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South Wales Argus
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Newport unveils new ‘busk stops' in the city centre
Shoppers and regular visitors to the city often find themselves entertained by the wide variety of music that's performed in the city centre daily, but now these performers are being encouraged to show their craft and talents with special areas known as 'busk stops'. Seven of these 'busk stops' have been installed around the city centre, with locations in Queensway (outside the railway station); High Street (near popular music venues the Corn Exchange and Le Pub); Market bus station, Upper Dock Street; near the junction of High Street and Bridge St; Austin Friars; Commercial St (near the Charles St junction) and Llanarth Street. David and Jax are quickly finding a love for busking (Image: NQ) Having only been installed for a short while, the sites are working and already beginning to attract those who are new to the craft and reigniting the flame for others. Buskers Jax Jones and David Chapman are new to the craft. Jax said: 'I've never busked before, and David hasn't busked since 2015.' 'Newport has a really interesting music scene, and this sort of thing will encourage people to go out and busk more. There's a lot of pubs closing down so this gives us more opportunities and a reason to come out.' The sites not only allow buskers to show their talents, but it also widens the music tastes of those walking by. A quick performance of a track by American rock band Alice In Chains by David and Jax may not be the first choice for many shoppers today but the duo is helping broaden the horizons of the general public. The act of busking itself is a centuries-old tradition that is performed around the world and Newport is no exception, with the music that flows through the streets being appreciated by many. The main aim of these spaces is to enrich the already diverse and thriving music scene in Newport by encouraging even more performance. These buskers are more than welcome to now set up shop during the day at one of these designated spots and perform, instead of waiting until the evening when the venues in the area are open for business. These 'busk stops' are the next step in deepening Newport's love for music and showcasing its incredibly rich local talent.

South Wales Argus
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Big Splash arts festival takes over Newport for 2025
As Wales' largest free outdoor arts festival, Big Splash sees thousands of people visit the city to take part in workshops and craft activities and watch live music, street theatre and dance performances. Described as 'a slice of Covent Garden in Newport', it turns the streets of Newport into a giant stage for all to enjoy. Tiny Circus gets ready for a big show (Image: NQ) The main hub that is situated in the Riverfront Theatre provides a range of different events and stalls that allow visitors to get creative and join in with the fun. From an arts & crafts room to circus trick classes to skateboarding with No Comply, there is something for everyone under one roof. Elsewhere across the rest of the city centre, visitors can watch performances in the lively street theatre in Usk Plaza, catch live performances and play games on Big Splash Boulevard, and take in the vibrant showcase of local art and culture in the Creative Quarter. Audiences watch performances from the top of John Frost Square (Image: NQ) The two-day event itself is completely free of charge, making it the perfect family friendly experience for all ages. Evan Elias, 22, is a member of staff at the Riverfront and is spending the day manning the 'imagination station' arts & crafts area. He said: 'I love making creativity accessible and seeing the impact free art can have on local people.' Staff members like Evan Elias get stuck right in (Image: NQ) A lot of the attendees and staff milling around Newport today share similar sentiments. The festival brings the city together, helping to make art accessible to those who wouldn't experience it otherwise – visitors are allowed to pick their poison in this sense and decide whether they'd like the adrenaline rush of watching a circus performer juggle blades, or through the more peaceful act of story times in Waterstones. Big Splash runs Saturday June 19 to Sunday June 20 and closes with a DJ set from Newport legend Benji Webbe on the Celebrate Stage on Big Splash Boulevard at 4:20PM Sunday.

South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
REVIEW: Tin Can Kitchen launches summer 'Al Pastor' menu
The 'Al Pastor' menu at Tin Can Kitchen in Newport features a variety of dishes packed with "bold" flavour. The range includes an Al Pastor Burger, Al Pastor Dirty Fries, Al Pastor Burrito, and an Al Pastor Pizza. All the dishes are inspired by Latin street food and feature smoky, slow-cooked pork in a rich adobo sauce, pineapple, and lime. The Al Pastor burger (Image: Tin Can Kitchen) The burger, made with a Welsh beef patty, is topped with the Al Pastor pork, pineapple and lime salsa, and Honduran crema. A pot of homemade queso is served on the side for dipping. The Al Pastor Burrito is a "proper handheld feast", packed with spicy adobo pork, Mexican rice, pineapple salsa, and other fixings. The Al Pastor burrito (Image: NQ) The Al Pastor Dirty Fries are piled high with melted cheese, the smoky Al Pastor pork, pineapple salsa, and more of the Honduran crema. The Al Pastor dirty fries (Image: NQ) The standout item on the menu, however, is the Al Pastor Pizza. A "summer flavour bomb", it features the slow-cooked pork, homemade marinara, melted mozzarella, and a zesty pineapple lime salsa on the signature house-made dough. The Al Pastor pizza (Image: NQ) The pizza is also served with queso and Honduran crema for dipping. The team at the Argus had the chance to try the new summer menu and were left impressed. First up on the menu was the Al Pastor burger, a beef patty topped with Al Pastor pork, pineapple, lime salsa and Honduran crema. While some people may seem sceptical about pineapple on a burger, for us it just brought the delicious juiciness of the pork and pineapple to the fore of the dish, and gave us something uniquely tasty. The Al Pastor menu (Image: NQ) The same could be said for the Al Pastor burrito, which we even had cut in two because it was so loaded full of Mexican rice and the spicy adobo pork which gave it a real kick as an aftertaste - you certainly won't forget what you just ate with this monster. The dirty fries with piled high with melted cheese, smoky Al Pastor pork, pineapple salsa, and that dreamy Honduran crema are always a popular highlight with us here at the Argus, and these were a right delight. There was a perfect mix of slightly sweet pork and the pineapple salsa, juxtaposed brilliantly with the Honduran crema. Which part of the Al Pastor menu will be your favourite? (Image: NQ) However, by far our favourite element of the new menu is the Al Pastor pizza, topped with slow cooked pork in a rich adobo sauce with a zesty pineapple lime salsa and small chunks of pineapple. While there is an ongoing debate about whether pineapple belongs on pizza, in this case, it absolutely does, providing that extra sweetness to one of the most delicious pizzas we have ever tasted." The menu is available for a limited time only.

