You can't 'beat' a night like this

Outstanding Latin American Dancers, Amy Dowden and Gino Gabrielli, will dance an exhibition during an evening, which will be a must for anyone who enjoys dancing and listening to the big band sound.

All the proceeds of the evening will go to the Memo Restoration Fund. More information can be obtained from President Brian Evans, on 01495 244320.

Tickets can be obtained from any Rotarian and the Memorial Hall, between 9.45am and 2.15pm, Monday to Friday.

The Memo's telephone number is 01495 243252.

Inner Wheel club of Risca (District 15): The Inner Wheel Club of Risca recently held their 40th anniversary luncheon at Angela's Restaurant, Risca.

Formed in 1967, the club was chartered with nineteen members, three of whom still belong and we were delighted to have two of them with us at the luncheon.

In its heyday the club had over thirty members, but has gradually diminished in size until we are left with twelve stalwarts now.

The luncheon was attended by over seventy, including the district chairman of Inner Wheel who congratulated the club on all its achievements during the past forty years and presented the club with a certificate.

Members and guests, together with friends from adjoining clubs, were delighted to welcome the guest speaker Miss Roxanne Law, a kidney transplant surgeon who used to work in Wales but is now based in London. The club presented her with a cheque for the Welsh Kidney Foundation.

The club continues to have various events in order to raise money for a variety of charities. Amongst these we continue to support St David's Foundation, LATCH, the Royal British Legion Sight Savers International, and, of course, the district chairman's charity whatever that happens to be. This year the district chairman has nominated Kidney Research.

Chinese auction: Information has come to hand that the above is to be held at Newbridge Rugby Club, on Friday, April 13, at 7pm, at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Newbridge. Admission will be £1 inclusive of glass of wine, with proceeds in aid of church funds.

Your support of this event will be greatly appreciated. For more information, call Rita Westwood, on 01495 243155.

Pound for pound fundraising: Grateful thanks are extended to Mrs Christine Davies, who organised a Chinese Auction at Oxford House Independent Living Skills Department.

The event was held on March 30 and raised £152.47. It was well attended by staff, students, parents and carers, all of whom had a fun and exciting time.

The department would like to thank Barclays Bank for their continued support to the students with learning difficulties who attend Oxford House.

Risca school supports comic relief: ON Thursday, March 29, the pupils of Risca County Primary School, attended school in fancy dress, in order to support Comic Relief.

In addition, staff at the school, played their part by dressing up also, much to the delight of the children. The amount of money raised was £370 by pupils and staff bringing in a variety of loose change.

The photograph, above, shows some of the Year 6 children in fancy dress.

Bands in the Park: Caerphilly county borough council park services department announce information for the 2007 Brass Bands in the Park at the venues mentioned below: Waunfawr Park - Cross Keys May 27 - Newport Borough Brass June 3 - Cross Keys Silver Band June 10 - RAF St Athan Voluntary Band June 17 - Rogerstone Band Morgan Jones Park - Caerphilly June 3 - Salvation Army Risca Band June 10 - Oakdale Silver Band June 17 - Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen Band Bargoed Park May 27 - Tredegar Town Band June 3 - Blaenafon Concert Band June 10 - Blaenavon Town Band June 17 - Oakdale Silver Band All performances at the parks above are from 2.30pm till 5pm. It would be appreciated if the public would support the bands. Hopefully, good weather will prevail.

Cancer Research: Newbridge and District Cancer Research Committee wish to thank everyone for their support at the recent coffee morning at the Memo in Newbridge.

As a result, the total money raised was £640 with the stall and raffle proving very successful.

In advance, two dates for your diary are given here with a sequence dance at the top club in Abercarn on Friday April 27, and a musical afternoon with light refreshments at the Memo, Newbridge on May 10.

Looking forward to seeing many of you all again at these events.

For further information contact Mrs Evans, on 01495 244320.

Cross Keys Silver Band: On Saturday, March 31, the Cross Keys Silver Band played at a dinner evening at Raglan Barracks, Newport, for the band of the Royal Welsh Regiment.

The band, conducted by musical director Kerry Bowden, played a varied programme of music, which was much appreciated by the members of the RWR Band and their guests.

On the evening of Monday, April 9, the band is holding an Easter Bonnet Parade and barbecue as the starter to a series of events being held to raise the £5,000, approximately, needed to pay for the band to compete at the National Championships of Great Britain, which are being held in Harrogate, in September, 2007. Please watch this column for further details.

On Sunday, April 22, the band will be performing an hour-long concert between 3-4pm in front of the Tesco stage, at the Wales Millennium Centre, so, why not join them and enjoy an hour of first-class entertainment, and the beauty of Cardiff Bay.

Risca Carnival and Fete 2007: Arrangements for this year's carnival and fete are under way. The carnival will leave Tan-y-Bryn at 1pm and proceed to the Tredegar Park, Risca, on Bank Holiday Sunday, August 26.

We are introducing a local business directory to raise funds. So, if you are a local business manager or owner and have not received any information, please call Risca Post Office for same.

Application for stalls, for local charities and non-profit organisations at the fete, Carnival Queen and Court Ladies, floats, all are available at the above office.

Would anyone with anything that would be suitable for a display in the main arena at the fete please get in contact with Clive Malam, on 01633 612277.

Risca Library Easter Activities: On Thursday, April 12, there will be Easter Activities for children bet-ween 2.30pm and 3.30pm.

Traditional Irish Music: On Tuesday, April 17, between 11am and noon, there will be a free concert with Alan Burke and everyone is welcome.

For further information please phone 01633 600920.

For all for life - Caerphilly county borough council.

Cross Keys Community Group: The community hall at St Catherine's Church re-opened last Tuesday, and we were pleased to have PC Wayne Roberts, Crime Prevention Officer for the area at our coffee morning.

PC Roberts responded immediately to residents concerns regarding the recent failed abduction of a young lady at Gladstone Street, and of perceived intimidation from youths in cars late at night.

Sound advice was made available, and personal alarms were on sale. Everyone found his presence and advice reassuring - Many thanks.

The lady supporters of the group continue knitting a large quilt for the Ty Hafan Children's Hospice in Wales.

We are very grateful for the many kind donations of red wool received from all areas, in particular from a lady in Abergavenny.

Tea and coffee mornings continue on Tuesdays, 10.30am to noon, and bingo sessions every Tuesday afternoon. Doors open at 2pm for a 2.30pm start.

Snowball prize stands at over £30, so do come along and try your luck. Everyone is welcome to attend at both events.

Comments have been received from residents regarding a recent tree-felling in the church grounds and how bare it now appears.

Hopefully, these will be replaced with smaller versions.

Donations of trees, shrubs, plants and compost will be very much appreciated. Please contact Lynne, on 01495 271947.

The community hall is now available for bookings, parties, meetings, etc. This facility is now enhanced with new flooring, so please contact Allan, on 01495 270888, or Lynne, on 01495 271947.

Contributors to this column are reminded that reports, etc, must be in the correspondent's hands by 10am Monday prior to a following week's issue of the column - Thank you.