CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICES: An invitation and a warm welcome is extended to you all to attend the Abertillery Independent Baptist Church, for a Christmas service, at 3pm, on Sunday, December 23.

The service will take place in the Learning Centre in Abertillery Comprehensive School. Pastor Richard Holst, of Cardiff, will lead the service and all look forward to seeing you.

Zion will also hold their Christmas Service on December 23.

ABERTILLERY AND DISTRICT MUSEUM NEWS: Christmas Closure: The museum will be open on Saturday, December 22, but will then be closed until Tuesday, January 8, 2008. The January Newsletter will be available at the Museum, and on-line.

The annual dinner will be on Friday, January 18, 2008, at The Railway Inn, starting at 7pm for 7.30pm. Contact Roy Pickford on 01633 213377 to order your ticket. The all-inclusive price is £16.

In November, the fundraising raised the total of £886.

Next year's lectures get off to a flying start with: Saturday, January 12 - Coalhouse Coffee Morning, with one of the producers of the series; Friday, January 18 - Annual dinner, Railway Inn, Abertillery, £16.

Lectures start at 7.00pm in the Metropole Theatre, with teas and a chat downstairs in the museum afterwards. Entry is £2 and the public are most welcome.

For information on Frank Olding's daytime lectures, please contact the museum, on (01495) 211140.

BRYNITHEL COMMUNITY NEWS: Why not come along to Brynithel community centre and join in a variety of courses and groups?

All groups are FREE of charge and available to 16+ youth and Adults. The groups are run by various agencies working to improve provision throughout Blaenau Gwent.

There's Language & Play for 0-3 and their parents/carers, run on Thursdays, 10-11.30am; WEA run a Beauty Course, on Tuesdays, 12.45-2.45pm; NCH run a Cookery Challenge Tuesday's, 10-noon For more information, call in at the Centre on Wednesdays between 10am-noon.

The St Illtyd 5-a-side League has started with teams from Swffryd, Llanhilleth, Aberbeeg and Six Bells competing every Sunday afternoon 3pm-5pm, at Llanhilleth Astro Turf. It is based on children in the ward from ages 11-16 and is very competitive.

AGE CONCERN: Keeping well and warm this winter couldn't be easier. Age Concern has lots of tips included in Health and Wellbeing: Adding Years to Life and Life to Years.

Although ageing is an inevitable part of the life cycle, many of the illnesses assumed to accompany it are not inevitable or can be successfully managed.

There is an increasing view that ageing, as we know it, is neither necessary nor inevitable.

Winter Workout: Stay active this winter and keep moving. Physical activity will help keep you warm and well.

Top Tips - Keep up your exercise routine.

Keep moving rather than standing or sitting when outdoors. Don't stay sitting still for long periods at home. Space chores out through the day.

Stay Safe - Don't take risks in wet or icy weather. There are lots of activities you can do in your own home, such as climbing stairs, dancing, vacuum cleaning Why Exercise? - There are many health and lifestyle benefits of physical activity - whatever your age!

Regular exercise will help you: Improve mobility, balance and muscle strength; Promote an overall sense of well-being; Prevent some illnesses; Reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity and being hurt ina fall; Reduce stress and alleviate depression.

Enjoy activities with family and friends!

How much should I exercise? Aim towards half an hour of moderate physical activity on most days of the week.

If you haven't been active for a while, start slowly and work towards this goal.

Get started - Great ways to start getting fit are going for a gentle walk or swim.

Go for a walk, either in your local park, in the countryside, or on the beach if you live near the seaside.

Swimming is an excellent all-round exercise, and you can find a list of leisure centres and swimming pools in your local phone book under the name of your local council.

The Welsh Assembly Government provide free swimming for people over 60 years of age in Wales.

Here are other fun activities: Aerobic exercise classes, walking or cycling groups, ten-pin bowling, yoga, tai chi, line Dancing and Ballroom Dancing Ask at the library or contact your local Age Concern for information about local clubs and societies who do special exercises suitable for older people.

Also don't forget to contact your local Age Concern to advise you. Some of them even run physical activity sessions and a host of other activities.

Age Concern Cymru are involved in a unique project to produce and publish a Little Book of Welsh Wisdom.

They are featuring words of wisdom from older people across Wales on specific themes: Childhood, Growing Up, Success, Love, Learning, Health, Dreams, Life, Death and Being an Adult.

These words of wisdom will be interspersed with illustrated interpretations from children on the same themes and brought together in a little book.

The book will highlight the wealth of experience and understanding older people have to offer to younger generations.

Anyone whose contribution is used in the book will have their name alongside their quote, and will be invited to a book launch along with all the other contributors (older people and younger people). Contributors will also be entered into a prize draw.

For information, go to www.

accymru.org.uk/artsandcreativity GREEN GYM NEWS: Over the last month the Green Gym has reached some landmarks in its history!

At the beginning of the month, the Green Gym held a series of events which culminated in the cutting of a birthday cake - "Four years working in the community and proud of it!"

Then, later in the month, again there was the cutting of another cake to celebrate John Browns 73rd birthday!

John is one of our longest serving members, and we would like to wish him all the very best in the coming year!