Thousands of people have applied for free tickets to the Eisteddfod in just one week. Last Monday the Eisteddfod made 10,000 free tickets available for the Maes on August 1 and within seven days, more than 2,500 people have applied. The scheme is funded by the Assembly in a bid to attract people to the event who have not been before.

Priority is given to people living in Blaenau Gwent and the Heads of the Valleys and so far, 85 per cent of applications have come from these areas. After May 1, applications from across Wales will be processed. National Eisteddfod Chief Executive, Elfed Roberts, said: "We are delighted that so many local people have applied for tickets. We are sure that the scheme will become more popular over the coming weeks."

The next step is to deliver 40,000 leaflets about the scheme to homes across the borough. The Eisteddfod is being held in The Works, Ebbw Vale, from July 31 - August 7 and is expect to attract around 160,000 people. To apply for tickets, call 08454 090 300 or visit www.eisteddfod.org.uk

Redrow's exclusive New Heritage Collection is coming to Ebbw Vale, bringing instantly recognisable traditional homes which combine the best of old and new. A range of 34 different homes, The New Heritage Collection is a premium housing product with more than a hint of nostalgia, influenced by the ‘Arts and Crafts’ era, but boasting a specification to meet the needs of modern lifestyles.

To ensure buyers can purchase these new designs at the earliest opportunity, the homes are already selling ‘off-plan’ at Cae Ffwrnais, in Ebbw Vale. There’s also the opportunity to experience the homes first-hand nearby, as two professionally designed show homes are already open at Cwm Calon, Redrow’s popular development in Ystrad Mynach. Just as the Arts and Crafts era (c1850 – 1915) grew from the desire to bring back the skill and creativity of the individual craftsman and revive the simplicity and honesty in the way buildings and furnishings were made, Redrow has deliberately set out to reintroduce a high degree of individuality to the way its homes look and feel.

People in the area may remember Redrow’s original Heritage Range homes, which were built at Victoria, on the former Garden Festival site, and the housebuilder is hoping to recreate the success experienced there with the new venture at Cae Ffwrnais. Luly Brice, area sales manager for Redrow Homes (South Wales), explains: “Feedback from the majority of our customers tells us that they want a conventional two-storey home, preferably detached, with an easily accessible garage and a garden of their own. They want something that looks traditional, perhaps evocative of the family home they grew up in, but they want it to have the latest statement-making kitchens, bathrooms and good quality fixtures and fittings.

“In designing this, some of the architectural influences, styles, shapes, colours and textures reflected in the Arts and Crafts movement have been brought right up to date with high-specification interiors styled for modern living.” Some of the external features which typify the Arts and Crafts era - and will be seen in varying degrees on the Ebbw Vale homes - include dropped eaves, projecting plinths, bays and other distinctive window styles, often with leaded lights. Other highlights include timber or tiled canopies over doors and windows, supported by decorative gallows brackets, and the use of larch lap boarding, while front door styles and colours also reflect the ‘heritage’ feel.

These traditional exteriors hide a contemporary interior specification, featuring convivial open plan living spaces, fashionable kitchen designs with floor to ceiling units, central islands and top brand name appliances, plus bathrooms that are sleek, modern and pleasing to the eye. There will be a total of 47 New Heritage Collection homes built at Cae Ffwrnais, which will complete this picturesque development, located right in the heart of the valleys. Regeneration locally includes a new hospital, open university, sports facilities and railway station.

Homes here from The New Heritage Collection are currently priced from £134,995 for three-bedroom ‘Broadway’ semi-detached home to £205,995 for four-bedroom detached ‘Lincoln’. To find out more visit the sales office on Steelworks Road, Ebbw Vale, Thursday to Monday 10am to 5.30pm, log on to: redrow.co.uk

A ‘Warwick’ show home is due to open at the development in June. In the meantime, two beautifully furnished show homes can be viewed at Cwm Calon in Ystrad Mynach daily from 10am to 5.30pm. You can also see video footage of the new show homes on redrow.tv, as well as a behind the scenes film all about the evolution of New Heritage and the rationale behind it.

New Jobs are being created in Blaenau Gwent thanks to an Ebbw Vale company winning a £4million contract. Wil-Mor-Wil, which is based at Waun y Pound Industrial Estate and specialises in installing energy efficient central heating systems, has signed the deal to work for the Government’s Warm Front Scheme. This has seen 14 new jobs created locally and it is hoped at least another six new employees will be taken on in the near future. These include surveyors, heating engineers and electrical engineers.

The Warm Front Scheme is a Government initiative which is designed to make homes more energy efficient by providing heating measures worth up to £3,500, or £6,000 where oil central heating is required, to specific households. These include households receiving child tax credit, disability living allowance or working tax credit. Heating measures being installed include loft insulation, draught proofing, fitting hot water tank jackets and installing combi-boilers depending on the work needed.

The two-year contract will see Wil-Mor-Will staff install these systems into more than 30 homes a week around England. The contract was gained with the help of the Assembly’s Supplier Development Service which helps companies bid for and win public service contracts. Wil-Mor-Wil co-director Tanya Greenland said: “This work will effectively double our workload and open up major opportunities for the company."

The company, which has seen its number of employees grow from 12 to 80 over the past ten years, is already contracted to deliver the Welsh equivalent of the Warm Front Scheme - the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme funded by the Assembly.

The Funeral of former Labour leader and Gwent MP Michael Foot will be held on Monday. A service will be held at 12pm at noon but the venue has not yet been confirmed. The popular political giant who died at his London home on March 3 after a long illness. A Welsh Labour spokesman said it is also expected that a memorial service will be held locally for Mr Foot but arrangements for this are still being made.

Born in Plymouth, Mr Foot worked as a journalist before fighting his first parliamentary election in 1935 when he stood for Labour in Monmouth. He was first elected as an MP in 1945 and became a Gwent MP in 1960 for the seat of Ebbw Vale, which later became Blaenau Gwent. He then succeeded Jim Callaghan as Labour leader in 1980 and stood down after losing the 1983 election. He was replaced by Neil Kinnock.

He retired from the House of Commons in 1992. On July 23, 2006, Mr Foot celebrated his 93rd birthday and became the longest lived leader of any British political party. The Argus reported last week how tributes were paid to Mr Foot following his death. These were led by prime minister Gordon Brown who said he was "a man of deep principle" and "an indomitable figure who always stood up for his beliefs".

Independent MP for Blaenau Gwent, Dai Davies said it was "a great honour" to follow in his footsteps while Blaenau Gwent AM Trish Law called him "a political colossus". Wales secretary, Peter Hain said: "Never again, will we see such soaring oratory, socialist passion and wit." Residents in Tredegar, where Mr Foot had his constituency home in Morgan Street, also described him as a down to earth person who always had time for his residents.