients. The physical card remains available for those who prefer a traditional option. The scheme is run in partnership with technology firm Miconex. Colin Munro, CEO of Miconex, said: "Digital gift cards overtook physical gift cards in popularity for the first time in 2024. "People want the ability to instantly send a gift card to friends, family and staff members that they can add to digital wallets – and that's what they can do with the new digital Newport Now gift card. "The digital version of the card means supporting local in Newport is easier than ever, particularly as a way for organisations to easily reward their staff, and provide a tangible boost to the Newport economy at the same time." Both the digital and physical versions of the Newport Now gift card can be bought at:
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Journalist who helped shape newsrooms across the UK dies aged 53
A journalist who helped shape newsrooms across the UK has died aged 53. Mark Templeton, a father-of-two who spent nearly a decade at the South Wales Argus, died on June 8 at a care home in Wrexham, two years after being diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare and incurable neurological disease. His mother Anne and brother Andrew said: "Mark loved music and the news from an early age, hosting a show on hospital radio in his home city of Wrexham when he was just 16 years old. "He was a fantastic son, brother, and the best dad to his two boys. "The illness he suffered – PSP – is so cruel and awful, but he fought it very bravely and still loved listening to music until the end." Mr Templeton served as news editor and then assistant editor of the South Wales Argus from 2004 to 2012. Kevin Ward, former editor of the Argus, said: "Losing Mark is absolutely devastating for all his family and friends, but particularly for his two young sons. "Mark and I were great friends for more than 20 years and we had some brilliant times together. "I will miss him terribly. "He was energetic, witty, huge fun to be around and a superbly talented journalist. "To see the effect PSP had on him at such a young age has been heart-breaking." Mr Templeton began his journalism career in 1989 as a trainee reporter at the Evening Leader in Wrexham. He rose to deputy news editor before a brief period freelancing in the United States. Returning to the UK, he worked as education correspondent at the Lancashire Telegraph before joining the Oxford Mail as local government correspondent. He later returned to Blackburn as news editor and went on to run the newsroom at the Western Daily Press. In 2004, he joined the South Wales Argus as news editor and was later promoted to assistant editor, overseeing the paper's fast-growing digital presence. After leaving Newport, he led the newsdesk at the Echo in Basildon before transitioning into public relations. He held roles at Medway Council and later became head of communications at the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation in 2016. In 2022, he launched his own business, Spark PR, which he ran until his diagnosis in 2023. Mr Templeton's funeral was held in Wrexham on June 26. PSP affects around 4,000 people in the UK and causes problems with balance, movement, vision, speech, and swallowing, worsening over time.
The Guardian
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
A first-class service by Royal Mail again
Following my letter (23 June) complimenting the Royal Mail on delivering a letter from another reader to me with no house number, street or postcode, this week I received another addressed in exactly the same way from Peggy, who writes 'Just checking whether Royal Mail can do it twice. Maybe first time was a fluke.' Evidently not. Perhaps it's my fame as a beyond-'genius' Word Wheel player that's helped locate me?Kevin WardQuorn, Leicestershire 'What would British culture be like if Oasis had never existed?', asks Dorian Lynskey ( 1 July). If nothing else, it's hard to imagine the final scene of the 1996 BBC TV drama Our Friends in the North being anything like as devastating without Don't Look Back in Anger playing out on the PennReading, Berkshire Read my outdoor thermometer: 35.3C. Converted it to fahrenheit: 95.5. Immediately felt nearly three times hotter!Valerie GidlowFaversham, Kent As a newly qualified teacher in 1978, I marked all work in green ink (Letters, 30 June). It seemed kinder than DickinsonLondon Have the recent brief letters on the misuse/irritating use of English come from correspondents' own 'lived experience'?Peter UrwinArkengarthdale, North Yorkshire Don't get me started on 'don't get me started'.Ross BradshawNottingham Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
The Guardian
23-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Guardian
Kudos to Royal Mail for a special delivery
Following my letter being published on 13 June, I received a letter on 20 June from a reader, addressed to me as below, with no house number, street or postcode. It was posted second class on 17 June. Royal Mail often gets bad press, but kudos for getting the letter to me so promptly with minimal WardQuorn, Leicestershire More worrying, surely, than the incident by Palestine Action is the appalling lack of security at RAF Brize Norton (Report, 20 June). Michael FullerBedford All your tips on keeping cool in hot weather involve buying things (The Filter, 19 June). If we weren't so keen on buying new stuff, the world wouldn't be heating up quite as it DunnettGuildford, Surrey When my husband shaved off his beard of many years, our nextdoor neighbour remarked: 'Oh, you've grown a moustache' (Adrian Chiles, 18 June).Gwyneth WagstaffGwaun-Cae-Gurwen, Carmarthenshire I see that Kneecap and Wet Leg are appearing at Glastonbury. My wife and I are looking forward to Hip Replacement on the NHS LovelockBristol 'Pre-order' agitates my inner pedant nearly as much as 'going forward' (Letters, 22 June).Cassy FirthMorley, West Yorkshire And while we are at it, 'Forward planning'.Richard BullWoodbridge, Suffolk Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
