Watch: New Newport group launches in the afternoon

Ladies from across Newport met at the town's Cosy Hall for the launch of the Newport Afternoon Townswomen's Guild – which was set up as part of an effort to bring a guild back to the town.

Among the highlights was a speech from David Arnold who presented "in the footsteps of a choir boy".

Pam Holland, Shropshire & Mid Wales Federation of Townswomen's Guilds chairman, said: "It was lovely to be back in Newport.

"We are still hoping that several of the members of the old guild will come and pay us a visit at some stage.

"It was a really good feeling, the ladies that were there were very enthusiastic and the speaker was superb and we want as many ladies to pay us as we possible can.

"I am sure they will enjoy it too. We are always thrilled when we can open up a new group and when we get new members.

"The thing is with townswomen's guilds is we get such a lovely feeling of friendship and fun and we want to share that, so the more the merrier."

She said forming a new townswomen's guild gave members the opportunity to form new groups within the guild.

He said: "The first meeting is always quite a business-like meeting, we have to collect people's money and get people's contact details but we had a good bit of time for a natter and a cup of tea and a biscuit.

"What will follow we do not know.

"At our other guilds we have drama groups, arts and crafts groups, Sunday lunch groups, all sorts of things, so with a new guild it is great because it gives us the chance do whatever we want and start whatever new groups we want."

Newport's previous branch closed at the beginning of last year,because members could not get a committee together.

but after several meetings in recent months,but a committee and officers have been set up for the new guild.