A HEAVY May shower beat down on Knucklas Community Centre as management chairman Keith Ackermann gave his report to the recent annual general meeting. Rainwater spilled out of the centre's guttering and splashed onto its wooden walls before the eyes of everyone present. "Powys County Council promised to repair the guttering," said Dr Ackermann,"but they have not done a satisfactory job." Dr Ackermann explained that the lengthy legal negotiations to give Knucklas Community Centre self management had been completed, and the centre had become a registered charity. The centre had been leased by Powys County Council to Beguildy Community Council, and the management committee given full responsibility for the Centre's upkeep. Powys County Council had agreed to carry out repairs to the building, including the guttering, as part of the process. The county council had also agreed to insure the fabric of the building for the first year. After that, it would be the management committee's responsibility, and this was a heavy commitment as it was likely to cost at least £1,000. Charitable status would put the centre in a better position to raise funds. The committee had plans to construct a multi-purpose court on the adjacent playing field, having been originally approached by local youngsters with a request for a flat area to play ball games. Dr Ackermann had approached the county council on the centre's behalf, and had been told that the council would not support a simple levelling operation, but would support a multi-purpose games area with an all weather surface. The cost of such a facility would be in the order of £30,000 and the committee had already made applications for grant funding to the Welsh Assembly and to Powys County Council, and was in the process of preparing a third application to the Sports Council for Wales. Dr Ackermann thanked Kirsty Williams AM for her support. One of the conditions for the grant to the sports council was for the centre to have a formal youth club, and this had given the impetus to establish one with support from members of the community who were willing to train as youth leaders. Dr Ackermann said that once the multi-purpose games area was in position the committee would be able to look at their long term aim of building a new community centre to replace the present building, which had a limited life span. The committee had agreed to be adopt a recycling site on the car park outside the centre, and this would generate money for the community. Recycling banks for glass, paper and tin cans would be placed on the site. Events of the past year which had included the fun-day, which had been a big success, a football tournament, the annual fireworks night and bingo and quiz evenings. Avril Hoyle had organised a coffee evening in her own home for the centre. The centre provided a venue for Heyope Ladies Guild, the Teme Valley Gardening Club, Heyope Sports, Knucklas Cub Scouts, County Council classes in art and yoga, Knucklas Painters Circle and the Baptist Church Holiday Club. Dr Ackermann concluded by thanking his fellow committee members for their help and support throughout the year. Secretary Kevin Kell thanked Dr Ackermann for his hard work as chairman. "It has made my job as secretary an easy one," he said. Treasurer Colin Evans presented a financial statement which showed income of £5,031.30 and expenditure of £4,110.38. Of the income, £2,976 was raised by functions, £1,060 from the Powys County Council grant, and £339 from hire fees. The playgroup had been a big item of expenditure in the year 2001/2002, but this had ceased because of a lack of pre-school aged children needing the facility. Mr Evans thanked bookings secretary Anne Leighfield for her hard work and diligence in ensuring the smooth running of the centre. Dr Keith Ackermann was elected chairman, Lesley Davies as vice-chairman, Colin Evans as treasurer and Kevin Kell as secretary. Lottie O'Leary, Elaine Powell, Robert Forbath and Ann Leighfield were elected to the committee. Martin Wood, Frances Brett and Mr A Hawkins were co-opted on to the committee. Ann Leighfield was elected bookings secretary.