THE campaign to restore the Newbridge Memorial Hall is still gathering pace - with many fundraising events planned for the rest of the year.

Friends of the Memo have already arranged around a dozen concerts and open days - and a Christmas pantomime is also planned - in a bid to raise the money needed to bring the cinema and dance hall back to their former glory.

There was disappointment last month when the Memo, which had been backed by a high-profile Argus campaign, narrowly missed out on a £3million prize in the BBC2 Restoration programme.

But the supporters are still determined to bring the building back into full use for the next generation.

Howard Stone, who led the Restoration campaign, says they are still extremely positive and that organisations are starting to come forward that can help with funding.

"We are in the process of arranging a meeting with Caerphilly council, and we have been talking with the Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations," he said.

But for now the building is beginning to be well-used again by the community.

Next week, the Memo is hosting a private party for former band leader Aneurin Thomas.

Mr Thomas, who will be 99, played at the Memo with his band several times during the Second World War - and recently came back to visit his old haunt.

On September 24 and 25 the building will be open to visitors as it takes part in the European Heritage Days, and there will be a 50p charge to visit each of the cinema and hall. From September 29 to October 2, the Theatr Silures will perform Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood at the Memo. Tickets are £4 each, or £3 concessions.

On October 8, the Denver Spurs country and western Band will be playing, then on October 14 the Mynyddislwyn Male Choir will perform, and proceeds from that will go to the British Legion poppy appeal.

On October 16, there will be an evening of 'Wenglish' as Dr John Edwards, author of Talk Tidy, gives a talk about colloquial Welsh.

* For more information or to buy tickets for any event contact Mr Stone on 01495 243691or the Memo on 01495 243252.