Risca news

The bridesmaids were Lacey Jones and the pageboy was Lewis Jones.

The best man was Craig Jones, the groom's brother.

The reception was held at Bethesda Baptist Church, the newlywed couple then spent their honeymoon in Lanzarote.

Photograph by Ray Smith of Cwmbran.

Newbridge (Celynen) Brass Band: The band is delighted to announce it has hit the jackpot by securing a major Lottery funding award to the tune of £50,000.

The grant awarded by the Arts Council of Wales, will go towards the purchase of new instruments for the band.

Also, for the first time in the band's history it will compete in the championship section of the forthcoming South East Wales Brass Band Association Competition at Ebbw Vale on May 12.

For more information on the band, please visit www.newbridgeband.co.uk.

Newbridge (Celynen) Junior Brass Band: The junior band are delighted to announce it has been boosted by a funding award.

The grant, awarded by the Coal Regeneration Trust for the sum of £8,784, will go towards the purchase of new instruments.

The band is currently going through a revitalisation period and it is hoped this money will help the band to attract new starters, players and existing youth of the Newbridge and surrounding areas.

The project was funded by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, which was set up in September 1999 to help tackle the social and economic problems faced by coalfield communities in England, Scotland and Wales.

Between September 1999 and March 2005, the trust funded approximately 1,300 projects, and is planning to spend at least another £50 million on good causes by March 2008.

For more information visit www.newbridgeband.co.uk Blood Pressure Check ups: To highlight one of the major causes of strokes and heart attacks, Abercarn and Newbridge Rotary Club in conjunction with the Pontllanfraith Club conducted free blood pressure checks on shoppers at Pioneer Store, in Pontllanfraith.

Between 10.30am and 4pm on Saturday, a total of 206 people were tested and where appropriate shoppers were advised that it would be a good idea for them to visit their local health centre where professionals in more appropriate conditions would conduct tests.

The club wishes to record its thanks to the management and staff of the store for their co-operation in the exercise.

Musical afternoon: Abercarn and Newbridge Cancer Research Committee is holding the above at the Memo, Newbridge on Thursday, May 10, from 2pm.

The Pentwynmawr Ladies Choir will be entertaining everyone who wishes to attend and the admission to the event will be £2 (with refreshments).

For more information please contact Rita Evans on 01495 244320.

Proceeds will be in aid of Cancer Research.

Men's Breakfast: The next meeting of the above will be held at Moriah Baptist Church, Risca, on Saturday May 12, at 8.30pm.

The guest speaker is Dr David Enoch, FRC pschyc DPM.

Please contact Anne Hayward at 14 Gelli Crescent, Risca, or on 01633 613865 for further information.

Coffee Morning: A regular coffee morning will be held every Wednesday starting from May 2 at Trinity Church, Pontywaun, from 10.30am till noon.

Everyone is welcome.

Caerphilly in Bloom 2007: Once again, Spring has arrived and green-fingered residents across the county borough are being encouraged to show off their gardening skills by taking part in this year's competition.

The popular annual event is organised by the council to recognise the colourful efforts that are made each year by local people to create wonderful floral displays that help brighten up the whole area.

The competition is open to individuals, commercial premises, schools, and even whole streets within the county borough - basically, it is open to anyone living within the county borough.

The Caerphilly in Bloom committee is always seeking new sponsors, so if you are interested in sponsoring a class or a section, then please contact Steve Trew on 01443 863118.

All entries for the competition must be received by July 1.

Telephone 01443 863125 for an entry form.

The competition is split into seven classes: l Class 1: Domestic dwellings l Class 2: Best Street/cul-de-sac l Class 3: High Street premises l Class 4: Pubs, clubs, hotels and guest houses l Class 5: Schools l Class 6: Allotments l Class 7: Wildlife garden Discover the Beacons: Once again this year, the Beacons bus will operate on Sundays and Bank Holidays running from May 27 until September 23.

All day tickets are, adults £6.50, child under-17 £4, family ticket (two adults and three children or one adult up to four children) £13, bicycles £2.50. (B1/B4/B7) NPVC shuttle (B5/B6) return £2, Welsh bus pass holders - free of charge.

All day tickets can be purchased on any Beacons bus service and can be used on any other part of the network.

The service from Rogerstone - Newbridge - Ebbw Vale - Brecon leaves Gaer opposite the shops at 9am and travels up the valley to Brecon, arriving at 11am.

On a return journey, the coach leaves Brecon at 5.40pm, arriving back at the Gaer at 7.45pm.

Leaflets are available at Risca Library and Risca Post Office.

Alternatively, more information is available at 01873 853254.

Islwyn walkers stride out: Islwyn Ramblers' next walk will be held on: Saturday, May 19, and will head for Cwmtillery and Blaenavon.

The group will leave Blackvein at 9am on a moderate eight-mile route. Contact Liz Holland on 01495 200673 for more details.

On Sunday, May 26, the group will head for Llanover.

Participants should meet at Blackvein at 9.30am or car park in Llanover. The walk is an easy eight miles.

Contact Mandy 01495 272548 for more information.

Cross Keys Community Group: The weekly Tuesday tea and coffee mornings continue from 10am to 12pm.

Also, the afternoon bingo sessions are held on the same day. Doors open 2pm for 2.30pm start.

The snowball now stands at £38, so come along, try your luck. Everyone will be made very welcome.

The group is hosting a small fashion show on Wednesday, May 16, at 10am at the Community Hall in Gladstone Street.

Sale items range from £5-£10. Again all are welcome to attend.

Cross Keys allotments: Plot rentals are now being collected for 2007 and payments can be made at the new allotment shed on Saturday or Sunday mornings between 11am and 12pm.

Alternatively, contact Mike Fletcher on 01633 895385 or Lynne Rees on 01495 271947 (plot secretaries).

For daily sales please contact Glyn Richard on 07907 696901.

The association is proud to be mentioned on page 35 of issue two for 2007 of the Allotment and Leisure Gardener magazine regarding the official opening of the new shed earlier this year.

Ruddock at Annual Presentation Evening: Risca RFC are holding their Annual Presentation Evening at the clubhouse on Friday May 18.

Meet at 7pm for 7.30pm start, when the guest speaker will be Mike Ruddock, Grand Slam winning Wales coach and newly appointed coach of the Guinness Premiership's Worcester Warriors.

The price of tickets for the dinner/evening is £15 per person, obtainable from the club.

The club has had a better season than in recent years and was at one stage in the top three in their division, eventually finishing in mid-table with ten wins, two draws and ten defeats.

It can only be hoped that the nucleus of the team will be available when the new season commences in September.

Puccini and Pals: The Cross Keys College Choral Society's event which will take place on Saturday, May 19, at Risca leisure centre, is expected to once again be a successful occasion.

The society will be led by musical director Martin Hodson who will also lead the Welsh simfonia. The concert starts at 7pm.

It is understood that a number of tickets are still available and anyone wishing to book a seat should contact Nicola Price, 9 Brook Street, Chapel of Ease, Abercarn, NP11 5JJ or phone Cross Keys Campus 01495 333438/333456.

Last Saturday a 12-hour singalong was held at Dan-y-graig Church, Risca, to raise much needed funds for the event.

No details of the figure raised are yet to hand. The concert features John Hudson (tenor) and Jason Howard (baritone).