CARROLL COLLEGE CHOIR -- The Carroll College Choir from Wisconsin in the United States of America will present a concert at Saint Edward's Church, Knighton, on Sunday, May 18 at 7.30pm. Carroll College is an independent liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church USA and was founded in 1846. The Carroll Choir goes on tour each year with 36 singers selected from the 60 singers in the choir. The choir is touring Great Britain in May with performances in England and Scotland, but just one in Wales - in Knighton. They perform choral music by British and American composers from the sixteenth century to the present. Their programme will included works by Byrd, Tallis, Ives, Billings, Albright and Paulus as well as American folk hymns and spirituals.The conductor will be Dr Jeffrey Douma, Director of Choral Activities at Carroll College, who has gained distinction as a tenor singer as well as musical director.

ST EDWARD'S CHURCH -- Father Andrew Pearce, the Vicar of East Radnor, celebrated Eucharist at Saint Edward's Church last Sunday. In his sermon Father Andrew warned of the dangers of the Church becoming too inward looking. "It is time we all learned more about what it is to be a good shepherd," he said. Ann Robinson and Kevin Kell read the lessons, and Councillor Ken Harris led the intercessions. Hilary Howcroft directed the St Edward's Choir, and Cecil Rudge was organist. Peter Waters and Mr Kell assisted with the distribution of the Communion.

JUNIOR CHURCH -- The junior church meets during the 9.30am service at St Edward's on the first, second and third Sunday of each month. On the fourth Sunday the junior church joins in the 11am Family Eucharist which uses a special form of the Eucharist which is more accessible to youngsters.

SPRING SALE -- Knighton's Baptist Church's spring sale will be at Norton Street Schoolroom this Saturday (May 17) from 2pm to 3pm. There will be refreshments, cakes & produce, plants, books and bric-a-brac.

COMMUNITY CENTRE -- The annual general meeting of Knighton Community Centre will be at the Community Centre on Monday, May 19 at 7.30pm. There will be May Fair dances at Knighton Community Centre on Friday with Lady DJ, and tomorrow (Saturday 17th) with DJ Storm. Both dances are from 9.30pm to 1.00am.

MARY DUFF -- Leading country and western singer Mary Duff will be at Knighton Community Centre on Wednesday, June 18. Tickets are £12 and are now available at The Bookshop, Broad Street, Knighton. The event is being organised by Knighton Show and Carnival Committee, and profits will go towards the cost of staging the event.

MACMILLAN MILE 2003 -- The Macmillan Mile 2003 will be on Tuesday, May 20. Walkers will meet in the Norton Arms Car Park at 7pm, and the walk will go up Broad Street to the Offa's Dyke Park, along the River Teme to Panpunton footbridge, and then along Kinsley Road back to Knighton. The walk will finish at The Kinsley where coffee will be provided to walkers. "Last year we raised £1,651: a wonderful result," said a spokesman for the local committee of Macmillan Cancer Relief. "Can we beat it this year?"

WEDNESDAY CLUB -- Raffle winners at a recent meeting of Knighton and District Wednesday Club in the Social Room at Saint Edward's Close were; Miss V Pugh, Mrs Conway, Mrs Payne, Mrs Moss, Mr Lewis, Mrs Davies, Mrs Parker-Smith, Mrs Parry and Mrs Barrett. Helpers were Mrs N Barrett and Edith Conway. Mrs Conway was caller for bingo.

KNIGHTON WI MARKET -- The WI Market on Saturday, May 24 will now be held only at the Farmers Market at Knighton Community Centre. The organisers stress that this is a one-off for Saturday, May 24 and is due to a shortage of producers. Regular WI markets will continue on other Saturday mornings at the usual venue - Knighton Farm Supplies off Broad Street.

TOWN COUNCIL -- Knighton Town Council's planning committee was in favour of plans to erect a combined agricultural general purpose and storage building at Heartsease, Knighton; the erection of a conservatory at Glan-y-Nant, Pontfaen Close; and for the erection of a single storey dwelling at 33 Seven Acres. Councillor were divided on the proposed erection of a dwelling and attached garage on a plot adjacent to Deanstone in Garth Lane. "This is infill," said Councillor Bernard Hodnett. Cllr Jan Harris was concerned about the sewerage. "We have turned down applications in this area because of the sewer going along The Cwm, so we have to reject this," she said. Cllr Roy Edwards said that he was not against the principle of building on this plot, but wished to make an observation about the visual impact of the proposed design. "This will be up on stilts," he said. "The others are set back into the bank. It will be larger than anyone else's in the area. I can't see why the back of the building is above the ground." "It will be overpowering," added Deputy Mayor Cllr Derek Price. Planning committee members agreed to pass on their observations about the deficiencies in the sewerage and visual impact of the proposed dwelling on to the Shire Planning Committee.

FAREWELL - Mike Hiles has recently retired after 26 years as a retained firefighter at Knighton Fire Station. Colleagues and friends paid warm tribute to Mr Hiles' efficiency and dedication as a firefighter, and to his friendship and sense of humour, at a social evening at the Horse and Jockey. "Few appreciate the commitment of retained firefighters and their families," said assistant divisional officer David Jackson on behalf of the Mid and West Wales Fire Brigade. ADO Jackson then presented Mr Hiles with a plaque and a clock in recognition of his years of dedicated service. Representatives of neighbouring fire stations also paid tribute: Sub officer David Vickress from Leintwardine Fire Station (Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority), sub officer Trevor Williams from Clun Fire Station (Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service) and sub officer David Lloyd from Presteigne Fire Station. Leading firefighter Keith Hayward, on behalf of Mr Hiles colleagues at his own station of Knighton, then presented him with a statuette of a firefighter. Mr Hiles also received a yellow firefighter's helmet signed by everyone at the Knighton Station and a special cake to mark the occasion. Mrs Hiles was presented with a bouquet of flowers. "I will miss you all," said Mr Hiles in response. "I will treasure these gifts. Thank you all very much."