Islwyn Acoustic Guitar Club: On Friday, August 22, at 7.30pm the Islwyn Acoustic Guitar Club welcomes the excellent Irish American nu-folk singer-songwriter Pamela Wyn Shannon back to the Crosskeys Hotel at Crosskeys.

Pamela Wyn Shannon has attracted attention with her mesmerising alternative Celtic folk-style music, her inventive guitar work, her evocative and poetic imagery, and her passionate vocal range.

Her guitar playing has been described as a tiny chamber orchestra working in unison at the end of her hands'.

Her music is charged with the driving rhythms of modal Celtic guitar and reeling fiddle, capturing a wandering spirit with gypsy melodies and eastern rhythms.

Pamela Wyn Shannon is a genuine musical talent.

She performed at both the Green Man Festival and Pontardawe International Festival last year and has been invited back this year for a second time.

She has a growing following across the UK and North America.

She is a passionate vocalist who through her potent lyrics, sets out to forge the energy of nature to human emotions.

Written with an open heart and mind, they are maturing poems and tales sung with a voice of emotional range both tender and bold, grounded by her lattice like intricate guitar work.

The evening commences at 7.30pm with an open mic session featuring contributions from members and visitors.

A half hour support slot follows this from excellent new Celtic folk trio The Shogue. The concert with Pamela Wyn Shannon starts at about 9pm.

Tickets cost £6 (£5 members) and are available now from the organiser from 01495 270078.

For further details, call club secretary, Rob Southall on 01495 270078 or e-mail islwynacoustic@fsmail.net Walk your way to health: The following walks will be led by the Local Health Board around the Newport area: * Melbourne Way Glassworks on Thursday, August 21, at 11.30am.

A walk from the junction of Melbourne Way and Glasllwch Road (Crescent) into the Glasllwch area including park and woods. Meet at the junction of Glasllwch Road (Crescent) and Melbourne Way.

* Coronation Park on Monday, August 25, at 11.30am.

A walk over the Transporter Bridge into Coronation Park for a short grassy walk then back over the bridge into the visitors centre. Meet at the Transporter Bridge, Usk Way, Pillgwenlly side.

* Sirhowy Valley Walk and Ebbw River on Thursday, August 28.

A beautiful scenic walk following the Sirhowy Valley walk, taking in the River Ebbw.

This is a strenuous walk taking in some steep slopes, narrow gaps and steps and it is not recommended for less experienced/less able participants.

Meet at Rogerstone Welfare and Tydu Community Hall, Tregwilym Road.

Risca Carnival and Fete: The Risca carnival and fete is on August Bank Holiday Sunday (August 24).

It leaves Tan-Y-Bryn at 1pm and it will reach the fete at Risca Park, Tradegar Street for the fete at 1.30pm.

The event is led by the Carnival Queen and her Court and is hosted by Red Dragon FM radio station.

Gifts for Crosskeys RFC: Crosskeys Rugby Club is enriched by gifts from the families of former stalwarts.

Firstly, Gerry Lewis expressed a wish that on his death, a plate presented to him by the Welsh Rugby Union at Murrayfield on February 19, 1983, on the occasion of his 100th appearance as the welsh team physiotherapist should be given to his first club, where he followed in his father's footsteps.

His wife, Valerie has generously out his wish to the delight of Crosskeys Rugby Club committee and supporters.

Secondly Gillian, the second daughter of the great forward Ken Salmon, has also generously donated to the club the medal her father won with Gloucestershire on winning the Rugby Union County Championship in 1930/31.

Ken Salmon has a unique record with Crosskeys RFC in that he is the only player to have captained the side for five consecutive seasons, played for both Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire, played in Welsh trials although being a proud native of the Forest of Dean.

Time for tea and tunes: Bethany Baptist Church invites you to an afternoon tea and songs of praise on Wednesday, August 20, from 3pm to 5pm,everyone is welcome.

Ring Linda on 615848 to book your tea and if you need any special diet, or if you need a lift to get there.

Also, Bethany Church is planning to run a creative machine sewing workshop.

You can bring your own machine and lunch. The event is on Tuesday September 2, from 10.30am to 4pm.but booking is necessary as the spaces are limited. The admission is £5.

Contact Linda on 615848 to book a place. Proceeds go to local charity.

Risca and District Ladies Guild: Members of the Ladies Guild were pleased to welcome back Mr A Badminton who gave a talk entitled Mind Your Language.

He had previously spoken of his handicap of stuttering, which had somewhat limited his life until he turned his life around with the help of a revolutionary speech course.

Mr Badminton has travelled the USA extensively and given presentations in many cities discussing and debating the problems he has encountered.

It became apparent to him the languages of Britain and the USA were unique to each country.

His talk at the August meeting highlighted the differences and how phrases and words may have a totally opposite meaning, which may cause amusement or embarrassment.

He gave a wide range of words to illustrate the point.

It was interesting to note the original settlers of America took with them and retained certain words and phrases which are no longer used in this country.

In the last 80 years or so influences from films, TV and the internet have played an enormous part in bringing into use shared terminology.

The members appreciated his interesting and informative talk and Kathleen Ransome gave a vote of thanks on behalf of the guild.

Moriah Baptist Church Mission: On Tuesday, September 9, at Channel View Community Centre, we will be holding a coffee/ tea and biscuits morning for anyone who comes in.

The event starts at 10.30am and closes at 12pm and organisers say all who enter are sure to enjoy a chat, friendship, a laugh and a thought for the day.

From September 9 we will be open every Tuesday morning, and all are welcome to drop in.

Islwyn Ramblers Walks: Islwyn Ramblers have organised the following programme of walks.

On Saturday, August 23, anyone interested should meet at Crosskeys Railway Station at 9.10am for a circular walk around Hafod Tudor Valley, Mynydd Islwyn and Sirhowy Country Valley Park.

It is ten miles long and of moderate difficulty.

On Wednesday, August 27, meet at West End Abercarn Car Park at 6.30pm for a walk round Mynydd Islwyn.

Contact Maggie Thomas on 01495 273057 for more information about both walks.

Crosskeys Community Group: The group is based at St Catherine's Church, Gladstone Street, Crosskeys.

Tea, coffee, toast and marmalade is served every Tuesday from 10am to 12pm. It costs £1 per person.

Bingo sessions are held every Tuesday afternoon. Doors open 2pm for a 2.30pm start. Admission is £1 and the raffle is £1.

Organisers say do come along and have some fun and possibly win some cash.

There is a weekly bring and buy stall, books, bric-a-brac and plants are for sale.

Crosskeys is blooming ace: In Caerphilly in Bloom Competition 2008 Waunfawr Primary School/Forest School was awarded first prize, Waunfawr Road was awarded 2nd prize in the best street category and the community garden at St Catherine's Church, Gladstone Street was awarded 3rd prize in High Street Premises Category and congratulations for the Crosskeys Silver Band which won the Eisteddfod.

3:28pm Friday 15th August 2008

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