Banking on Bravery: A daredevil bank worker swapped cashing cheques and paperwork for safety checks and parachutes when she tackled a charity sky dive, writes Walter Jones.

On Saturday, June 9, Rhiannon Jones of Pontypool, who works in Barclays Bank at Risca, plummeted from the heavens at Swindon in Wiltshire.

In the process raised the grand sum of £1,200 for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Barclays then topped this up by chipping in with a donation of £750.

Congratulations are extended to Rhiannon for her bravery to help the charity, which provides support animals for people with visual impairments.

Recognising Long Service: The annual general meeting of Risca Male Choir was held at the group's base on Thursday, June 21.

In his report, the chairman thanked everyone for their help during the year and expressed the desire for increased attendance at rehearsals with the amount of upcoming engagements.

A new CD, is now on sale entitled Risca Male Choir Sings the Movies.

Chairman, Leigh Tucker and vice-chairman Gwyn Tovey were as re-elected.

Plaques for 25 years' service plaques were handed out to T Baker, G Williams, A Davies, M Hodson, and W Jones.

Plaques for 30 years' service went to R Evans, G Holley, G Harris, J Lacey, S Wiltshire, A Watkins, R Donaghue, and C James. Plaques for 35 years' service were given to M Bevan, G Tovey and J Owen.

Plaques for 38 years service were withheld due to the absence of G Pritchard and T Richards.

New singers are welcome, particularly top-tenor and bottom base.

Risca Carnival and Fete: On August Bank Holiday, Sunday, August 26, the Risca Carnival and Fete will be held.

Building on last year's great success the community of Risca and surrounding areas will come together for another fun-filled day.

The theme for this year's carnival queen float will be Cinderella and organisers are looking for a queen, court ladies, princesses and princes.

Judging will be at the Forge Hammer Inn in Pontymister at 6pm on Thursday, July 12. Please come along and join in.

Get into the carnival spirit by getting together with neighbours, work colleagues and friends and enter your float. Organisers can arrange lorries if needed.

Contact 01633 612277 for further details.

Cross Keys Community Group: Tea/coffee mornings are held at St Catherine's Community Hall every Tuesday between the hours of 10.30pm and 12pm. Everyone of all ages is very welcome.

Bingo sessions run every Tuesday, doors open 2pm for a 2.30pm start.

The snowball this week stands at £18.

The community group is still making a collection of unwanted spectacles to help people in Africa without access to the kind of high street optician taken for granted in the UK.

Please ask friends, neighbours and family and please bring donations to St Cath's hall any Tuesday between 10.30am-4pm.

On Tuesday, July 10, the community group welcomes Christine Chandler, co-ordinator for Ty-Hafan Children's Hospice in Wales at 11am to present a quilt which will be made part of a giant Welsh flag lining the floor of the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Please come along.

The group will host a fish and chip lunch on Tuesday, July 17, at 12.15pm. Make your order and telephone the number below to confirm attendance.

Dancing classes will start in the summer holidays covering disco, street and many more styles. A full list is being compiled. Again, telephone number is below.

Remember, the hall is now available for hire.

The venue has disabled access and car parking facilities.

Book now for children's parties, meetings, dances, weddings, etc.

Call Rebecca on 07900 516381 or Lynne on 01495 271947. Answer phones available. All calls returned.

In Bloom With Cross Keys Allotments: Once again the allotments have entered the Caerphilly in Bloom competition.

Judging will take place during the third week of July (schools second week).

Allotment chiefs send thanks to all who have made special efforts to tidy their plots.

Don't forget, an allotment open day is on Saturday, August 18.

All enquiries to either Mike Fletcher on 01633 865385 or Lynne on 01495 271947. Also visit www.crosskeys.org.uk Happy gardening!

Attention Sport-Minded Children: Risca RFC mini and junior section will soon be kicking off their pre-season training for the coming season 2007/2008.

The club boasts teams in every age group from eight to 16-years-old and also the newly formed under-eight Dragons, who purely come to the training field at the Fire Station Field, New Park Road, Risca, with a rugby ball in their hands.

At least one and mostly two approved WRU coaches run every age group. If your son or daughter is interested in coming along to test their skill and talent or just for fun and fitness then please contact David Crandon on 01633 613024.

Bargain Hunting: Waunfawr Primary School is holding the Cross Keys Summer Fayre on Saturday, July 14, starting at 12pm in the school yard.

There will be a variety of stalls including bottles. There will also be a barbecue. Admission is 20p.

Call Debbie Mellish on 01495 273175 for details.

Concert In The Park: The report on the Saturday evening concert at Pontypool Park on June 23 was somewhat misleading.

While the attendance was low participants, namely Risca Male Choir, St Albans Chamber Orchestra and the trumpeter gave a good account of themselves and provided two hours of good and enjoyable music.

The organisers who chose the participants can in no way be blamed, although it is understood more publicity could have been given to the fundraising event.

Choir's Busy Time Ahead: Risca Male Choir continue its engagements with an evening at Barclays Bank opening of their new premises in Cardiff on July 5.

This will be followed with a visit to fresh ground in Poole, Dorset on July 14, when the choir will perform in a combined concert with Bournemouth Male Choir.

Then, on July 27 they will attend a wedding at St Mary's Church, Malpas, before breaking up for two weeks in August.

On September 15, the choir will be in concert at Burleigh Academy, Newport, in aid of the British Lung Foundation, followed by a date in early October at Orchard Lane, St Julians, Newport, and the annual concert on a date to be fixed in the same month.

The Risca branch of the British Legion's Remembrance event is on November 9 at Risca leisure centre and the annual Christmas concerts at Cross Keys college follow. This year it's Disney Time on December 14/15.