Dragons Community are encouraging future players to join them during an action-packed May half-term - with a variety of Skills Camps taking place at Rodney Parade and on the road at Abertillery RFC The camps are in association with Skills Camp partner Tata Steel and headline community partner Centreprise International and Sport Caerphilly May 28 we will be holding several camps at Rodney Parade Our Tag/Contact Camp takes place on Tuesday The Tag Camp is for Under 7 and Under 8 Pathway and includes: May 27 is for Under 9 and Under 11 Pathway and includes: The Standard Package for both camps runs between 9.30am and 1.30pm and is £25. To book CLICK HERE The Platinum Package has an early drop off at 8am and late pick-up at 3pm, plus a stadium tour, and costs £45. To book CLICK HERE May 28 we are running an Advanced Development Camp between 9.30am and 1.30pm for 12 to 15-year-olds at Rodney Parade You get all this for just £45. To book CLICK HERE May 29 we are running a Tag/Contact Camp at Abertillery RFC with the same components as the camp two days earlier at Rodney Parade To book on the Abertillery Camp for just £25 click HERE Blaenau Gwent in the north Gwent valleys includes the towns of Ebbw Vale, Abertillery, Brynmawr, Tredegar, Nantyglo and Blaina. It was the home county of Aneurin Bevan, who was born in Tredegar, and the town’s Tredegar Medical Aid Society was considered a forerunner to the NHS. You can have your say on stories by signing in here. Wales’ largest renewable energy generator has submitted plans to build a six-turbine wind farm with the potential to generate power equivalent to the needs of approximately 50,000 homes on a site around 10 miles north of Newport RWE’s proposed Abertillery Wind Farm has a planned capacity of approximately 36 MW with each turbine having a maximum tip height of up to 200m If approved it will be located between Abertillery and Abersychan straddling the local authority boundaries of Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen County Borough Councils This submission follows extensive consultation with current land users local authorities and both statutory consultees and non-statutory stakeholders with detailed assessments made of the local ecosystem and wildlife noise and other environmental considerations Alongside any future community benefit package RWE has also been discussing proposals for part shared ownership with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council RWE’s Project Manager leading on the development “This submission is the latest milestone in a project which began in 2020 and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed by taking the time to attend our community events and share their thoughts on the proposals “Going back to the very first site assessments our scheme is now informed by years of environmental surveys as well as the valuable feedback received during our two consultation periods the Abertillery Wind Farm and its associated community package will directly benefit the community support local businesses and supply chains supporting Wales’ ambition of meeting 100 per cent of our electricity consumption from renewables by 2035.” Corporate Director of Regeneration and Community Services for Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council said: “This is an exciting opportunity for the council which not only supports our priority to respond to the nature and climate crisis but the commercial investment offers an opportunity to deliver wider benefits which will support communities in Blaenau Gwent to thrive.” The planning application will be considered by Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) with a final decision by the Welsh Ministers anticipated in 2025 As the proposed site is almost entirely on registered common land within the Gwastad and Coity and Mynydd James Mountains Common, RWE is also submitting applications for separate consents from the Welsh Ministers to develop on common land. For further information, please visit here. and highly targeted distribution networks offers our clients a proven strategically connected one-stop-shop solution for all regions and business sectors in Wales and beyond Broadway Off-Broadway Off-Off Broadway Cabaret Dance Opera Classical Music Nashville Minneapolis / St. Paul Connecticut Atlanta Chicago Los Angeles WEST END UK Regional Canada Australia / New Zealand Europe Asia Latin America Africa / Middle East TV/Movies Music This will be their only date in Wales on their headline 2025 UK and European tour British band Wille And The Bandits have announced that they will perform a headline set on Friday 16th May 2025 at Abertillery Rock & Blues Festival 2025 in Abertillery The evening will be celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Abertillery Rock & Blues Festival and takes place on Friday 16th May 2025 at The Met Richard Hughes the registered charity which runs the Met in partnership with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council “We are delighted to be hosting the Abertillery Rock and Blues Festival in 2025 It's great to be joined by the critically acclaimed Wille and the Bandits for the opening night; their only gig in Wales no less Whether you are a regular Abertillery festival-goer or this will be your first time joining us The team at the Met and the Rock and Blues Festival committee have collectively organised a fantastic line-up of high quality live musicians to perform over the weekend The Festival always has a welcoming family-friendly atmosphere too.” the band enthuses: “We're hitting the road this May for an incredible UK Tour bringing our electrifying live show to venues across the country we're crafting a set that promises to be unforgettable Wille and the Bandits: From Busking to Global Acclaim Wille and the Bandits' rise to success is a story of determination From Wille's humble beginnings as a busker in Australia Wille and his band have worked tirelessly to establish themselves as one of the UK's premier live acts Their unique blend of masterful guitar work and compelling songwriting has earned them international recognition and critical acclaim Renowned for their electrifying live performances Wille and the Bandits have played festivals and venues across the globe—from Broadway to the West End Their talent has not gone unnoticed; they were selected to perform at the London Olympics after being voted one of the UK's best live acts listed among BBC Radio 1's Top Ten Must-See Bands at Glastonbury and personally invited to appear on the esteemed German TV show Having toured with rock legends such as Joe Bonamassa, Status Quo, Beth Hart Wille and the Bandits have earned the respect and admiration of industry icons Their innovative approach to blues rock pushes the boundaries of the genre Their dedication and creativity continue to shape their reputation as one of the most exciting and respected acts in the