Presteigne

USE IT OR LOSE IT! -- Apparently Powys County Council are 'enthusiastically' considering closing various public loos throughout the county, in order to save money - and to improve facilities (eg hot water and baby-changing facilities) in other public toilets. They have their eye on those by the children's play area at Wilson Terrace as appropriate for closure, which might come as unwelcome news to parents supervising younger children in the playground, as well as the older group using the skateboard park. The county council is asking for opinions!

TWINNING -- At the February meeting of the town council, councillors were informed of the latest plans for the ceremonies in Brittany to formalize Presteigne's twinning with Lign later this year. The inauguration of the new hall in Lign, L'Espace Culturelle in 'Presteigne Square', will take place on Saturday, October 18, following the twinning ceremony on the previous day. The weekend of March 27/28, 2004 has been suggested for the corresponding ceremony here, when the garden in Wentes Meadow - Lign Garden - will be inaugurated. However, if there are no extra grants available at the end of the financial year to help with the costs of the occasion, then the ceremony could take place a few weeks later, in the hope of better weather.

WOOD ON THE WARDEN -- A plea from the Town Council! If you are collecting wood from the fallen trees on the Warden - as is the right of residents in Presteigne - please try to clear away some of the brushwood as well, to help tidy up the site. A great deal of damage was done on the Warden during the Great Storm of last October, and the north facing slope is beginning to look a bit sparse, despite the efforts of the young beech trees which have been planted in recent years.

FRIENDS OF PILLETH -- The next fund-raising event to help restore the Church and Holy Well at Pilleth will be on Thursday, March 20, in the Old Courtroom in the Judge's Lodgings. Muriel Passey MA will be lecturing on a rather more famous restoration effort, when Sir Christopher Wren was invited to organise the planning and rebuilding of London after the Great Fire of 1666. The title of her lecture 'Remember the men who made shapely the stones' is taken from the plaque in the crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral, erected by the Mason's Company to commemorate the contribution of its members. It stands next to the memorial to Sir Christopher Wren in St. Faith's chapel. After leaving Oxford, where she read French and Latin, Mrs Passey took marriage to a Herefordian, five children and teaching in her stride. When her husband's career in economic forecasting took the family to London, Mrs Passey developed her great interest in the city of London and its unending, absorbing history. Tickets are £8, and the evening includes wine and nibbles, starting at 7.15 for 8pm. It is suggested that members of the audience takes along a cushion... or two!

FILM FANS -- Presteigne Film Society is showing a Japanese film, 'Warm Water under the Bridge' on Friday, March 7, which is directed by Shohei Imamura and stars Koji Yakusho. Set on the Noto Peninsular the film tells the story of unemployed Yosuke, who befriends a tramp and is told of a gold Buddha that has been hidden by a red bridge, and when the tramp dies Yosuke resolves to find it. He meets a girl, Saeko, and their passionate relationship develops with unexpected results. The film is subtitled and with a 15 certification.

FLORAL ART -- The February meeting of Presteigne & Borders Floral Art Society took the form of a demonstration of floral art by the chairman, Cynthia Hughes. Entitled 'In My Grandmother's Footsteps', Cynthia recalled her childhood in North Wales. Many in the audience empathised with 'washday blues', remembering the dolly, flat irons and carpet beaters which she used as a background for her arrangement of sunny yellow gerberas, irises for the blue bag and mimosa for the fresh smell of the laundry. Another colourful display, with flame red and orange lilies and carnations, represented the fires of the blitz. Heather Burton thanked Cynthia for a nostalgic and entertaining evening. The next meeting will be the AGM which takes place on March 12 at 7.30 in the Memorial Hall, Presteigne. It will be followed by a showing of the official video of the World Floral Art Show in Glasgow which some members attended last June, and extracts from the video of the Society's exhibition 'Happy and Glorious' of last October. There will be refreshments and a raffle. All are welcome to attend. Members and friends are looking forward to the Saturday workshop on March 22, when Sheila Smith of Chapel Lawn will show how to create a continental design. This event is fully booked, but to enquire about cancellations, phone Cynthia Hughes, 01544 260113

LENT GROUPS -- There is a choice of Lent study sessions this year, with Churches Together in Presteigne holding a series of meetings on Tuesday evenings - starting on March 11 - in the schoolroom of the Baptist Chapel at 7.30 pm; and the Anglican Parish Group holding a series of Bible Studies for Lent on Wednesday evenings, starting on March 12, at the Rectory at 7.30 pm. Everyone is most welcome to attend either - or both - of these study groups.

SPRING IN THE AIR -- It's official. It must be spring, for the sound of the lawnmower has been heard in the land.