To ask whether you are aware of the NATO summit taking place in Wales in September?

[emsiewill]

If you live in South Wales you are probably aware that 82 of the world's leaders, including Obama will be at the NATO summit taking place at the Celtic Manor in Newport on 4 - 5 September.

If you aren't local, you probably aren't aware that this is the largest security operation ever undertaken in the UK. That steel fences have been erected around the Celtic Manor and all around Cardiff, already causing traffic chaos.

And that this is taking place a mile from my house, I am on the route of one of the "peaceful" protests, and, with the current conflicts taking place in Gaza, Iraq and Syria, I am shit scared that the summit will be targeted by militants of one persuasion or another, and I and my family and neighbours will be directly in the firing line.

So, if you are not local to me, have you heard about this summit?

We had normal military helicopters flying in formation over newport. Three of them all together!

Lots of police riding around Newport on motorcycles in formation today. Saw 11 of them in town, about 5 going past my house, and the pic below was posted on Facebook - from Caerleon Rd apparently.

Mounted police in town too

What an amazing sight Emsie

More naval ships have docked in Cardiff today.

I'm just back from ds's swimming lessons 6 miles away. On the way home we passed 4 police vans, 3 police cars, 2 sets of 5 police motorbikes and all along the airport perimeter fence were pairs of police (in their fetching blue caps) every 100yds or so. Who's flying in today I wonder?

The news just in about another killing of an American journalist has upped my anxiety levels RE the summit. Probably being very silly but it's scary knowing that some of the people involved in recent ISIS stuff were from this area.

I'd love to see some pictures if anyone takes any.

Yy dueling. I have chronic anxiety anyway, so doing my best not to think about it at all or leave the house! Dammit, just realised i have doctors on thurs. Might wait til monday for that...

Just driven back past Newport on our way home from a lovely holiday in Wales. There were several police on EVERY bridge on the M4, and about 8 vans with a team each in the services just before the bridge. Think they were raiding the Krispy Kreme or something - they were friendly and said hello to the DCs! Anyway, I have never seen so many police in my life, and I used to live near Belmarsh..

I'm not looking forward to getting to work today, on the m4 right past the celtic manor. Have heard some of the delegates are flying in today. Am tempted to go the other way but that takes me past the hospital and I don't know which route will be worse.

KenAdams various pics on the South Wales Argus website. Loads of ignorant commentors as well of course...

Yes because have driven past signs on m4 for last couple of months while visiting relatives. Was a bit confused at first as so little publicity - I thought NATO must be short for something else.

Anyway, can see why they have chosen Celtic manor. Have always thought it looked like a fortress.

Well I'm in work very early, traffic was normal although it did say on the radio to avoid the m4 tomorrow in rush hour.

i wasn't aware of it until sunday when dh came back after visiting cardiff for work and spotted all the security. have seen it mentioned in the news now.

I am probably going to put DS on the back of my bike tomorrow and cycle in.

By the Toby Cavery

Some interesting photos of behind the scenes at the Celtic Manor here

Security will also be high around Fairford this evening as Obama is due to fly there then helicopter to Newport. His helicopters are already there & at Brize I believe.
I am a police widow as DH is covering extra shifts as so many of his colleagues are down there (Wales). It's so heavily policed they aren't expecting too many probs.

Wow, didn't realise newport was so well known! Roll on Saturday when it's all over and my husband can have a day off. I'm looking forward to the fly past on Friday.

I am in Bristol and we have had US military helicopters flying over for the last two days.

Businesses down my road boarding up in anticipation of the march tomorrow...

Anyone see the tank on the golf course ridiculous comparing of manhood going on.

I'm going to bed for two days I think!

Yes, because husband works for MoD and he went to a NATO briefing the other day. Not surprised there's been little coverage. It's not like Joe Public is invited / will be privy to what's discussed.

But apparently big wigs are quite excited about it - biggest one in years apparently.

I've had bbc news on most of the day, curious to see if they even mentioned it in passing. Nope, nothing yet.

I would say Mr B himself has landed after all the noise from the air traffic about 45 mins ago!
DH made me watch the NATO event from 2012 on YouTube, looks rather scary! Take care out and about tomorrow all.