TEA DANCE: Brynithel Communi-ty Centre is hosting a tea dance in aid of the Hospice of the Valleys, on Wednesday, April 25, between 3pm-6pm.

The music will be provided by Mr Brian Parker. Tea, coffee and refreshments will be available.

Tickets cost £3 and are available from either Mrs Tanner, on (01495) 214489, or Mrs Roberts, on (01495) 214723.

COMPUTER SURGERIES: Llanhilleth Miners Institute Ltd are currently running PC surgeries on a weekly basis in Swffryd Community Centre every Monday from 1pm-3pm; Aberbeeg Community Flat every Tuesday from 10am-noon and at Brynithel Community Centre every Wednesday from 10am-noon.

The PC surgeries are free to attend and are in place to provide members of the public computer support, and will try to tackle all computing problems and offer help with any computing queries.

Members of the community are also welcome to bring equipment in to the centres for some hands-on troubleshooting.

The PC surgeries will be run by Sean Granville and Ashley Morgan who can be contacted by telephone or e-mail; they are available to help outside of surgery hours, Monday to Friday, 9.00-16.30 or (sean.granville@ llanhillethinstitute.com or (01495) 305998; (ashley.morgan@ llanhillethinstitute.com or (01495) 305996.

This project is being funded by: Communities at One, Wales Co-operative Centre and Objective 1 and Objective 2 Funding.

IT classes are available to all parts of Llanhilleth, Aberbeeg, Brynithel, Swfrydd and the surrounding communities.

The subjects of the courses are purely community driven, so we can cater for all. So, whether you are technophobe and wish to confront your fear with an IT for the Terrified' class, or you have some IT skills and looking to improve, enhance and build those skills, we can accommodate you. Classes started at the end of March.

We are also looking for members of the community to help compile digital stories.

We need members of the community to come forward with their stories to be brought to life through the medium of digital storytelling.This will involve members of the public telling us of fond memories of Llanhilleth and the surrounding area.

If you have an IT topic you wish to cover, please contact the Llanhilleth Institute on 01495 355996/355998, or info@llanhillethinstitute.com and we will try to accommodate you as best we can.

REUNION: If you attended Gelli Crug School, and left in either 1961/62 or 1963, and would like to catch up with all that's happened to former classmates, then the Gelli Crug Reunion is just the place.

It takes place on Friday, April 27 at The Doll's House. Admission is £3 and it starts at 7.30pm. Entertainment will be provided by Mike Love.

VERY GENTLE EXERCISE GROUP: If you've been inactive for a long time and would like to lose some weight and improve your health, then this class could be just what you need.

It takes place every Tuesday at Ebenezer Chapel, starting at 1.30pm. Sessions cost £1.25 per week.

So no more making excuses that you just don't have the time - the sessions last half an hour and everyone is welcome.All you have to do is turn up!

HEALTHY LIVING PROJECT FOR CARERS: This project, funded by the Big Lottery and facilitated by Age Concern, covers the Ebbw Fach valley from Swffryd to Brynmawr and offers a range of free events for carers for which respite can be arranged.

It just takes a phone call to register, so if you're interested in any of the following events, please contact Annette or Jill, on (01495) 321780: * Wednesday, April 18 - A walk through Cwn Darrend Parc in Deri - 1pm-4pm.Places are limited, so please ring ASAP.

* Thursday, April 26 - A cookery demonstration in Ebenezer Chapel, run by Alex Slingsby of Blaenau Gwent Public Health Team.1pm-3pm * Monday, June 11 - Launch of the Carers Strategy at The Met - If you are interested in attending, please ring the above number, as places are limited * Wednesday, June 13 - Drama class run by Hijinx Theatre Company, at Ebenezer Chapel,1pm-4pm.

KEEPING CARERS HEALTHY: This is a new project running throughout Blaenau Gwent, funded by BG Social Services and again facilitated by Age Concern.

It is aimed specifically at people who provide care for a relative or friend with a mental health problem.

The project will provide carers of mental health with advice, information and activity sessions designed to promote their health and well-being.

There will be informal and relaxed sessions at various venues to which all carers in Blaenau Gwent will be welcome, including: * Complementary Therapies * Information sessions covering finances * Practical and emotional support * Arts and Crafts * Exercise * Health and Well-being opportunities For more information, please contact Jill or Annette, on (01495) 321780.

MY LIFE AS A CARER: Age Concern, in partnership with Catapult, are creating a DVD-based on your stories as carers.

The DVD will be ready for the Strategy Launch Day in June, so if you're interested, please contact Annette, on (01495) 321780 as soon as possible to have your story heard.

FREE COMPUTER LESSONS: These lessons are provided by Age Concern, with funding from Communities First.

They'll take place soon in the Digi Lab in Ebenezer and are FREE for all carers and the cared for.

The lessons are short ( two hours) and informal (no exams to take) and can be tailored to meet your needs.

So if you're interested in learning for pleasure, in a relaxed atmosphere in small classes of 6-8 people and would like to know more about: Internet research, digital cameras, posters, sending e-mails or writing letters, ring Annette (01495) 321780.

PAMPER DAY: Pamper days are held regularly throughout Blaenau Gwent as part of the Carers Project.

They are FREE for carers but, if there are places available, non-carers can take part at a cost of £1.

The next Pamper Day takes place in Tredegar on May 10.

For information on this and to find out when the next Pamper Day in the Abertillery area takes place, please ring Annette, on (01495) 321780.

COMMUNITY CANVAS: I popped over to Bryn Bach Park over the Easter break, and, as well as strolling around the lake, took the opportunity to see the Community Canvas which was funded and run in partnership by BTCV Green Gym and Blaenau Gwent Arts Development.

There are five panels, each created by a different group, which form a striking and colourful display - it was well worth the visit. Look out for it as it tours the borough.

REGENERATION: The Regeneration works in Abertillery are going on apace.

At the top end of Church Street, Hector's Cosy Cafe and M8's are already completed and re-opened for business.

This project means work for local businesses as well, such as local builder D Legge who has done an excellent job for Hector.