OOH, YOU ARE RUDE!: Delightfully Rude' is the unusual title of an event being held at Blaenavon Library, in Lion Street, Blaenavon, on Wednesday, February 6.

Terry Victor will be giving an authoritative talk on slang, when he takes a look at how the dictionary was born, through the eyes of a slang lexicographer.

Terry is a colourful character, a writer, entertainer and director, who has lived in Wales for over twenty years.

He has appeared on television, broadcast on BBC Radio Wales, is Radio 5 Live's slang expert, and also appeared on Old Time Music Hall, and is an experienced master of ceremonies.

Delightfully Rude' will be humourous and very entertaining, but is suitable for adults only.

The tickets are available from Blaenavon Library and cost £4 (£3 for concessions), and the event starts at 7.30pm.

Teas and coffees will be available, and any further information can be obtained by telephoning 01495 791637.

SURPRISE, SURPRISE!: One of radio personality Chris Needs' biggest fans in Blaenavon received a lovely surprise recently, when he turned up unexpectedly on her doorstep to pay her a visit.

Chris was signing copies of his autobiography in Browning Books, when he was asked to sign a copy especially for Mrs Mary Tovey, of Waun Street, Blaenavon.

Her friend, Angela Lewis, explained to Chris that she was buying the book on behalf of Mrs Tovey's daughter, who was giving it to her mother as a Christmas present.

She explained that Mrs Tovey has mobility problems, and can't go out very much, but was a huge fan of his radio show.

Mrs Tovey listens to his programme every night, and is in the garden' - Fans of the show will know what that means.

Without hesitation, Chris said that he would like to visit Mary, so he walked up to Waun Street with Angela and gave Mrs Tovey a surprise, surprise!' moment when she opened the door.

Mrs Tovey was thrilled by Chris Needs' kind gesture and even more surprised when he announced on his next show that he had enjoyed visiting Blaenavon, and, in particular, Dame Mary Tovey, of Waun Street, who is now in his royal garden'.

BARNARDO'S SANTA APPEAL 2007: Back in October, I wrote about the Barnardo's appeal, and how Angela and Tony Evans of Capel Newydd, Blaenavon, were again helping to collect Christmas presents for Barnardo's children.

Well, it was a fantastic effort once again, and Angela has asked me to thank everybody who helped in any way.

A record-breaking 1,175 presents were donated, which gave great pleasure to many children in the Barnardo's family.

Angela wishes to thank everyone who bought presents, donated money, or helped with collections.

Thanks also to Gemma Powell, at Customer Care Torfaen county borough council also local businesses, and, of course, her family.

A special thanks also to Red Dragon Archery Club, who raised £5,000 for the appeal.

TELEPHONE TALE: The January weather has been dreadful so far; rain, rain and more rain and also wind.

Due to the poor weather conditions, the telephone at our shop has been a bit temperamental, and it made me think of how much we all rely on telephones these days, for business and for pleasure.

It was not always so, and I had to smile at a true tale I was told about a Midlands butcher, who decided to have a telephone installed in his shop during the 1940s in the War years.

The butcher paid the initial deposit to the Post Office and was told not to expect the installation for some time, owing to work of a national importance, coupled with shortages of staff.

He was not to grumble, but if he thought the time taken was too long, then to give them a gentle reminder.

Several weeks passed, and he decided to do just that.

Picking up paper and pen, he wrote: PO Reference', then Hymn AM 215, verse 3, line 6'.

He despatched this to the PO Telephone Department, and to his amazement received the following reply: Reference No', Hymn A M, 332, verse 2, line 1'.

Note: The line to which the butcher referred to was: Their cry went up. How long!' The line sent in reply by the Postal Telephone Department was: We do not know, we cannot tell'.

MESSAGE TO BLAENAVON ORGANISATIONS: I would love to include details of your events, meetings, outings, stories of interest, photographs, or anything you think Grassroots readers might enjoy.

Please do contact me by telephone, or drop any written details into our shop at 25 Broad Street, Blaenavon.

I look forward to reporting all your news during 2008.