Time for tea

For bingo, doors open at 2pm for a 2.30pm start with a £1 admission charge, the raffle costs £1 to enter.

A snowball prize of £16 was won last week. It now stands at £9.

Unwanted spectacles are still being collected. Bring them to St Catherine's Community Hall any Tuesday between 10.30am-4pm.

On Tuesday, July 10, some of the women who support the group also met with Chris Chandler, co-ordinator at Ty Hafan Children's Hospice.

The Cross Keys parent and toddler groups have closed for the school holidays, they resume in September.

The Green Festival is in Waunfawr Park on Saturday, August 4.

There will plenty of activities for children and adults to enjoy while raising environmental awareness.

Some of the attractions include a welly wanging (throwing) competition, worm charming, wood turning and a tethered hot air balloon.

This will offer fabulous views over Cross Keys and the area.

Live bands will be appearing all day at the bandstand area.

Admission is free.

Judging of this year's Caerphilly in Bloom competition continues this coming week.

Please contact Rebecca on 07900516381 or Lynne on 01495 271947. Answerphones available.

Down at the bowling green: Abercarn bowls club run of fine form shows no signs of slipping with the club picking up wins in both the cup and the league.

An outstanding win was achieved against first division giants RTB Ebbw Vale in the County Cup, the reward is an away trip to Pontyfelin BC in the next round.

In the league a very good ten points were secured away to Rhymney Royal on a very wet Saturday.

The GBL, also had an excellent home win on July 14 against Brynmawr BC, raking in 12 points out of a possible 14 points.

This was a much needed boost for the club who have lately, through illness, work commitments and holidays been struggling for players.

Let's hope this is just the tonic the side needs.

Coaching sessions continue every Thursday from, 6pm-7pm.

For details call Len on 01495 244383 or Mike on 07870 589054 or just turn up on Thursdays.

choirs combine to give concert: The parish church of Saint James, in Poole, Dorset, was the venue when Bournemouth Male Voice Choir played host to the Risca Male Choir on Saturday, July 14.

Opening proceedings the host choir sang pieces including the old favourite Amazing Grace.

These were followed by a selection of monologues by Roger Cooper and a solo by Mark Burstow (baritone) entitled Silent Moon.

This then brought the visiting choir from Gwent to the stage.

They thrilled the audience with items from their repertoire such as Amen by Halfdan Kjerulf, and What Shall We Do With the Drunken Sailor.

Taking things up to the interval, both choirs combined on the Welsh hymn tune, Deus Salutis.

The second half of the evening brought back the Risca choir with Welsh folk songs Hiraeth and Gurru'r Ychen.

Another selection of monologues by Roger Cooper was the next item after which Mark Burstow sang the popular Linden Lea.

The Bournemouth Male Voice Choir then came back with pieces such as My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose.

To end the concert both choirs then joined together on Morte Criste.

Afterwards a social occasion was held at a local public house.

Also many thanks to the hosts for the buffet provided for the choir prior to the evening's concert.

Pre-school at Moriah Baptist Church: Pre-school is held at Moriah Baptist Church every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9.30am to 12pm.

Children can start from two-and-a-half-years-old. For more details call John Hayward on 01633 613865, Christine Gay on 01633 601415, or Debbie Walker on 01633 614748.

Why not try Judo? New classes start from Monday, August 6 at St Margaret's church hall, Pontymister.

Times are - Five-years-old and up, 6pm to 7.30pm; 16-years-old and up 7.30pm-9pm.

For more information call 01633 613753 or 01633 601256.

Meeting: A Body Shop party will be held at the Britannia Close complex, Maryland Road, Pontymister, on Monday, July 30. Doors open 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

It's a Knockout! Saint David's Foundation Hospice Care is holding a special day of games on Sunday, July 29 at Risca rugby club from 2pm-5pm.

For an It's a Knockout entry form call 01633 271364 or e-mail fundraising@stdavidsfoundation.co.uk.

Islwyn Ramblers: The ramblers will hold a meeting at Risca rugby club on Wednesday, July 25 at 7.15pm.

