MUSIC MOST HORRID?: Abertillery Comprehensive School is hosting an amateur performance of the hit 70s musical Little Shop of Horrors, on July 10, 11 and 12.

So, whether you saw it first time round, or this will be your first experience, go along and have a great night.

Doors open 6.30pm and the performance starts at 7pm. Tickets cost £6 for adults and £4 for concessions, and are available from the School Shop.

FRIENDS REUNITED: Martha Lowman has written to tell me of the recent visit to Wales by a former school-mate and her husband, who now live in Australia, after emigrating there in 1970.

Mr and Mrs Ivor Bayliss, from Gawler, in South Australia, were over here to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.

Hazel and Martha attended Cock and Chick School, Cwmtillery, and have been lifelong friends. Ivor lived in Six Bells.

50+ FORUM: The next 50+ Forum takes place on July 18, in Ebenezer Chapel, starting at 10.30am.

So, if you're over 50, and you want to find out what's available, or have ideas for what you would like to see happen for your age-group, just go along. Admission is free and refreshments are available.

SUN TO COME OUT ON ANNIE: Following the success of last year's production Scheherazade, Queen Street School pupils are again taking to the stage.

This year they'll be performing Annie on July 18 and 19 at The Met.

For further details, please contact the school directly, on (01495) 212179.

COMMUNITIES FIRST SHOP: There are several agencies using the Communities First Shop in The Arcade on a Thursday: * Shelter Cymru have an advisor available every Thursday, from 10am-12pm. No appointment necessary.

* Blaenau Gwent Citizens Advice Bureau are there again every Thursday, between 12pm-4pm. No appointment necessary.

* Credit Union are there each week to help you save if you don't wish to open either a bank or building society account. They are available between 11.30am-1.30pm.

SUPERSTARS CHALLENGE: The Blaenau Gwent Superstars Challenge takes place on Saturday, August 18, at Parc Bryn Bach. If you want to enter a team or would like further information, contact the Senior Sports Development Officer, on (01495) 355654.

BLAENAU GWENT COMMUNITY FOOD NEWS: Set in the grounds of Caerphilly Castle the Big Cheese event, from July 27 to 29, is set to attract many visitors again this year The event is free, with many food stalls, with the main food hall exhibition being on July 28 and 29.

For details visit www.caerphilly. gov.uk/bigcheese/bigcheese.htm Hot Tips for a Safe Barbecue: Assuming at some stage that we'll have barbecue weather, please take note of the following tips: When you're barbecuing, the biggest risk of food poisoning is from raw and undercooked meat.

* Cook barbecued food properly - always make sure you cook chicken, pork, burgers, sausages and kebabs until they're piping hot all the way through, and none of the meat is pink and juices run clear.

Don't assume that if meat is charred on the outside that it is cooked on the inside.

* Remember, always wash your hands after handling raw meat, use separate utensils for raw and cooked meat.

* Never put cooked food on a plate or surface that has been used for raw meat.

* Don't put raw meat next to cooked or partially cooked on the barbecue.

* Make sure frozen food is properly thawed before you cook it.

For more information visit www.food.gov.uk/safereating