Libraries across Wales will be coming alive this October and putting on a show for everyone to see as they promote Libraries Week 2017 from 9^th – 14^th October.  

Libraries Week is the annual showcase of all the creative, innovative and diverse activities that libraries have to offer and this year people are being encouraged to visit their local library and discover the various activities they have to offer including free computer usage, online resources and even a space to relax with a coffee.

Across our six libraries in Blaenau Gwent we will have a busy programme of events for people of all ages and interests throughout Libraries Week, ranging from free digital sessions and surgeries to local history workshops, crafts activities and a special Winnie the Pooh Dementia Friendly Day at Blaina Library.

We will also be promoting our range of free online resources such as e-books, magazines and comics, all of which can be accessed through your library membership.

One of the supporters of Libraries Week is award winning author Giancarlo Gemin who will be delivering school workshops in Blaenau Gwent and Cardiff libraries, discussing his Valleys based book, Sweet Pizza: “I think libraries are wonderful locations and often undervalued. There are so many activities organised by libraries throughout the year but Libraries Week is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on what they have to offer. This year’s theme is “Discover Something New” and I would encourage anyone to pop along to their local library and I guarantee you will find something you never knew was offered within its walls.” 

Abertillery Library

Tuesday 10^th October
·         Work Club 9.30am - 12.00pm
·         Shelter Cymru drop in session 9.30am -12pm
·         Citizens Advice drop in 2pm - 4.30pm

Wednesday 11^th October
·         Work Club 9.30am – 12pm & 2pm – 4pm
·         Stop Smoking Wales 9.30am - 12.30pm

Thursday 12^th October
·         Work Club 9.30am – 12pm & 2pm – 4pm
·         Family History Research 9.30am - 11.30am

Friday 13^th October
·         Alun Davies AM Surgery 11am – 12pm

Call us on 01495 355646 for more information

Blaina Library

Monday 9^th October
·         Police Surgery 2pm - 3pm
·         Digital Drop In Session with Age Cymru 10am - 1pm
·         Local History Research Open Day 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 5.30pm

Thursday 12^th October
·         Language Lambs - Under 5's French Storytime and Activity 10am - 11.30
·         Knit and Natter 1pm - 3pm
·         Getting Started Job Club 10am - 1pm

Friday 13^th October
·         Aberystruth Historical Society Archaeology Open Day 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 5.30pm
·         Welsh For Beginners 3.30pm - 5pm
·         'Winnie the Pooh Dementia Friendly Day' - Come and celebrate with tea and honey, - activities and reminiscence on the theme of Winnie the Pooh
·         Health Checks 2pm - 3pm

Call us on 01495 290312 for more information

Brynmawr Library

Tuesday 10^th October
·         Workclub with 'Getting Started Project' 10am - 12.30pm

Wednesday 11^th October
·         Workclub with Bridges into Work 10am - 12.30pm

Thursday 12^th October
·         Communties4work 2pm - 4pm

Friday 13^th October
·         Digital Drop-in (learn how to access e-books and other on-line resources) 10am - 12.30pm

Call us on 01495 357743 for more information

Cwm Library

Wednesday 11^th October
·         Computers Don't Bite 1pm - 3pm

Friday 13^th October
·         Jobclub 10am - 12pm
·         Local History Research Session 2pm - 4pm

Call us on 01495 370454 for more information

Ebbw Vale Library

Monday 9^th October
·         Get Blaenau Gwent On-line 9.30am - 1pm and 1.30pm - 4.30pm

Tuesday 10^th October
·         Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Drop-in Session 2pm - 4pm
·         Communities First Work Club 10am - 12pm
·         U3A Reading Group 10.30am - 11.30am
·         Ebbw Vale Library Reading Group 2.30pm - 3.30pm
·         Digital Drop-in (Saving money-online and financial literacy) 10.30am - 2.30pm

Thursday 12^th October
·         Toddler Group 11am - 12pm

Friday 13^th October
·         Knit and Natter 10am - 12pm
·         Bridges Into Work Job Club 10am - 12pm
·         Blaenau Gwent Effect Business Support Drop-in Session 10am - 12pm
·         Get Blaenau Gwent On-line 9.30am - 12pm

Call us on 01495 355055 for more information

Tredegar Library

Monday 9^th October
·         Job Club with Getting Started Project 10am - 12pm
·         Computer Class 10am - 12pm and 1pm - 3pm
·         Improve your English Skills Class 9.30am - 11.30am
·         Improve your Maths 12pm - 2pm
·         Decoupage Art Class 2pm - 4pm
·         Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Drop-in 10am - 12pm