industry With a rapidly growing international fanbase and a reputation for delivering unforgettable live shows Wille and the Bandits remain at the forefront of contemporary blues rock As they continue to evolve and inspire a new generation of musicians their journey from street performances to global stages stands as a testament to their passion and artistry Wille Edwards - Lead Vocals | Lap Steel guitar | Guitars Stevie Watts - Hammond Organ | Electric Piano and Backing vocals Special guests for the Friday 16th May 2025 will be Xander And The Peace Pirates For more information on them please visit: https://www.xanderandthepeacepirates.com/  Wille and the Bandits have become a force to be reckoned with in the global rock music scene, praised by critics and rock legends alike for their electrifying performances and innovative sound. Drawing comparisons to the likes of Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd the band seamlessly moves between thunderous Their dynamic use of string arrangements, oscillating delays, and the soaring lap steel guitar solos give their music a cinematic depth. At the same time, their rhythmic groove and impassioned vocal phrasing evoke the spirit of the John Butler Trio creating a genre-blurring experience that leaves audiences spellbound Emerging from humble beginnings in Cornwall the band chose to remain grounded in their rural roots drawing inspiration from the region's rolling hills and rugged coastline This connection to their home instills their music with a sense of escapism and rebellious spirit echoing the independent ethos Cornwall has been known for through the centuries While many bands relocate to urban hubs in pursuit of the music industry Wille and the Bandits have flipped the script—staying true to their roots and finding the industry chasing them instead This authenticity has resonated with fans and critics alike helping them build a fiercely loyal following around the world Their commitment to crafting a fresh approach to blues rock has earned them recognition as one of the most compelling live acts on the circuit today Wille and the Bandits continue to capture the imagination of audiences with their genre-defying sound and magnetic stage presence Whether delivering a raucous rock anthem or an introspective acoustic ballad the band's ability to connect emotionally with their listeners sets them apart Wille and the Bandits remain at the forefront of modern blues rock a testament to their uncompromising artistry and relentless drive Tickets are onsale now at https://www.willeandthebandits.com/   The 2025 UK Headline Tour will visit the following location: Friday 16th May 2025 – Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Abertillery Rock & Blues Festival Xander and The Peace Pirates – 7pmHeadliner: Wille and the Bandits – 9pm Event Page: https://awenboxoffice.com/whats-on/abertillery-rock-n-blues-festival-2025-friday-night/  Ticket Booking Link: https://awenboxoffice.com/book/?event=509601  This May, the University of East London's (UEL) Dance students will take over the stage for COLL!DE Festival - a five-day explosion of performance and professional ambition. A new UK Tour of the Wiltshire Creative Production of The Girl on the Train is coming to Milton Keynes Theatre this June. Learn more about the show here! Ed Coleman (I AM HANNAH, C4), Mara Allen (MACBETH, Shakespeare's Globe) and Ashlee Irish (HELLO, DOLLY!, London Palladium) will star in the UK premiere of THE WHITE CHIP. The week-long celebration of women in the arts will feature a wide range of gatherings, workshops, and performances. The festival will be hosted by Exeter Northcott at their city-centre Barnfield Theatre. and exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows © 2025 - Copyright Wisdom Digital Media, all rights reserved. Privacy Policy Community art which helps deter anti-social behaviour and make a positive difference By NOTICEBOARD · 20 October 2024 COMMUNITY PROJECT: The young artists with Jack Shore Alex Wiltshire (Boyo) and and Richard Shore Young artists have produced a mural of inspiring local people on a bus shelter in Abertillery as they work to make a positive difference to their community The graffiti art mural is the work of young people from Blaenau Gwent Council Youth Service’s Positive Futures group Jack and Richard Shore were chosen to feature on the mural as the father and son are highly respected for their work with mixed martial arts in the community is a Welsh professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is well known in the community for running an MMA gym and working with young people Also featured on the mural is Alex Wiltshire (known as Boyo) who has been recognised for his work with young people in the borough and helping them develop their skills in filming "I’m absolutely blown away and honoured to be considered and included as part of this community driven art piece that is dedicated to inspiration and positive futures in our valleys," said Boyo "Amazing to see the results of unity and creativity in our area." Abertillery's Guardian statue was included commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1960 mining disaster in Six Bells that claimed the lives of 45 men The local heroes joined the young people for the mural's official unveiling along with councillors Helen Cunningham and Keith Chaplin a new Anti-Social Behaviour Taskforce led by Blaenau Gwent Council in partnership with the Youth Service Gwent Police and Tai Calon Community Housing The young people were involved in the project from start to finish including developing their numeracy skills in order to manage the budget It highlights the Positive Futures group's aim to divert young people away from anti-social behaviour by supporting positive community activities who provided the young people with the support skills and confidence to produce the artwork is the Youth Service’s second graffiti art project in Blaenau Gwent The other one is in the car park at The Works and celebrates the mining heritage of the area The team hope to do more soon – not only do they look great but they also help to give young people a sense of real pride in their community “It’s wonderful to see the mural brightening up the bus shelter in Abertillery and even better that it’s with local faces the young people admire and are inspired by," said Cllr Cunningham cabinet member with responsibility for community safety "Anti-social behaviour affects people’s quality of life and how safe they feel at home and when out and about in the community "Today is about shining a light on the ways young people are looking to their own role models and are actively inspiring others to follow their lead and diminish the appeal of anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhoods.” Find out more about the Anti-Social Behaviour Taskforce, visit here LoadingDaily Email Updates {{contentTitle}}