SET in one of Wales' beautiful parks, Pontypool Museum is located in the Georgian stable block of Pontypool Park House, the former home of the Hanbury family, which dates back to the 18th century.

The museum's changing exhibitions and audiovisual presentations combine vividly to tell the story of the people, industry and culture of the Torfaen Valley, and Pontypool in particular.

The central courtyard of the museum is also covered to provide an all- weather picnic area and venue for special events.

Temporary exhibitions and other events are also housed at the museum, and a new exhibition entitled Celebrations is presently on display until April 18.

Constructed from re-hashed materials, the exhibition in the Barker Gallery at the museum is the stunning result of using old clothes and unwanted materials and coming up with a colourful collection of rag-rugs.

Textile artist Jane Dorsett said: "The exhibition was put together by a combination of work from people all over England and Wales. Celebrations is about joining together to bring our own ideas to the work. We use old-fashioned techniques our grandparents used to use, and add colours to bring them up to date.

"Making rag-rugs is fairly simple but can be time consuming. You start by cutting old material into long and short strips, known as hooky and proggy. Basically, it's a loop pile on a hessian background.

"But the green aspect in ragwork is very important. We get a tremendous feeling of satisfaction. And as 2004 is the year of re-cycling we feel we're contributing to the cause."

A special workshop/ demonstration will be held on March 1, places for which must be booked in advance.

Other facilities include:

* Workshops and activities for school groups.

* Dobell-Mosely library.

* Archive for study and research.

* Monthly cafe art.

* Rooms to hire for meetings, conferences and seminars.

* Cafe and shop offering a range of local and special interest books, crafts and cards.