Many congratulations must go to Mike Parry of The Park, Blaenavon, for being honoured with an award from the Mayor of Torfaen, Councillor Bill King. Mike Parry was presented with his award recently at a reception at the Civic Centre, Pontypool. Mike received the honour in recognition of his many years of work at Blaenavon Workmen's Hall.

The Mayor's awards are an annual event and all elected members of Torfaen County Borough Council are invited to nominate someone from their ward to receive one for outstanding achievement or for services to the community based upon voluntary work. This is a well-established tradition in Torfaen and one which allows the Mayor to publicly recognise individuals who have made a real contribution to their community. This could be by achieving something special that makes friends and neighbours feel proud, someone who has overcome great adversity or someone who works tirelessly for the greater benefit of those around them.

The Mayor actually selects the recipients of the awards and takes pleasure in presenting them at a special evening which includes a buffet supper.

Torfaen County Borough councillor, Neil Lewis, nominated Mike Parry and Mike was delighted to have been chosen for an award.

Mike has been involved in helping out at the workmen's hall since 1956 when still a schoolboy. The chief projectionist at the Blaenavon Workmen's Hall Cinema was Charlie Ackland and Mike, along with a school friend, used to help him as projectionist's mates. Charlie Ackland was caretaker and projectionist and lived in the house adjoining the workmen's hall.

Mike enjoyed helping and earned 18 shillings for three night's work per week.

Schoolwork, a job, and courting his wife then took over his time and he took a break from his duties but he still loved the cinema.

Mike tells me that he even got engaged during a film upstairs in the workmen's hall cinema in one of the famous double seats.

Mike is married to Faye and has two children, Robert and Janis. He also has three grandchildren, Daniel, eight, George, five, and Holley, two, and two step-grandchildren in Australia.

Mike got involved in volunteering at the hall again in 1978, taking his son Robert, then aged 14, to help out with rewinding at the cinema (following in his footsteps).

Mike's role now is that of a technical advisor, organising stage lighting and sound, and stage management when needed.

He does an excellent job and works in a quiet, unassuming way but always a perfectionist who enjoys the challenge of each new show or concert, etc.

Mike is always readily available to offer his help to anyone who needs it and spends hours of his time voluntarily for the benefit of the hall despite family commitments.

This award was richly deserved.

Congratulations, Mike, long may you continue to be such a valuable committee member of Blaenavon Workmen's Hall.

BLAENAVON WORKMEN'S HALL: Work has just been completed on the refurbishment of Blaenavon Workmen's Hall. Torfaen County Borough Council secured funding from the Welsh Assembly's Heads of the Valleys Initiative and the interior of the workmen's hall has been redecorated and has a fresh new look.

The work had to be carried out quite quickly after funding was obtained and so the transformation has taken place in just six weeks.

The redecoration has been done very tastefully and all of the downstairs has had a fresh coat of paint and new carpets have been fitted. New upholstered bench seating has been installed around the ground floor bar area and wooden flooring laid. The cinema has had a facelift with new flooring and new soundproofing on the walls. The snooker room also has a new floor, half-carpeted and half-wooden flooring for the table tennis area.

The bench seating in the public room has been reupholstered and extra seating added which makes this a very comfortable room for meetings. There are new curtains, new lights, and the downstairs toilets have been completely refurbished. The upstairs foyer area has also been transformed and the bar area improved by the new light colour scheme. There is new stage equipment which will be very beneficial to future events/productions, and also outside work has been carried out to clear the guttering.

The workmen's hall is now open for business again and ready to show off its new look to the many people who pass through its doors.

The cinema is open from 6.30pm (on screen 7pm) from Monday to Thursday weekly.

The workmen's hall shop/bar area is open from 6.30pm to 10pm from Monday to Thursday weekly.

You can play snooker, table tennis, join an aerobics class, and there are always events being held in the hall, shows, concerts, dances, parties, public meetings, etc. For full details you can ring 01495 792661.

Mrs Shirley Learoyd, a very committed member of the workmen's hall committee is always willing to give help or advice about any bookings or functions. Shirley, who describes herself as part of the workmen's hall furniture, is very pleased with all the improved facilities and especially the new CCTV system throughout.

Do go along and support events in this wonderful workmen's institute and see for yourself all the excellent amenities at our workmen's hall.