BLAENAVON TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD: After many weeks of celebration for our 80th anniversary which included a lunch at Pontypool Golf Club and an afternoon with the Mayor of Torfaen, Councillor Veronica Crick, where we were shown the historical items and told the history of the Town Hall we expected our March meeting to be a quiet one.

However, Mrs Alison Parry came with her craft boxes and we spent many hours of laughter whilst she showed us how to make Easter chickens and chicks and an egg holder using a face cloth! We have already booked Alison to come back to us in November to show us how to make our Christmas decorations.

Future events include a lunch at the Queen Victoria in Blaenavon and a trip to Abergavenny Theatre to see the musical 9 to 5.

This seems to be a celebratory time in Blaenavon. 230 years ago Thomas Hill came to Blaenavon and decided it was the ideal place to build the Ironworks Furnaces and by 1789 the furnaces were functioning and Blaenavon Town started to be built. 110 years ago in 1907 Thomas Poston and friends held the first flower show and in 1937 Townswomen held their first meeting. 1957 was the year that the senior citizens of our town built the Senior’s Hall in Park Street.

Why not join Townswomen of the 3rd Monday each month at 7pm at the Senior’s Hall? Next meeting April 24. (Guild Secretary, Mrs Pat Morgan )

BLAENAVON TOWN COUNCIL: Presentation of Grant Aid Cheques to representatives of eligible local organisations took place at Blaenavon Council Chamber on Wednesday March 15. 

The Chairman of Blaenavon Town Council, Councillor Alan Jones, presented a cheque for £145.00 to each of the following organisations: Blaenavon Bowls, King Street Chapel, Llanover Road Allotment Association, Blaenavon RFC, Blaenavon Leg Club, Royal British Legion Blaenavon, St. Peter’s Church, Castle Street Allotments, Forgeside AFC, Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Society, Forgeside RFC Mini Rugby, Blaenavon Camera Club. 

The presentation of Civic Awards was made on Friday March 17 at Blaenavon Council Chamber. 

The Town Council received nominations from the public for awards and the following people worthy of civic recognition were presented with a framed Scroll of Honour by Mayor of Blaenavon, Councillor Alan Jones. 

The recipients were:
Ben Addis, Service to the Arts.
Matthew Addis, Service to the Arts.
Jack Bartlett,  RBL Blaenavon Volunteer.
Bertreen Cox, RBL Poppy Appeal Volunteer.
Lynn Davies, Blaenavon Town Band.
Terry Evans, Blaenavon Museum Volunteer.
Tana Jones, Service to Junior Football.
Evan Smith, Blaenavon Town Band.
Nathan Timothy, Charitable Work - Foundation for Anti-Bullying.
Volunteers of Blaenavon Heritage Museum.
Volunteers of Royal British Legion Blaenavon Branch.
Congratulations to all the award winners!

EASTER CHURCH SERVICES: 

  •  St Peter’s Anglican Church, Church Road, Blaenavon: “An Hour At The Foot Of The Cross” on Good Friday at 2pm and  Sung Eucharist on Easter Sunday at 9.30am. 
  •  St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Middle Coed Cae, Blaenavon: Good Friday Service at  10am, Maria Desolata on Saturday April 15 at 5pm and  Easter Vigil at 6pm and a Sung Solemn Mass on Easter Sunday at 11am.
  • Bethel Baptist Church, King Street: Good Friday Service at 6pm and Easter Sunday at 11am.
  • Horeb Baptist Church, Church Road: Good Friday Service at 6pm and Easter Sunday at 11am.
  • Zion Baptist Church Forge Side: Easter Sunday Service at 6pm.

Blaenavon
Barbara Lewis 
barbara.lewis@live.co.uk