Our February meeting, held on Tuesday 10th February, was set aside for research. We saw a good turnout which included 2 visitors one of whom we had met at a help desk we held at Llanbradach Library and who will hopefully continue to attend.  It was a busy night with our websites and CD library put to good use.  We also had a surprise visitor in the form of Mr Stephen Bell of the Education and Training Inspectorate for Wales or ‘Estyn ‘as it is known.  Mr Bell spent an hour with us, interviewing members and gaining an understanding of our activities.  He was pleased to hear of our involvement in Adult Learning Weeks, Open Days, Help Desks and other work.  He was unaware that we carried the cost of our hire of the school premises and finally left having congratulated us on how the branch was run.

On 27th February, we held a help desk at Rhymney Library on the extreme boundary of our Branch.  The one lady visitor to the desk being, unfortunately, outnumbered by the 5 members attending. However she was helped in finding details of her father’s service in World War I. On 2nd March, we held a further help desk at Abercarn Library when again only one gentleman visitor turned up.  He did, however, express an interest in joining the Society.