RELIGIOUS SERVICES - St Andrew's, Presteigne: Holy Communion (CW) at 1 am with the Rev. Stephen Hollinghurst. St Michael and All Angels', Lingen: Holy Communion (CW) at 9.30 am, with the Rev. Stephen Hollinghurst. Baptist Church, Presteigne: Family Service at 11am, with the Rev. Suzanne Roberts, and an Informal Service at 3pm. Methodist Church, Presteigne: Morning Service at 11am.Our Lady and St Therese Roman Catholic Church, Presteigne: Mass at 9 am, with Fr Tim Maloney. Border Fellowship at the Barley Mow, Presteigne: meeting at 10.30 am. Norton Christian Fellowship at the East Radnor Day Centre, Presteigne: Meeting at 10.30 am. St David's, Whitton: Sung Eucharist at 11am with Fr. Andrew Pearce. St Andrew's, Norton: Sung Eucharist at 11am with Fr Paul Gerrard. Traditional Anglican at 7, Hereford St., Presteigne: Eucharist at 10am, with Fr Brian Gill.

JOHN BEDDOES SCHOOL - On Saturday, , December 13, Mid Border Arts presents Theatr Powys in Morgiana's Dance, by Chris Cooper, and directed by Ian Yeoman. The production is described as a heart-warming, humorous, poignant and passionate play, set in a Welsh mining valley at the end of the First World War. It's Christmas time, and a family is re-united... meanwhile Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves is in rehearsal. The performance starts at 7.30 pm in The Ivor Hughes Centre, at John Beddoes, and tickets cost £5/4. Booking on 01597 824444.

FOOTBALL100 CLUB - The November draw for the Presteigne St. Andrew's 100 Club, took place last week, and the winners were: £100, Betty Weale; £50, John Weiland; £25, Mike Lewis; £15, Karl Chapman; and £10, Andrew Crowe. The December draw will take place on Saturday, December 27, at the football club.

GARDENING CLUB - Presteigne Gardening Club are holding their annual meeting and prize winners presentations, followed by a wine and cheese party, in the Memorial Hall on Monday at 7.30 pm. The competition for December will be for a table centre, made by 'Men Only'.

DON'T FORGET - Whitton Christmas play, followed by a party, is on Sunday at 3pm in Whitton Community Centre. Llanandras Christmas Fair is on Saturday, December 20, with Father Christmas in his grotto from noon until 4.30 pm, and entertainment in the High Street from 2pm to 5 pm. Join in the torchlight procession, led by Father Christmas, at 5pm; then, in the evening, why not go along to St. Andrew's at 7.30 pm, for a Christmas carol party with carol singing by the Dolau Mixtures, a Christmas offering from the children, and seasonal refreshments, including mince pies

BAPTIST CHURCH - On Sunday at 3pm there will be a special, and very informal, service in the Baptist Church, for anyone who might be finding this Christmas season difficult. All are welcome, and tea and coffee will be served after the short service.

FILM FANS - Presteigne Film Society is presenting Spike Jonze Adaptation on Friday, December 19, in the Assembly Rooms.

ST MICHAEL'S, DISCOED - There was a packed house at St. Michael's, last Sunday afternoon, for Discoed's own Nativity play, The Innkeeper's Wife, written and directed by Edward Storey. This was a highly original version of the first Christmas, recounted 30years after the event, and told from the viewpoint with the occasional very local reference thrown in.

EARLY WARNING - There will be an exhibition of paintings and drawings, by children who attend Cecily Sash's weekly class, on Thursday/Friday/Saturday, December 18/19/20, in the Meeting Room at the Assembly Rooms. Carols by Candlelight with the Knighton Silver Band in the Baptist Church on Sunday, December 21.

ADVENT - Advent Bible classes at the Rectory continue on Tuesdays, December 16 and 23, led by the Rector, the Reverend Stephen Hollinghurst. All sessions start at 7.30 pm, and conclude at 9 pm. The Rector says that everyone is welcome.

CHRISTMAS TREES - The little Christmas trees are up, and looking good, and the new Christmas lights are tremendous. Well done to all those who risked life and limb in putting them up.