Six Villages - Brynawel, Cwmfelinfach, Wattsville, Wyllie, Ynysddu and Gelli Groes.

Tree-mendous effort by kids: Pupils (see pic) at Ynysddu Primary School have been branching out into a new environmentally friendly project.

The children have been busy planting hundreds of young trees around the school grounds in a project that combines both scientific and environmental lessons.

The trees were donated to the school,which is in Ynysddu High Street, through contacts with the Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations.

Julie Protheroe, head teacher at Ynysddu primary, said the activity is part of the school's efforts to reduce its impact on the natural world.

She said: "We have planted around 200 trees, which links to current science lessons and environmental studies.

"It goes a long way towards achieving a carbon neutral footprint."

Ms Protheroe said another benefit of the initiative could be to help to reduce anti-social behaviour by increasing young people's sense of ownership and involvement in their community, possibly preventing them engaging in anti-social behaviour later.

She added: "We think that involving children at an early stage promotes ownership of the village, and will hopefully cut down on vandalism in the future.

"We have emphasised to the children that these trees are for their future to help school look better, and to help the environment and wildlife."

Social Evening: Cwmfelinfach Residents Association said Goodbye and Good luck to Danielle and Scot on their Great Wall of China Trek in aid of Cancer Research UK.

They have reached their target of raising £5,000 towards the charity and an additional £81 was raised by the residents at the end of the evening.

Danielle and Scot will be opening a website soon to enable everyone at home to keep in touch with information about their walk. Details will be in this column once it is set up.

After they have completed their walk, they will be taking time out to travel the world so it will be some time before we see them again in Cwmfelinfach.

The residents were also treated to a hilarious talk by Duncan from the Post Office about his time working on the buses.

He had the whole audience rocking with laughter as he recounted all true stories when taking bus trips aboard and also driving around London.

Pigeon Club News:The Pontllanfraith and Ynysddu Home Society meet at the Progressive Club, Ynysddu on Friday evenings.

Here are the results of the Newbury to home race on April 28.

In total, 28 members of the club entered 603 birds in the race.

There was a north east wind (blow home wind) so the birds made good time.

In a stunning display, 1st, 2nd and 3rd places all went to Davies & Haynes.

Winning time was 01:24:37 over a distance of 83miles 478yards.

Glad to see the pigeon club have not gone metric yet so all of us of more senior years know how far that is!

If anyone wants any information on the club give the secretary Mike Bowen a call on 01495 249336.

Off-Road Riding: Your local police ward officers are circulating leaflets in the valley dealing with the constant nuisance and annoyance caused by illegal drivers of motorbikes and quads both on and off road.

Whether the drivers are adults or children, the law is the same.

Unless you intend to ride on private land, then you will need a drivers licence, insurance, and test certificate.

If you are riding illegally without all of these, then you could have your bike seized and have it destroyed so that it can no longer be used or you could be made subject to an Anti-social Behaviour Referral, and have to enter into a contract of good behaviour.

Every illegal rider has neighbours or family who know they are doing it.

The public, by giving names of illegal riders, could stop this problem instantly.

To make a report, please call the police on 01633 838111.

Sunday at the Black: After a decade the Black Prince in Ynysddu is re-introducing live entertainment on Sunday afternoons starting at 5.30pm.

The show will be split into two 45-minute spots followed by the usual Sunday evening Karaoke entertainment.

Sunday lunches will be served as usual.

What's On: Monday - Bingo at the Black Prince 9pm start.

Thursday - Ynysddu Hotel, free pool all night from 7pm. Over 18's only.

Friday - Karaoke at the Black Prince Saturday - Live Artist at the Progressive Club.

Sunday afternoon at the Black Prince - live entertainment vocalist Louise Haliday at 5.30pm followed by Karaoke.