GWENT FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY: The Blackwood Branch of the Gwent Family History society extends a warm welcome to all to attend their meeting every fourthTuesday of the month at Blackwood Comprehensive School.

The meetings will be held in the staff room and will start at 7pm.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 29, and will be a research night.

If anyone would like more information, there will be a help desk in Blackwood Library on Tuesday, January 22, from 11am to 2pm.

The society can also be found on its website www.gwentfhs.info BLACKWOOD LITTLE THEATRE NEWS: Following on from the success of its 79th season and the Wales One Act Festival Final, Blackwood Little Theatre is gearing up to present its annual family pantomime - Jack and the Beanstalk.

The show, written by Graham J Evans and directed by Neil Maidman, will be performed on January 25, 26 and 27.

The show will be fun for all the family.

Tickets are available from 01495 223485 or online ( via a secure booking form) at the Little Theatre website, www.blackwoodlt.org.uk, or via Ticketsource at www.ticketsource.co.uk Organisers ask you to support Blackwood's only live theatre - they're good.