The next walk is on Saturday, July 28, and is to Rudry/Draethen. Leave Blackvein, Cross Keys at 9.30am easy/moderate six miles - call Allan and Judith Elliot on 01633 612521.

Then on Sunday, August 5 - Duffryn Crawmon - leave Blackvein at 9am - moderate. Also Woodland and Moorland five miles. Call Rob Southall on 01495 270078 or visit www.islwynramblers.co.uk Music in the Parks: Community Music Wales and Caerphilly County Borough Council have teamed up to launch a series of music workshops in August.

On Sunday, August 5, Morgan Jones Park is the venue for a percussion workshop. Waunfawr Park, Cross Keys hosts a DJ workshop.

There are percussion and puppetry workshops in Morgan James Park on Sunday, August 12, also there is a percussion workshop in Waunfawr Park, Cross Keys.

On Sunday, August 19, a DJ workshop will be held in Morgan Jones park while Waunfawr Park, Cross Keys hosts percussion and puppetry workshops.

All are free of charge and run from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

Carnival Queen: The carnival queen judging took place at the Forge Hammer Inn, in Risca, with Irene James, Betty Toomer, Sam Gerrard and the Rev Blackburn interviewing all 17 contestants.

The final selection was very difficult and the Risca Millennium Committee thanks all in attendance for their enthusiastic support.

The theme for this year's float is Cinderella's Coach and the queen is Esther Strange with Molly Rose Crandon and Marie Brookes as court ladies.

Princesses are Lilly-May Evans, Tia Williams, Isobel Stokes and Poppy Brooks-Harris. Morgan Clark is the prince.

An Open Invitation: Fresh drinks and food are available at the TLC community shop, Elm Drive, Ty-Sign.

Everyone is welcome to come in and have a cuppa and a chat, find out what is happening in the local community and see if they can help.

The shop receive regular visits from local community officers and the police force, so any issues can be dealt with professionally and efficiently.

Help is also available get single parents back to work.

Courses for all ages are also run in the new computer room.

Health checks are run every month for blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol.

The shop even orders and collects fruit, vegetables, eggs and salad from the food co-op.

Baptist Church: Visit Bethany Baptist Church for a cup of tea and refreshments on Wednesday, July 25, between 1.30pm and 2.30pm to find out how the Risca Carer's Support group can help if you care for a loved one who is ill or disabled.

The group offers a listening ear, support and advice and provides a sitter to look after patients while their carers are at the group or on trips.

Orphan Choir: Come and meet the Romanian Orphan Choir at Cross Keys Pentecostal Church, Gladstone Street, on Friday July 27, from 7pm.

They will sing and give accounts of their lives.

Organisers say it is sure to be moving and inspiring experience.

Call 01633 615062 for more details.

Residents' association: Cross Keys and Pontywaun Residents' Association holds its AGM on Monday, July 30 at 7pm at Cross Keys Hotel.

Members hope residents who want a voice in the regeneration of the area will come and participate. For more details call Maggie Thomas on 01495 273057.

Ty Sign Primary School: The Friends of Ty Sign primary school would like to thank everyone who helped make their summer fete on July 7 such a success.

Despite the uncertain weather, those who attended enjoyed a huge variety of stalls and displays, helping to bring in funds to be spent on improving facilities at Ty Sign.

Thanks to St John's Ambulance for providing first fid cover.

The friends are always looking for new members. Leave your name and contact number in the school reception if interested.

The Really Cuckoo Company: The Really Cuckoo Company, based in St Mary's, is proud to announce the re-launch of their website, www.reallycuckoo.com.

It features a variety of articles, photos and details about shows past and present, the new-look site is also informative and easy to use.

When rehearsals resume in September for their next Cuckoo production, probably a pantomime.

Make sure you log on to read about the highs and lows of producing a musical show.

For more details call 01633 612171 or try out the website.

Risca Male Choir: The choir will take a break from rehearsals from July 27 to August 13.

They will then resume practice sessions to preparing for autumn and winter engagements.

New members are welcome.