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Ystrad Mynach hosted the first Christmas fair of the year last weekend, and welcomed around 9,000 visitors for a host of activities across the high street.

On the busiest day of the year so far, thousands visited Ystrad Mynach where various food, drink, and craft stalls were set-up, as well as a Santa’s grotto and live music.

After the event, staff from The House of Bark said: “We just wanted to say a massive thank you for everyone’s hard work at Ystrad Mynach on Saturday.

“The set up, layout and organisation was fantastic, and the planning really paid off. It was an enjoyable day, lots of people out and about. A great range of traders with some amazing products on offer.”

Meanwhile in Caerphilly, the Twyn Community Centre was packed with people making lanterns ahead of the ‘river of light lantern parade’ on Saturday November 30.

There were 351 lanterns made across the weekend and two more days of lantern making will be taking place on Saturday November 23 and Sunday 24 which is free to attend with no booking necessary.

There are also lantern workshops in Bargoed on November 23 and 30 ready for the Bargoed parade on December 7.