Leader Live
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Wrexham and Flintshire locals aiming for 'Best Pub 2025'
There are some fantastic award-winning pubs across Wrexham and Flintshire. We know many customers love a beer garden in the sunshine, their favourite pint on draft and even some classic grub to share with friends and family. So, we've narrowed them down to the top 10. (Image: NQ) Susan Perry, regional editor for the Leader, said: 'It's time for readers to raise a glass in our search for the best pub. 'Our pubs are at the heart of our local communities and we want you to tell us who serves the best pint, who offers their punters the best welcome and hospitality? 'Make sure your local does not miss out and get your nomination in asap so your local can say cheers and call themselves The Leader's best pub.' You can vote from Monday, July 21 until Friday, August 1. Voting slips will be available in our paper. The Leader Best Pub top ten finalists are: Crown Inn – Village Road, Lixwm, Holywell George & Dragon – Church Street, Flint Queens Head Inn – Chester Road, Mold TableTaps – 28 Lord Street, Wrexham The Cross Foxes – High Street, Pentre Broughton The Golden Lion – Chester Road, Rossett The Long Pull - Chester Street, Wrexham The Ship Hotel - Market Square, Flint The Welch Fusilier - Chester Street Wrexham Y Pentan - Mold Best of luck to each of the finalists!

The National
3 days ago
- Health
- The National
NHS Fife 'followed guidance in letting trans doctor use women's space'
Gillian Malone told an employment tribunal she perceived that allegations about nurse Sandie Peggie confronting transgender medic Dr Beth Upton were 'unacceptable'. Peggie was suspended after she complained about having to share a changing room with Dr Upton at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, [[Fife]] – where they both worked – on Christmas Eve 2023. She was placed on special leave and then suspended after Dr Upton made an allegation of bullying and harassment and cited concerns about 'patient care'. Peggie has lodged a claim against Fife health board and Dr Upton, citing the Equality Act 2010, including sexual harassment; harassment related to a protected belief; indirect discrimination and victimisation. Dr Beth Upton (centre) (Image: NQ) At the tribunal on Thursday, Malone said it was her responsibility to 'speak up' on issues around female nurses sharing a changing room with a transgender doctor, and said the 'department took guidance' when refusing to meet a request made by Peggie's solicitor. Service manager Lottie Myles sent an email to Malone on March 7, 2024 following a meeting with Peggie where she asked why Dr Upton could not be moved or asked to change elsewhere. Despite Peggie asking through her solicitor that when she returned to work she 'could be assured of a single-sex space to change in', the board did not act, the tribunal heard. Malone said: 'The department took guidance from the equality and human rights lead, and that wouldn't be what we would do. 'We took guidance that Beth could continue using the female changing facility.' Cross-examining, barrister Naomi Cunningham said: 'The result of refusing to give her that guarantee of no men in female changing room would be that Sandie couldn't return to work safe in the knowledge that when she got dressed in the women's changing room, there would be no men there.' READ MORE: NHS Fife issue statement after clearing Sandie Peggie of misconduct Malone said: 'We took advice and the guidance at the time was that Beth could use the female changing facility.' The tribunal heard that on March 8, Malone sent an email to HR worker Melanie Jorgensen and others that a 'further risk assessment is supported for returning SP to the workplace'. Cunningham said: 'It had already been established at end of December that there was no shift overlap between the claimant and Dr Upton in January so there was no need to keep them apart. That had already been established by January 3 when the suspension was put in place.' Malone said: 'I can't recall.' Cunningham said: 'What seems to have happened is that the risk assessment has been done after a decision to continue suspension.' She said confidentiality had been 'hopelessly lost' on December 29, 2023 when Dr Kate Searle sent an email to all consultants in the emergency department with Dr Upton's version of events, and again on January 12, 2024 when Dr Searle emailed about the incident – including Peggie, Dr Upton and potential witnesses. Malone said: 'I don't think she [Dr Searle] should have done that.' However on July 3, after press reports, Peggie was given a reminder about confidentiality – which Cunningham said was to 'silence her', and referred to emails exchanged on March 7 between Malone and Myles, which referred to 'misgendering' and the 'risk' of Peggie 'using he/him which may cause unrest in the wider NHS team', the tribunal heard. Cunningham said: 'That tends to underline that the damage limitation is about preventing unrest in the workplace due to Sandie Peggie's use of correct sex pronouns for Dr Upton.' She said 'prohibiting the subject matter' was primarily about 'preventing her ability to organise with others who shared her concerns', and to 'prevent her expressing gender-critical belief'. READ MORE: Armed police threaten woman with terror charge for holding Palestinian flag Malone said: 'I don't agree.' During re-examination by counsel for NHS Fife Jane Russell KC, Malone was asked if she believed commenting on chromosomes was 'gender-critical belief'. She said: 'No I do not. I think it's an unwanted comment.' Russell asked if based on her knowledge of the allegations on Christmas Eve, she believed Dr Upton had sexually harassed Peggie. The witness said: 'No I don't believe Dr Upton sexually harassed Ms Peggie. I believe it was unacceptable behaviours, unprofessional behaviours which warranted investigation.' The tribunal continues.