Rain's no pain at fete

Fun for all: The rain did not dampen spirits at the Craig y Trwyn care home's Summer Fete.

Activities manager Stephen had planned for the weather and all the stalls were moved inside.

Councillor Allen Williams, Mayor of Caerphilly, and his consort Councillor Margaret Veater opened the fete.

Stephen said despite the weather more than £475 was raised for the residents' activities fund.

The Mayor and his Consort also proved to be lucky with both winning prizes from the various games at the fete.

Parents and Toddlers: Cwmfelinfach Parent and Toddlers Group experienced a little bit of agri-culture on their annual summer trip to Cwmbran Farm.

All the toddlers went free, paid for from the contributions of the group.

There were tractor rides, food to feed the animals and plenty of pop and crisps for the toddlers as well.

Parents will be pleased to know the group will be meeting throughout the summer at the Community Hall in Cwmfelinfach on Monday mornings at its usual time of 9.30am to 11.30am.

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.

Fruitful for Healthy School: Cwmfelinfach Primary School has just had confirmation that they have completed Phase Three of the Welsh Assembly's Caerphilly Healthy Schools Scheme by adopting a fruit only policy.

Children are now encouraged to only eat fruit during break time and bring healthy lunch boxes into school.

As part of the scheme the school participated in a Skip Fit event where the children had to skip in lots of different ways.

The school also regularly take the children out into the countryside as part of its Forest Schools activities to learn about nature in a healthy environment.

Jayne Arthur, head teacher, will be attending a healthy schools presentation on Thursday, July 12, to receive a £100 award for the school.

Coffee Morning: A date not to be missed is Friday, July 13, at 10.30am when the Cwmfelinfach Residents Association will be holding their final coffee morning before the summer break at the Community Centre.

Birthday Greetings: Congratulations to Walter Swidenbank of Pioneer Terrace, Cwmfelinfach from his wife Doris and all the family.

Walter is 80 years old on St Swithins Day, July 15.

We all hope the sun will shine for his birthday.

Crusaders AFC: The club has experienced another successful season at both Mini and Youth football.

Crusaders AFC provided youth football for 88 players in six teams of which three were at mini and three at youth level.

All youth teams performed well, but particular credit must go to the under 16s, who won the A League in their age group.

The under 14s finished in third position and the under 12s finished mid table.

At mini level the Under 11s retained the Founders Rosebowl with a 6-1 victory away to Cwmcarn.

Individual awards were presented at the end of the season to the following: Under 12s * Most Improved Player - William Coles.

* Players' Player - Ryan Barkway.

* Player of the Year - Lloyd Roberts.

* Clubmen - Iestyn Cannan-Cooper and Liam Parsons.

Under 14s * Most Improved Player - Matthew Cuff.

* Players' Player - Daniel Price.

* Player of the Year - Jamie Kingston.

* Clubmen - Brett Parnell and Ieuan Cooper.

Under 16s * Most Improved Player - Robert Lawford.

* Players' Player - Luke Prosser.

* Player of the Year - Matthew Wood.

* Clubmen - J.J. Allen and Alex Bartlett.

Crusaders are happy to acknowledge 4 new sponsorship deals with local companies for the 2007/08 season these are: * Under 10s - Lewis & Co Accountants, Risca.

* Under 11s - Cwm Hafod Holiday Homes, Wattsville.

* Under 13s - (Home Kit) J&S Scaffolding, Cefn Fforest.

* Under 13s (Away Kit) - Anonymous. Promoting Cancer Research Cymru.

Training for next season has already started and if you are interested visit crusadersafc.com Crusaders - providing football for the community.

Coo-l news from pigeon club: The recent Newbury to Home race saw 17 members of the Pontllanfraith and Ynysddu Homing Society send birds.

Paul Warr-Townley was the winner with a time of 01:53:20.

Mark Tantrum took second and third place.

For anyone who wants to know more about the club, they meet every Tuesday and Friday evenings downstairs at the Progressive Club, in Ynysddu.

They are always ready to offer advice and welcome new members to the society.

Lower Sirhowy Valley Partnership (LSVP): The next meeting is be at the Ynysddu Hotel on Monday, July 16, at 6.30pm.

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

Friday - Karaoke at the Black Prince, Ynysddu.

Friday - The Pioneer, Cwmfelinfach Disco and Karaoke.

Friday - Free Juke Box all night at the Ynysddu Hotel.

Saturday - The Progressive Club live artist.

Sunday - The Black Prince, at 7pm, live artist and Karaoke Sunday - The Pioneer, Cwmfelinfach Quiz at 8pm. This will be followed by Karaoke Sunday - 3pm to 7.30pm at the Ynysddu Hotel Win a Gallon promotion.

Getting sociable with MP: Don Touhig MP was the guest speaker at the Cwmfelinfach Residents Association social evening.

After an introductory speech Mr Touhig then took questions from floor.

Topics discussed varied greatly - taking in recycling and the health service to the state of the Welsh Assembly.

It was a very informal friendly meeting and everyone said it was an excellent way to meet and get to know your MP.

As a special treat the residents and their guest were treated to a presentation from Tom Maloney, deputy head teacher at Cwmfelinfach Primary School, who showed two films made by the animation club Mr Maloney runs from the school.

Also, there was a fundraising collection for appeal by the steward of the Wattsville Jubilee Club, David Goodridge and his son Craig who are raising money for the charity Progress - Prostate Cancer Support Group.

A sum of £31 was collected at the meeting for this very worthwhile cause.