Getting ready for a big week

Tuesday, May 27, My Wales', and evening with photographer Harry Vagg.

Harry will talk you through his series of photographs starting at 5.30am at Pen-y-Fan pond. He will take us on a guided tour around all the beautiful sights in Wales.

Wednesday,May 28, Chunkie Russel Children's Show with Folly Farm, 7.30pm.

Thursday, May 29, 7.30pm, Open Mic - Poetry, pints and music night with Llanhilleth writers group. open to everyone, with guest speaker author Babs Horton, crimewriter and guest singing spot from local tenor Lesley Price.

Friday, May 30, SwingingSixties Night with one of the UK'stop Beatles tribute shows, Welsh Beatles, plus disco, fancy dress optional.

Tuesday, May 27-Friday, May 30, Carnival Arts from 10.00am until 4.00pm, with a carnival perfor-mance taking place on Friday, May 30.

LADIES ORPHEUS NEWS: Martha Lowman, publicity officer, has sent me the following report: The Abertillery Ladies Orpheus visited Pencoed Miners' Welfare Hall, on Saturday, May 10.

It was a joint concert with the Mid Glamorgan Mixed Choir and was a truly wonderful experience. It was lovely singing and the audience was most appreciative.

After the concert the ladies of Pengam Choir put on the most enjoyable feast of homemade delights. I did offer to take one of the marvellous cooks home with me.

Grateful thanks to our conductor Steve Bard and accompanist Lyndon Stevens and to all our choir for their hard work and dedication.

Best wishes to Lisa Spratt for her organisation, and get well wishes to her.

Our choir will be off on tour to Germany on May 26, touring Oberhausen Rheinhausen, staying in Speyer, visiting Heilderberg, staying overnight in Gent both ways, and returning on May 31.

We are twinned with these beautiful towns. Practice resumes on Monday, June 2.

TEA DANCE: An afternoon of Dancing, Music and Charity will be held at Brynithel Community Centre on Wednesday, June 4, at 3pm.

Tickets cost £3 and are available from Mrs Tanner, on (01495) 214480. All proceeds are in aid of the Hospice of the Valleys.

SIX BELLS FETE: The Six Bells Tenants & Residents Association are holding their Annual Fete on Saturday, July 12, at noon, in the Windsor Road Field, Six Bells.

The fete will be opened by our local MP Dai Davies, and there will be lots of fun for all the family.

If you would like to book a stall for the fete, please contact Jayne Wilson, on (01495) 217839 - waiting for correct number after 6pm.

Stalls are £5 each and all the proceeds that you then make on the day are yours to keep. Come along and have a fun day out and make some money for your organisation.

PACT: The next meeting of the Abertillery Town Ward PACT is on Tuesday, May 27, at 7pm, at Abertillery Comprehensive School.

Come along and voice your views about policing matters.

SIX BELLS YOUTH COMMITTEE: The Committee are a group of young people, ranging in age from 11-16.

They are planning a youth club with lots of activities, including pool, internet, chill-out zone, computer games, nail art, café and much more.

If you have any ideas about what you'd like to see there, contact the Committee at 106 Arrail Street, or call (01495) 354757, or 07890 560947.

The group meets every Thursday at 106 Arrail Street, or you can call Claire, on (01495) 354673.

CROSS-WARD YOUTH SUB-GROUP: This is a group of workers, both paid and voluntary, parents and community members who are interested in increasing activities for young people.

They meet on a Thursday evening once a month at 6pm. The next dates are June 9, July 17 and August 15.

For more information about the group and the venue for meetings, please contact Claire Gardner Youth Projects Officer, on (01495) 354673.

EYES DOWN!: For the weekly bingo sessions at St John's Church, Six Bells come along every Tuesday from 7pm-8.30pm and have fun in a relaxed atmosphere.

Light snacks and refreshments are available to buy.

All proceeds will go to the Six Bells Women's Group, who raise money for the community to provide summer trips, pantomimes, parties and other activities throughout the school holidays.

So come along and enjoy yourselves and help out the community as well!

SUMMER TRIPS: Six Bells Women's Association have organised several trips during the summer holidays: * Bristol Zoo, on Saturday, July 19. The bus will leave at 8am and will leave the zoo at approximately 6pm. Tickets cost £10 for adults, and children £8 - this includes bus fare and entrance fee.

* Weston-super-Mare, on Saturday, August 2. The bus will leave at 9am and departs Weston at 7pm. Tickets cost £7 for adults and £5 for children.

* Tenby, on Saturday, August 16. The bus will leave at 8am and departs Tenby at 6pm.

Tickets cost £8 for adults and £6 for children.

If you would like to take part in any of these trips please contact Anne Jones, at 29 Arrail Street, or phone (01495) 217076, or (01495) 354757.

A 50 percent deposit will be asked to secure your seats when you book, as the buses need to be booked in advance.

DON'T FORGET: "Come and plant a tree this Whitsun! A Community Planting Day will take place on Thursday, May 29 between 11am-1pm, at the former Six Bells Colliery site.

Come along and find out what improvements are taking place and get the chance to plant your very own tree or Welsh heather.

This is an ideal opportunity for families to get together, have a memorable experience and make a difference to your community.

No experience is needed, just bags of enthusiasm and a sense of humour. Everyone is welcome.

For more information please contact the Community House, on 01495 354757."

RETURN TO THE WICKED STAGE: As part of the Aberfest celebrations, another great night of entertainment will be coming to The Metropole, Abertillery, on Thursday, July 3 at 7.30pm.

Return to the Wicked Stage will follow on from the very successful concert held during Aberfest 2007, and will once again feature the amazing voices of local artists Rosie Kane, Janet Matthews, Elizabeth Tiley and Harriet Whitehead.

Also appearing in the show will be the multi-talented youngsters of Kidz-R-Us of Tredegar, and for the first time the Aberbelles Belly Dance Group will also be taking part.

Musical Theatre star Peter Karrie is taking time out of his busy concert tour to be our special guest and compère for the evening.

Tickets are now on sale, and for more information and to reserve your tickets telephone Mike Spencer, on 01495 212741 or mobile 0796 8090 482.

Some tickets will also be available from The Metropole and from Liz at S.M. Ash in the Arcade, Abertillery.

Following the sell-out show last year, be sure to get your tickets early and support Aberfest 08.

Recently, young Harriet Whitehead, who will be appearing in Return to the Wicked Stage, won, for the third year running, the Mayzmusik Talent Competition in Newport, and we send our congratulations to her on her achievements.