THE ROYAL Marines will provide the transport to link Newnham with Arlingham for the unique Passage 2000 weekend to be held on June 10 and 11.

The ferry across the Severn ended many years ago but is to be revived as part of a series of events between the two parishes.

The marines will provide the all important river crossing by running two hovercraft from bank to bank taking parties in both directions.

The Passage 2000 weekend will also see the launch of a booklet describing the Newnham Millennial Heritage Walk – the off-spring of funds raised at the Newnham Jazz Festival last year.

The parish council set up a committee to plan the walk which will describe aspects of Newnham's history. Plaques have been ordered to mark the route.

Donald Norfolk, the man behind the jazz festival, told the Review the enthusiasm generated by the millennial walk project had given birth to another enterprise – a plan for a sculpture which it is hoped will become a feature of the open space opposite Unlawater House.

"This is a very exciting project which marks a link between Newnham past, present and future," he said.

A steering committee is to interview four local sculptors and the winner will hold a series of workshops with pupils from Newnham's junior school who, it is hoped, will produce some ideas which can be incorporated in the scupture.

"They obviously represent the future, and it time they will be able to view the monument with pride as a memory of the millennium and also as a work of art which they helped to create.

"The general theme of the sculture will be Newnham Past and Future, looking back on our history with pride, and looking forward with hope to our future development and growth," said Mr Norfolk.

Fund-raising is to start soon and an application is to be made for a grant from the National Lottery.