THANK YOU: The Community of Swffryd would like to say a great big Thank you' to Councillor Des Hughes and his brother-in-law Martin Assinder for such a fantastic display of Christmas lights that they portrayed on the Community Centre this year.

They have been doing this for a number of years for the benefit and enjoyment of the community, but this year they really excelled themselves, and the community wishes to show their appreciation.

Anyone visiting the Community Centre during the festive season would know that the interior of the Centre was also magnificently decorated.

Again by the sametwo gentlemen, but also with the help of theirtwo wives, Gloria and Valerie, to whom again we are extremely grateful.

We are so fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers at Swffryd. This also includes the committee of the Centre and other volunteers who provide sterling work to the community of Swffryd throughout the year. Many thanks and well done to all. Happy new year for 2008.

SIX BELLS TENANTS & RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION: The next meeting of the Tenants and Residents Association will take place on Monday, January 7, 2008 at Bethany Chapel.

We are constantly looking for new members to help us raise much needed funds. Please come along and join us and help us make Six Bells a better place to live.

MUSEUM NEWS: Abertillery and District Museum re-opens on January 8 after the Christmas break. The opening times are: Tuesday - Thursday, 10am-1pm and 2pm-4pm; Friday and Saturday, 10am-1pm.

The new year's events start on Saturday, January 12 with Coal House Coffee Morning with one of the producers of the series For more details, please ring the museum, on (01495) 211140.

MAKE YOUR VIEWS KNOWN: Blaenau Gwent Healthier Future Partnership, made up of Blaenau Gwent Local Health Board, Blaenau Gwent Local Borough Council and other local partners, is asking for views on their new strategy, Healthier Future II.

Healthier Future II is the second health, social care and wellbeing strategy for Blaenau Gwent - the first was published in 2005.

The Healthier Future Partnership recently launched a consultation to seek views from local people on their proposals.

The revised strategy again sets out their strong commitment to working together to improve the health of everyone living and working in Blaenau Gwent. Your views will be vital.

The partnership wants your comments, so that they can test their proposals for improving health, social care and well-being in Blaenau Gwent.

Their aim if to ensure as many local people as possible have an opportunity to comment on what we plan to do over the next three years.

The partnership would like your views by Friday, February 15. You can write to, email or telephone Sharon Harford at Blaenau Gwent Local Health Board.

If you would like a copy of the strategy, please contact Sharon Harford, Communications Manager at Blaenau Gwent Local Health Board, Anvil Court, Church Street, Abertillery, NP13 1DB. Telephone number (01495) 325427 or email Sharonharford@blaenau gwentlob.wales.nhs.uk BRYNITHEL YOUTH GROUP: A youth group from Brynithel have set out to raise the profile of the town and create their vision of a beautiful Brynithel'.

The group was set up nearly two years ago by youth club leaders Gill and Brian Hayward after they noticed young people had nothing to do in Brynithel.

Now, the group meets every two weeks and have taken massive steps towards their goal.

They have taken part in a clean-up operation around the area, created and sold key-rings to raise money for the youth club and arranged a fun day last August. They also hope to raise money to launch a youth club in India.

Mrs Hayward said, "The ideas have all come from the young people themselves. They are really keen on bringing Brynithel back to life."

Group member, Nicolette Thomas, said "People see Brynithel as a bit of a dump -we want to change that."

Nicolette said they had a lot of positive feedback about their incentives. She said: "We've had meetings with local councillors. They're chuffed to bits with what we've been doing."

The group decides between themselves how best to improve the area and said they all really enjoyed having a role to play within the community.

Another member, Claire Dobbs, said "We want to make it cleaner. Just a better place than it used to be really."