EASTER AT HOREB CHAPEL: The secretary of Horeb Baptist Chapel, Blaenavon, Mrs Pauline Whitcombe, has given me the following account of their busy Easter preparations: We had a very busy time preparing for Easter, as we held the Lent study for the Council of Churches for six weeks.

On Maundy Thursday, we celebrated the feast of the Passover, which was a very moving evening.

On Good Friday, some of our members joined in the service and procession of witness, and at 6pm we held our Good Friday service.

On Easter Saturday, we took a minibus to Highfields Church, Cardiff, to see a performance of Handel's Messiah.

On Easter Sunday, we held our service, during which the children of the Sunday School received baskets of Easter eggs and the adults received bookmarks with a beautiful verse on the reverse side. Each bookmark was handmade by the ladies of the 5 Cs Club, which is held on a Thursday evening. At the close of the service we gathered around the Lord's table for communion.

BLAENAVON HOSPITAL WELFARE SOCIETY: On Easter Sunday, the chairman of the Hospital Welfare committee, Cllr Brian Whitcombe and his wife Pauline, visited the patients and gave them all an Easter egg and an Easter card.

These were received with much pleasure by the patients, and then Mr and Mrs Whitcombe chatted to them.

BLAENAVON COUNCIL OF CHURCHES: The secretary of Blaenavon Council of Churches, Mrs Pauline Whitcombe reports that their six weeks Lenten study at Horeb Chapel was very interesting, although few in numbers, the leaders, pastor David Miller, Rev Dr Jason Bray, Rev Ian Baker, Dr Brian Harris and Mr Gwillym Leek, made the study very worthwhile.

On Good Friday, the procession of witness gathered at the top of Broad Street and walked down the main street, with Pastor David Miller carrying the cross high into Bethlehem Court, where a nice congregation had assembled.

The Blaenavon town band and the Blaenavon concert band joined together to play the hymns for the service. The weather was kind, and in the warm sunshine there were readings and prayers .

Mrs Whitcombe wishes to thank everyone who attended and participated, and also the police officer who kindly headed the procession.

WEA COURSE: Want to improve your chances of getting a job? - The WEA, with Careers Wales, is running a free course to help you gain the skills needed to get ahead in the ever-demanding search for a career.

Courses are from Monday, April 23, at the Learning Action Centre, Church View, in Blaenavon. For more information contact WEA and speak to Vince or James, on 01495 791128.

MEET TREVOR FISHLOCK: Writer and broadcaster, Trevor Fishlock, will be visiting Blaenavon on Saturday, May 5, as part of the Blaenavon Spring Festival.

Trevor writes and presents the popular Wild Tracks series for ITV, and he has worked on assignments in more than sixty countries.

He will be signing copies of his books and will be available to answer questions at Broadleaf Books, 12 Broad Street.

VIVA LA CHOIR: Blaenavon Male Voice Choir have just returned from a three-concert tour of Southern Spain, where they sang at Casa de la Cultura, Nerja; Salon Varieties, Fueringirola and the Alhaurin de la Torre.

The choir were delighted with the concert venues and capacity audiences, which were arranged by Melody Music Tour Company.

On the tour were soprano Adele O'Neill and pianist Rhodri Clark. The choir were conducted by deputy musical director, Ozzie Arnold.

MD of Melody Music, Mark Burrows, said the choir performed to a very high standard, and the response from audiences proved that a first-class choir, with the right publicity and soloists, will always enjoy a full house.

On Saturday, May 5, they perform along with world famous harpist, Catrin Finch, at Blaenavon Workmen's Hall.

Tickets are £10, and are on sale now at Morris Butchers, 24 Broad Street, Blaenavon. Tel Barbara, on 01495 790719, or Amy, 01633 648812.

AFRICAN DRUM WORKSHOP: Have you ever fancied playing the drums? Well, here's your chance.

A drum circle is a fantastic way of experiencing the pleasure of making music and having fun as well.

Enjoy the power of African drumming, led by local percussionist and educator, David Powell.

No experience is necessary, just go along to The Doorway, 69/70 Broad Street, on Saturday, May 5, 2pm-3.30pm.

YOUTH MUSIC SHOWCASE: Torfaen CBC, Gwent Music Support, Dragon Bands and Musical Youth present a unique showcase of exciting music, on Sunday, May 6, from 2pm to 5pm, at Blaenavon Workmen's Hall.

Featured will be a young, original group from Pontypool, 4Gotten, led by the Musical Youth Project, and there will also be music from up-and-coming artistes, provided by Dragon Bands. Admission is free.