20 things you only know if you're from Blaenau Gwent

Whether you were born and bred in the valleys or moved here by choice, you'll know that the Blaenau Gwent area offers a unique view on being Welsh.

Sitting at the top of the heads of the valleys between Torfaen and Caerphilly, it is home to a number of historical landmarks, beautiful scenery and amazing people who do things their own way.

So who needs the the bright lights of Cardiff or Newport when you live in such a wonderful place?

Here are the 20 things you only know if you're from Blaenau Gwent.

1. You've heard the story of Aneurin Bevan at least a thousand times, but you feel proud every time you hear it

2. You queued for hours around Brynmawr square to watch a film in Market Hall Cinema

(Gwent Gazette)

3. And you lost your mind when a big act was named to perform in the Beaufort Ballroom theatre

4. You got a wave from Prince Charles and Catherine Zeta-Jones at the opening of the Garden Festival in Ebbw Vale, and still go there to grab a bargain from time to time

This is what they valley became thanks to the Garden Festival (Lesley Rickard)

5. It rains here... a lot

6. But has some of the most spectacular views in Wales when the weather's nice

(Lewis Smith)

7. The train from Ebbw Vale to Cardiff takes an hour and can get quite packed on a match day

8. But you always feel at home when you see the mountains and Guardian statue in Six Bells

9. Going Wimberry picking in the summer is essential so your nan can make you a Wimberry tart

10. You understand how the Trolley Block recycling system works which makes you a semi genius

A new type of vehicle is going to be trialled in Blaenau Gwent (Western Mail)

11. You miss the old leisure centre in Ebbw Vale, especially getting chucked out for jumping off the top diving board

12. And spending all week waiting for the play scheme roller disco to come around

13. You're an expert on local rugby teams, such as Ebbw Vale, Blaina and Abertillery, and can probably recite who scored what try on a particular Saturday in 1991.

14. You've flipped your kayak while paddling round Bryn Bach Park Lake

Kayaking at Parc Bryn Bach in Blaenau Gwent (Publicity picture)

15. You're part of such a close knit community that going to Asda always takes hours because you know everyone there

16. We all have grandparents who worked down the mines

(MEDIA WALES)

17. As well as 15 cousins we've never heard of

18. We're a pretty old bunch, with ancient tribes having settled in the Gwent valleys over 5,000 years ago

19. And we're officially the highest borough in Wales, with the village of Trefil standing 1,342 ft above sea level

20. Mostly though, even though it might not be perfect, there's no place like home in Blaenau Gwent