Members of the Newport Kutaisi Association also belong to many other organisations that may have resonances for people in Georgia or Wales who wish to become involved in the twinning process. We publish details of news, events and visits on our Arielonline pages

Below are details of the interests of some of our members. The page will continue to grow as we get more details from existing and new members. If you wish to discuss the twinning opportunities with members or wish to join in the activities please email us

The Joint Presidents of NKA are

the Mayor of the City of Newport

Mayor's.Office@newport.gov.uk

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Chair of NKA: Sonia Fisher

Formerly Director of Human Resources National Health Service (retired)
Past President Soroptimist International of Newport & District
2004 Member NKA
2005 Visit to Kutaisi
Supports the work of EveryChild Aid Agency in Georgia
Interests: Animal welfare

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Vice Chair of NKA: Catherine Philpott

Former Head of Art & Design in Secondary Education
Lecturer of History of Art in Adult Education
Member of NKA since 1996
1998 Taught in English Studies Department in Kutaisi State University
1998 Honorary Professor of Kutaisi State University.
2000 – 2006 Vice Chair NKA
Visited Kutaisi four times and has travelled widely there

NKA Secretary: Vera Brown

NKA member and Secretary since 1996.
Now retired after a career in Higher Education.
Visited Kutaisi in 2000 with a group of members as part of the Millennium Visit and assisted on various occasions with hospitality for delegations from Kutaisi. Interested in the history and culture of Georgia especially in relation to its geographical position

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NKA Treasurer: Colin Mason

Area Director Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service CYMRU (Retired)
Member of Newport Uskmouth Rotary
Interests include theatre, music and literature
Visited Kutaisi in 2006

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NKA Social Events Organiser: Derek Butler

Designer, Lecturer in Art and Design History.
Formerly Director of Studies of the Faculty of Art, University of Wales, Newport. Honorary Professor of Kutaisi State University.
Actively involved with the NKA since its formation in 1990
Designer of the Association’s logo.
NKA Social Events Organiser.

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Liz Luck

Member of Caerleon Arts Festival committee, Oxfam worker, Sunday school teacher
Liz has a family of 3 daughters and 8 grandchildren.
She loves travelling, painting, reading, photography, her garden and meeting people.
Considers herself very lucky to have had the opportunity to go to Kutaisi two years ago.

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NKA Webmaster, Cllr. David Mayer

BA Humanities, BA,Hons, Graphic Design, MA Art & Design Education.
Lecturer in Art & Design History, University of Glamorgan.
City Councillor since 1990 (go to NCC profile)
Chair and Founder member of Wastesavers Recycling
Musician and Songwriter.(Go to website)
Visited Kutaisi in 2007 to help set up the GLDA. Has represented the City as chair of the leading partnership at various conferences.

david.mayer@ntlworld.com

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Bernard Tyson: Former NKA Chair 2000-2006

Retired Environmental Health Practioner
See: http://www.cieh.org/
Member of several NGOs concerned with social justice and environmental issues.
Member of the Newport Community Choir
Special interest in environmental improvement through the promotion of local democracy.
Member of NKA since 1992. Chair from 2000-06
Visited Kutaisi 2000 and in 2004 as part of a delegation to assess the feasibility of opening in Kutaisi the first Local Democracy Agency in Georgia
See: http://www.ldaaonline.org/

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Gail Giles, Cllr. Newport City Council

Councillor for Caerleon
Researcher for Rosemary Butler AM

gail.giles@newport.gov.uk

Go to website

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Sylvia Mason

BA Theology, MA English specializing in Victorian poetry
Taught English in Secondary Education
Lecturer in Poetry in Adult Education
School Examination Officer
Branch Secretary of the Association of Teachers & Lecturers ATL
Interests: literature, art, music, theatre & travel
2005 Member of NKA

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Pat Wright

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Clare Watkins

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NCC Delegate Cllr Charles Ferris

charles.ferris@newport.gov.uk