That's certainly what it takes to rebuild a Church Hall and have to rely mainly on donations as well as the generosity of the builders and builders' merchants involved to get the work completed.

The work was co-ordinated by Bill Thay and was started in January and took two and a half months. The old wooden building has been rebuilt in block with cavity insulation and has a newly refurbished floor, kitchen and roof.

After a final week of preparation with finishing touches being completed by the builders and a lot of hard work by members of the congregation and the PCC, Saturday, April 19, saw the opening of St Paul's Church Hall, Cwmtillery. The Bishop of Monmouth, Right Reverend Dominic Walker blessed the building and opened the Church Hall by cutting the ribbon. The original plan was for the ribbon to be placed across the outside door, but as it was raining, we all went inside and the ribbon was placed across the kitchen entrance.

There were over 50 of us there and we were treated to a delicious meal. Bill Thay gave a vote of thanks to all those involved who had helped make the rebuilding and opening a success: Bishop Dominic, Father Patrick Coleman, the members of the PCC, Builder Alan Bancroft and his boys, Gwillam and Bacon Builders Merchants who donated £200 towards materials, Mervyn Crandon, Kitchen Manager at Focus for his advice, the Manager at Dolec who helped regarding the flooring, BGCBC Building Inspector Kelvin Assender, the electrician and all who helped with the cleaning and preparing the food.

The project wasn't eligible for any grants, and has cost a total of £10,000. £3, 500 has been raised already and £255.61 was raised on the day with a further £100 promised, but that still leaves a further £7,500 to find. If anyone is interested in helping, please contact Bill Thay on (01495) 212353.

St Paul's Church Hall is the only meeting place in Cwmtillery and is available for hire for birthday parties and functions after funerals. It is already used six days a week: * Mums and Tots on Tuesday and Fridays between 91m-12 noon * Youth Club on Wednesday: Juniors (ages 5-11) between 5.30pm-7pm and Seniors (ages 11-16) between 7.30pm-8.30pm.

* Whist drive on Mondays and Thursdays between 7pm-0pm * Food co-op on Wednesday between 10am-12 noon * Bingo on Thursday between 3pm-5pm in time to catch the bus back down to Abertillery.

The Hall will also be used as a Polling Station on 1 May.

MENTRO ALLAN: If you are recovering from poor mental health and feel you would benefit from fun, friendly and social outdoor activities in you local community, then this could be for you. Mentro Allan is a project funded by the Lottery Fund jointly with Blaenau Gwent CBC and Merthyr Tydfil CBC.

It is suitable for all levels of ability and interest and includes: * Walking, archery, kayaking, cycling, gardening and exergaming.

For more information, please contact: Carwyn.Jopnes @merthyr.gov.uk LOCAL PLAYWRIGHT: Abertillery Amateur Dramatic and Musical Society are proud to present two One-Act Plays by local playwright Frankie Baskerville. Daniel's Wedding and String of Pearls are comedies which contain adult humour.The plays are being performed at The Met on May 13-14. Doors open at 6.30pm and the performances start at 7pm. Tickets cost £5 and are available from The Met on (01495) 322510.

THEME PARK: Dana's Cars are organising an action-packed family fun day to Drayton Manor Theme Park on 5 May.

Tickets cost: Over 12's £26, 4-12 years old £23, Under 4's £8 and OAPs £15. All monies must be paid in full when booking.

For more information, please ring Dana on (01495) 320762 or 07855 382632.

LIVE MUSIC: The next live gigs at The Six Bells Hotel are: * May1 Dave Munro * May8 Sue Charles * May 15 Wayne Luther Everyone is welcome. For more information, please ring (01495) 212568.

TAX ADVICE: The next tax clinic will be held at the Age Concern Office in the Arcade on Thursday, May 8, between 10am-12pm. The clinic is organised by TOP (TaxHelp for Older People) and is a Community Legal Service. The advisers are all tax professional who are giving their time and skills to TOP. All interviews with an adviser are private. If you're worried or confused, call in for a chat. If you can't get to the office, a home visit will be arranged in cases of disability or you can just talk to someone over the phone. Please ring: 0845 601 3321.

AGE CONCERN: Age Concern in partnership with other organisations is continuing to organise free events for all: The events below are organised in partnership with Communities First Abertillery: * May 1 - Coffee morning/ Breast Test Wales at Age Concern Office.

* Exercise at Davey Evans Court at 11 am * Chair Exercise at Davey Evans Court at 11am The following events are organised in partnership with Communities First Cwmtillery and are all held at Howell Griffiths Court starting at 2.30pm: * May 1 - Healthy Heart/Healthy Bones with BGLBL * May 8 - Chair Exercise * May 15 - Reminiscence with Communities First * May 22 - Introduction to Computers * May 29 - talk on Will Making with Ian Galbraith Age Concern has also teamed up with Communities First, Cwm : * May 8 - Body Shop at 11 am at Llandafal Court. This session will include a hand massage and various body Shop items will be on sale.

* May 29 - talk by the Red Cross at Llandafal Court starting at 11am. There will also be aids and adaptations available to buy such as pill boxes, pill cutters, accessories to help opening tins and bottles easier etc.

The Keeping Carers Healthy Project is funded by BG Social Services: * April 29 - Line Dancing at OAP Hall, William Street Cwm between 6.pm-7.30pm * April 30 - Breast Test Wales, St Mary's Church Hall Brynmawr between 10.30am-12.30pm * May 13- Chair Exercise at OAP Hall William Street, Cwm between 6pm-7.30pm * May 21 - Computer Taster Session at the Info Shop, Cwm between 11am-1pm * May 22 - Computer Taster Session at Howell Griffiths Court between 2.30pm-4.20pm * May 28 - Yoga at St Mary's Church Hall. Brynmawr between 10.30am-12.30pm * June 12- Bus trip to Weston - time to be arranged * June 19 - a walk around Cyfartha Castle - time to be arranged * July 1 - an afternoon of entertainment with live music at Ebenezer Church Hall. Tickets cost £3 and the fun starts at 2pm.

For more information on any event, please call Annette on (01495) 321780. For more information on the Computer Taster Sessions, please contact Karen Langworthy, Older Person's Learning Co-ordinator on (01495) 309951.