Chance to pay tribute

Chris was born at Cwmcarn in March 1933 and sadly died at this home in Spain in July 2006 at the age of 73 years old.

He attended Pontywaun Grammar School from 1945 to 1949 when he joined the Civil Service and was posted to the War Office, in Whitehall.

He was transferred to the Post Office Factories Department in Cwmcarn where he worked for six years in the 1950s until he sat the open examination for officer of customs, working mostly in South Wales and the borders collection.

It would please the family of Chris greatly if his former friends would be able to attend the service.

The information was passed to me by Grosvenor Thomas, ex Cross Keys, who can be contacted on grosvenorthomas@aol.com Time for a cuppa: A ladies coffee and croissants meeting will be held at Moriah Baptist Church, Risca, on Saturday, January 19, from 10am.

A warm welcome awaits you with coffee, conversation and a guest speaker - Andrew Parry, paediatric heart surgeon at Bristol Children's Hospital, contact Sally on 01633 266585 for information.

Cross Keys Community Group: The tea/coffee/marmalade mornings resumed on Tuesday, January 8, from 10.30am-12pm, so do come along on forthcoming Tuesdays, have a chat - a warm welcome is extended to all.

Also, every Tuesday afternoon bingo sessions are held commencing at 2.30pm. Doors open at 2pm.

Admission is £1 and so is the raffle plus a snowball prize with refreshments in the break.

For further information please contact Rebecca on 07900 516381 or Lynne on 01495 271947.

Miners remembered: A copy of a letter from J Rowley of Withycombe, Minehead, in Somerset, was received by Mr E Beecham, Windsor Avenue, Newbridge and addressed to Newbridge Labour Party...

Dear Friends, During the miner's strike in the 80s, my wife and self, plus the Bridgewater Support Group had the privilege of being able to help in several ways in the miners struggle.

We also took part in marches in various places such as Swansea in west Wales and the Mansfield in the north of England.

I shall never forget the magic times as having as many as 15 South Wales lads in our home at Bridgewater.

The miners were out at Hinckley Point Power Station. I wish to God we could have done more.

After the strike, many of the support teams were invited to Newbridge for a concert evening.

The welcome we had was very moving. I am feeling the same now.

The Welsh people are a very special breed - Paul Robeson knew that when he was in touch with all the people of the valleys long ago.

Anyway you can still play a bit of rugby. I must say this, I have a framed letter from the Welsh Miners Union just after the strike thanking me for looking after the lads - this I shall always keep.

I also watch regularly the video, Brassed Off, that says it all again.

Cheerio again.

J Rowley.

Also included in the letter was a Christmas card sending Christmas wishes to all.

Bethany Baptist Church, Risca: The church would like to invite people who live alone or those who need help to get about to afternoon tea and songs of praise on Friday, January 25, from 3pm-5pm.

Contact Linda on 01633 615848, to confirm attendance, your favourite hymn and if you require any special diet or help with transport. We will be delighted to see you.

Now the Christmas festivities are over, do you want to start losing those unwanted pounds?

There is a new course starting this month, Fit4lifeForever. It is a 12-week Christian-based weight loss programme, not a diet.

For more information call the parish nurse 01633 615848.

A gentle over 50s exercise class is held on Mondays from 7pm-8pm.

The craft class starts back on Tuesday, January 15, from 1pm to 3pm. If you like making things and learning new things, this class is for you. All are welcome.

Are you looking after someone who is sick or disabled and would like to meet people who are caring like you are? Bethany Church carers' support group meets every Wednesday from 1.30pm to 2.30pm.

Come along and have a chat and a cup of tea, take some time out for yourself.

The group occasionally meets up with other local carer's group for a day out and can help provide a sitter.

Starting soon is Exploring Christianity. If you want to find out more about the Christian faith or brush up on the basics, then come along and find out more.

The church plans to run small, informal courses at a time and place to suit as many people as possible.

It will arrange a taster session you are welcome to attend, without any obligation.

For more details call the church on 01633 619163.

The church has tea and coffee mornings on Fridays from 10.30am-12pm, where you can also buy fruit and vegetables from the food co-op as well as Christian greeting cards, books and gifts.

You can get your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar tested at the TLC Coffee Shop, Elm Drive, Ty Sign on the first Monday of every month from 10am-1pm and during coffee mornings in church on the third Friday of every month. No appointments necessary.

The Really Cuckoo Company: Come to St Mary's Church Hall, Risca, for all sorts of traditional panto fun with the Really Cuckoo Company, your local amateur dramatics group.

With pirates, skeletons, courting couples, a talking dog and a dead parrot, it can only be Treasure Island - and all on your doorstep.

There will be something for everyone from Friday, February 1, through to Sunday February 3, evening performances are on Friday and Saturday, from 7.15pm and a matinee on the Sunday from 3.15pm.

Tickets cost £5 and are available by calling 01633 612171, from Cuckoo Club members or at Friday evening rehearsals.

To anyone who has never attended one of the productions, now is your opportunity to do so.

I Look Out of my Window and What Do I See? This is a poem written by a girl called Emma Butler. She is 11-years-old.

She is the granddaughter of Don Wilton who lives in Gelli Crescent, Risca.

Emma now lives in Burghfield Common, near Reading in Berkshire. This is the poem: I look out of my window and what do I see?

Boy racers whizzing down the street Bobbies giving out ASBOs while on the beat Kids and loud music and Game Boys in the park Teenagers eating burgers and having a lark.

I wonder what happened to make the world this way?

Was it the hi-tech gadgets or was it the food?

Was it a hoodie or just a cool dude?

All this effects how we use our time Just what happened to looking after the wood and the pine?

Will it ever go back to the way it was before now?

Should we always be opening that new door?

To get away from vandalism or breaking the law Away from hi-tech gadgets or cars And away from junk food and chocolate bars.

I look out of my window and what do I see?

A great generation that belongs to you and me We do have iPods, MP3s and we do try to look after the trees I think the 21st century is the best For all youths living in North, South, East or West.

The Risca Posada Flock go to Africa: The Christmas Eve Posada Crib Service at St Catherine's Church, Cross Keys, was very successful.

More than 100 people came to this new service, from babes in arms to grandparents.

The First St Catherine's Brownie pack arrived with the Posada nativity figures at 6pm and the service began. During the service children and adults were invited to come and place a sheep in Baby Jesus' crib.

The Lord Bishop of Monmouth, Dominic Walker, OGS, gave the Christmas blessing at the end of service. Then everyone enjoyed mulled wine, mince pies, and other refreshments.

The service was a tremendous success for the Parish of Risca, the Brownies and the community of Cross Keys.

The nativity figures and the sheep are now safely packed away until next December.

Over the last 11 months, many people from the parish had knitted sheep for the Posada Service.

This made it seem only fitting, to give the collection from the event to provide sheep for a community in Senegal under a World Vision scheme to help people out of poverty.

The collection taken at the service, plus parishioners' donations paid for six sheep in Senegal.