NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS - A crowd of around 70 people gathered at Knighton's clock tower on New Year's Eve to welcome in 2005. The mood was boisterous but good natured and the chimes of the clock at midnight were clearly heard. There were also a few fireworks from various parts of the town.

In line with the trend in the country as a whole, the number of people out on the streets to welcome the New Year publicly has declined sharply.

EXAMINATION SUCCESSES - In the recent piano examinations of the Associated Board of The Royal Schools of Music the following candidates were successful: Kathy Price - grade 3 (distinction), Kate Mayglothling - grade 3,

Marnie Williams - grade 2 (merit), Zoe Penlington - grade 2, Harriet Asson - grade 3 jazz piano (distinction), All are pupils of Mrs Jane Milward of Knighton.

TELEPHONE BOX REMOVAL - The BT phonebox in Knighton's Wylcwm Street was removed shortly after Christmas and a concrete rectangle in the pavement is all that now remains of this once important lifeline for the town's residents. Anyone ringing the number of the payphone, 01547 528960, gets a recorded voice saying, "the number you have dialled has not been recognised". In a consultation letter to Knighton Town Council in July 2004, BT stated that it wished to remove: those boxes at Milebrook and Rhos-y-meirch outside the main town, but a map with the letter appeared to show that the box in Wylcwm Street was also scheduled for closure.The boxes at Milebrook and Rhos-y-meirch both appear to be functional. The letter also identified two payphones which BT was committed to keep open for social reasons: at the clock tower in Knighton itself and at Knucklas. BT further identified two boxes in Knighton which it was retaining for the time being, but which it might wish to remove at a future date, at Radnor Drive and Fronhir.