GET CRAFTY WITH COMMUNITIES FIRST: Got a hobby you could turn into cash? Would you like to show off your skills and make money?Then come along to the Craft Fair, June 23, at Ebenezer Baptist Church 10am- 3.00pm.

We are giving local craftmakers the opportunity to run a stall for free, and all you need to do is turn up with your products.

There are a limited number of places left, so if you want to attend please contact Rachel Elston, on 01495 354726, or pop into the Communities First Information Shop in the Arcade, Abertillery.

ABERFEST: Take a trip to Abertillery during Aberfest Week and you are bound to find something to do amongst the wealth of activities on offer - Check out http://www.aberfest. info for details.

The festival is being organised by the Abertillery Community Partnership and Communities First (Abertillery and Cwmtillery), in conjunction with Blaenau Gwent CBC and in co-operation with the community groups who are staging the events.

VOLUNTEERS URGENTLY NEEDED: If you have a few hours to spare, the ladies who run the Friday Luncheon Club at Ebenezer desperately need some help or the club may close.

Please contact either Andy (01495) 213284, or Elaine (01495) 215475.

BLAENAU GWENT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU: CAB has returned to Abertillery. You can seek advice every Thursday between 12pm-4pm, at the Communities First Shop, The Arcade.

No appointment is necessary. So for further information, please telephone 07989 908572.

CHEESE AND WINE TASTER NIGHT: Abertillery Lions are hosting a Cheese and Wine night at the Corner Club on June 20.

Entry is £5 and the evening starts at 7.30pm.

All proceeds are in aid of the Hospice of the Valleys.

ROOM AVAILABLE: Abertillery Sports Club, Carmel Street, now has a room available for use by any organisation.

For more information, please ring (01495) 212421.

BLAENAU GWENT COMMUNITY FOOD NEWS: Cherries are our Fruit of the Month'. There are over 1,000 varieties of them, and sweet British cherries will be coming into season in June and to make the most of them, just eat them as they are.

Many are red, but look out for the more unusual pale varieties too. The sour varieties, such as Morello cherries, are better in cooked dishes.

Recipe of the Month: Baked Sweet Cherry Pudding - Ingredients: 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons self raising flour, 2 eggs, 2/3 cup half fat milk. Few drops vanilla essence. 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest. 1 cup sweet cherries, washed and stoned. Low fat vanilla yoghurt to finish.

Method: 1 In a large bowl, mix together the sugar, flour, eggs, milk, vanilla and orange zest, if using; 2 If possible, allow the batter to sit in the fridge for a few hours; 3 Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas Mark 6; 4 Arrange the cherries in a single layer in the base of a lightly greased medium oven proof dish; 5 Stir the batter again and pour it over the cherries; 6 Pop the dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the batter is risen and cooked through, 7 Serve the pudding warm with a spoonful of chilled vanilla yoghurt.

This is a traditional French pudding and if you must cook cherries, this makes the most of them.

The warmth really brings out the cherries flavour, but they are not stewed into a pulp. The dish serves four.

A STAR IN THE MAKING: On May 4,young Harriet Whitehead, who is appearing in Life On The Wicked Stage, won, for the second year running, the Mayzmusik Y factor, which was held at the Riverside Theatre, Newport. Congratulations, Harriet!

Tickets for the show are going well, and can be obtained from Mike Spencer, telephone 01495 212741, or Mobile 07968 090482.Ticket prices are £8 for adults and £5 for children.

There will be another opportunity to enjoy local talent when A Man & His Music appears at The Met on Friday, July 6.

Musical Theatre legend, Peter Karrie, will be recreating many of his greatest roles, live on stage. He will be accompanied by Nigel Hopkins and His All Star Band plus special guests.

Peter has invited Queen Street School to appear on stage with him, and, as well as accompanying him on a medley of songs from Joseph, they will also be performing other items during the evening.

Tickets available from The Met Box Office, telephone (01495) 322510.

Hopefully, these youngsters will get a lot oflocalsupport and it will be a big night for them appearing with a top West End Star.