Tuesday 10^th October
·         Job Club with Communities First 10am - 12pm
·         Singalong with Goldies Cymru 12pm - 1pm (£2.00 per session)
·         Gentle Exercise Class 12.45pm - 1.45pm (£3.00 per session)
·         Get Blaenau Gwent On-line 2pm - 4pm

Wednesday 11^th October
·         Job Club with Communities First 10am -12pm
·         Knit and Natter 10.30am - 12.30pm
·         Baby Massage 10am - 11am
·         Computer Class 10-12pm
·         Local History Archive Group 2pm - 4pm
·         Parchment Craft 2pm - 4pm

Friday 13^th October
·         World War 1 Research Group 10am - 1pm

Call us on 01495 357869 for more information

This summer has seen some very important changes to the ecosystem at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar, as staff have worked with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council’s Biodiversity team on a variety of projects designed to improve the park’s biodiversity, the latest phase of which is designed to help the country’s declining bee populations.

Over the last couple of months, two top-bar bee hives have been installed on one of the islands at the centre of Parc Bryn Bach’s 36 acre freshwater lake, to help increase the number of pollinators.  Top bar hives are a more natural and sustainable way of bee keeping, allowing the bees to build their combs natural within the hive.  

Grounds staff from Parc Bryn Bach first began their preparation for the project in April 2017, receiving training and learning about sustainable top bar hive bee keeping and the importance of pollinators at an allotment in Abertillery.

A bee colony was then purchased from a bee keeper in Abergavenny and the bees were installed into their new home at the end of June 2017.  We’re happy to report that the bees are currently building comb, raising brood and storing honey to see them through the winter.

Contact has also been made with other local bee keepers within Blaenau Gwent which will help to locate and catch wild swarms to install into the second hive.  At the beginning of August, a swarm that had previously made its home in a compost bin on an allotment in Cwmtillery, was successfully removed and rehomed in the second hive at Parc Bryn Bach.

The ongoing biodiversity project at Parc Bryn Bach has been funded by the Postcode Lottery, and has also included the installation of a variety of bird and bat boxes throughout the park, the planting of native tree species and sowing of wildflower mixes which will create vital foraging opportunities for the new bee colonies.

Anthony Hughes, Managing Director of Aneurin Leisure, the charitable Trust that manages Parc Bryn Bach said; “We’re very grateful to the Biodiversity Team at Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and the local community of bee keepers for all the help and support they’ve given us to make these improvements, which we hope will enhance the biodiversity and sustainability at the park for years to come.  We’d also like to thank Groundwork Wales for their invaluable support and the Postcode Lottery for their funding which has made all this possible.”

Nadine Morgan, Biodiversity Officer for Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council added: “It’s been a fantastic opportunity to work with all the staff at Parc Bryn Bach to be able to install bee hives on the island. Our main aim is to help increase the number of pollinators which is vital for biodiversity and to create a sustainable future.  We endeavour to protect and enhance the natural environment not only for biodiversity but also for future generations to enjoy.”

Aneurin Leisure’s Adult Community Learning is celebrating record success this year in their GCSE English and Maths results. 

In a record year, 100% of learners achieved grades A - D in their English GCSE, 100% of learners achieved grades A - C in their Maths Higher Level GCSE, and 100% achieved grades A - D in their Maths Intermediate Level GCSE.

These amazing results illustrate how learners of all ages can have a second chance to improve their qualifications by accessing GCSE English and Maths courses at their local Learning Action Centres in Blaenau Gwent, enabling them to achieve their ambitions and improve their future career prospects.

Many of the learners collected their results from Ebbw Vale Learning Action Centre early on Thursday 24^th August including the two learners pictured above; Euan Knowles, aged 20 from Brynmawr who achieved an A in English and a B in Maths and Kimberley Badham, aged 22 from Tredegar, who achieved a B in Maths.

Euan Knowles, said of his results; “I couldn’t be happier with my results, massive thanks to my tutors Clare and Ian for all their support.”

Ceri Waters Partnerships, Funding and Contracts Manager at Aneurin Leisure said:  “Huge congratulations to all our learners and their tutors on these excellent results.  The commitment from the learners this year has been tremendous, with many attending evening classes whilst in full-time employment.  We are extremely proud of all our learners and wish them every success for the future.”

If you would like more information on the new range of courses available this September in Adult Community Learning, please visit http://aneurinleisure.org.uk/explore/community-education  or telephone 01495 355300.

Here are our Summer Bank Holiday opening times for all our Aneurin Leisure Venues:

All our venues will be open as normal from Tuesday 29^th August 2017

For more information contact:

Abertillery Sports Centre: 01495 357779                 Bedwellty House & Park: 01495 353379

Ebbw Vale Sports Centre: 01495 357777                 Parc Bryn Bach: 01495 355920

Tredegar Sports Centre: 01495 353395