GWENT FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY: The next meeting of the Blackwood branch of the history society will take place on Tuesday, April 29, in the staff room of Blackwood comprehensive.

There will be a guest speaker - Mrs E Middleton - who will give a talk about life in the Valleys in the 17th century. All are welcome.

Members of the group will also be on hand at the help desk in Blackwood Library on Tuesday, May 13, from 10.3am to 12.30pm.

Another date to set in your diary will be a research night to be held on Tuesday May 20.

The event is due to start at 7pm and a warm welcome is assured for members wishing to access the family history resources.

This little group is going from strength to strength.

For more information visit the website gwentfhs.info Museum meeting: A museum which will document Caerphilly borough's history is asking for help to find volunteers who will make the exhibits come alive.

The new state-of-the-art building is being built in conjunction with Caerphilly County Borough Council's museums and heritage service and with Elliot Colliery Friends and Volunteers, who successfully secured £2.5 million to develop the colliery winding house in New Tredegar.

Opening in the summer of 2008, it will be the museum for Caerphilly county borough and will tell the often surprising history of the area, from its first inhabitants, to the present day and include new facilities and resources.

But they need a little help from friends and volunteers to succeed.

Volunteers are needed on a variety of teams, from front of house to the research or winding engine conservation teams in the brand new state of the art museum.

Volunteers will learn new skills and make new friends - whatever their interests there is something for them.

So why not go along to the open evening for free tea coffee and cakes on Wednesday, April 23, at 6.30pm at the White Rose Resource Centre to find how you can support your museum?

On the night people will get the chance to take advantage of Friends membership offers and the evening will include an exclusive preview of the sculpture commissioned to mark the opening of the new museum.

There will also be awards for their star Millennium Volunteers and an opportunity for people to find out about volunteering opportunities, as well as the chance to meet some of The Winding House Team and Friends.

The evening is free of charge. Please call 01443 822666 for more details or e-mail sidgwv@caerphilly.gov.uk