The Five Villages - Brynawel, Cwmfelinfach, Wattsville, Wyllie, Ynysddu Mothers and Toddlers: Ann Hall and Carol Bradley have a busy Monday morning every week running their mothers and Toddlers Group from 9.30 to 11.30am.

All Mums, Dads, Grandparents and Guardians wishing to bring along their toddlers under three years old will get a very warm welcome. The parents supervise the toddlers' play and there is plenty of tea and biscuits for all. The fees are £1.25 per session. The Group is voluntary run and funds go back into the Children's' toys, parties, Easter eggs and summer bus trip. I think you'll agree, it is loads of fun for the little ones.

Ward Officer: There are new opening hours at the Cwmfelinfach Police Station on Maindee Road, where PC Becky Hudd and PCSO Colin Davies hold their weekly surgeries.

The new surgery time is between 5 and 7 pm every Wednesday, open to everyone.

You are welcome to call in for information and a confidential chat with them or just for a cup of tea.

For those who wish to call Becky Hudd on community issues the ward officer telephone number is 01495 233912.

If you are reporting an incident still phone Blackwood Police Station on 01495 223673, where your call will be logged and a log number given.

Cru's News: As a season summary to date, Ynysddu Welfare Crusaders are in the top half of SWAFL Division One, with a home cup quarter-final to look forward to on February 24 v Llantwit Major.

Crusaders' Gwent County team are just below halfway in GCFAL Division Three and, with a lot of home games to come, are looking for a top-half finish.

Crusaders' North Gwent side are now four places off bottom, following a 8-0 demolition of FC Dugout and, with a couple more victories, should be assured of avoiding the dreaded NGAFL wooden spoon! Finally, the Under 18s, while two off the bottom in the GCFAYL U18 Division One, have virtually all remaining games to play at home and will play Undy Athletic, home and away, in the Cup first round later this month.

Report by Ian Gilchrist 78 Years Ago: It is hard to believe that on February 6, 1929, Superintendent Spendlove of Risca Police Station read out the Riot Act to the miners and their families during a strike at Nine Mile Point Colliery.

A crowd of 700 men, women and children had gathered in protest as police escorted miners who were not on strike into the mine.

The crowd were baton-charged and many were injured and arrested. Those arrested were subsequently charged and went to jail.

It was never officially admitted that the Riot Act had been read, as the legality of it would have been contested, but many witnesses present that day recalled vividly the words being read out by Superintendent Spendlove.

Those were hard times and families in the valley still remember their fathers and grandfathers who took part in the struggle for a fair wage and better conditions. Thanks to local historian Ray Potter for the above information.

Coffee Morning: Cwmfelinfach Residents Association invite all to their monthly Coffee Morning on Friday 9th February at 10.30am at the Community Hall.