WORLD BOOK DAY -- This special event on Thursday, March 14, was marked at Kington Primary School by a competition which called for pupils to appear in fancy dress costumes illustrating characters from books. It provoked much good-natured rivalry, and the final outcome was that prizes were awarded to: Ellen Baines (Mad Hatter), juniors; Connor Pafford (Stig of the Dump), infants; Fern Millichamp (101 Dalmatians), nursery. On the same day, a new school logo competition result was declared, and the winners were Henry Macleod and Hollie Williams, whose design will be seen on the school's headed notepaper and its new book-bags.

FREEMASONS -- Members of Kington's Arrow Lodge of Freemasons, one of the county's 14 masonic lodges, played their part in helping to raise the £8,000 needed to purchase the 'state of the art' diathermy machine presented to Hereford's new hospital. 'The £8,000 raised by our 800 members makes this gift to Hereford's new hospital the largest single charity donation in Herefordshire Freemasons' nearly 250 years history.' Clifford Burkett, general secretary of the Herefordshire Masonic Charity Association, added: 'And it demonstrates once again the part played by Freemasons in supporting their local community.' The machine, already in service at the hospital, cauterises veins and arteries to reduce the loss of blood during surgery, and makes incisions by laser, reducing stress, improving healing and leaving less of a scar.

THE MARCHES -- Credit Union, which draws its support from the towns of Presteigne and Knighton as well as Kington, together with their surrounding villages, is holding its third annual meeting today. It will be held at the Burton Hotel, Kington at 7.30 pm and says secretary Mick Rand, all members are requested to attend, as this year sees a major structural change in the way that credit unions are overseen. The Financial Services Authority (FSA), he explains, 'has replaced the Registrar of Friendly Societies as our controlling body, and it has established very sensible and fundamental rules to safeguard all members money.' But he assures members: 'You still own your local credit union, and you still have a say in who runs it and how it is run.' Mr Rand also reminds them that the Marches Credit Union is run entirely by trained volunteers, and he asks: 'Would you be interested in helping in one of the collection points (Kington, Presteigne or Knighton), or helping with the running of the credit union? 'We can provide the training if you are able to give a few hours every week, or even every month, the amount of time is up to you.' Anyone who would like to volunteer is invited to contact Mr Rand on 01544 231568.

WOMEN'S INSTITUTE -- Are now taking orders for the Kington's WI Market, for cakes, savouries, preserves, pies and eggs wanted by customers at Easter. As usual, the Easter market will be held on Maundy Thursday, March 28, and telephone orders should be made to either 01544 388368 or 01544 340415.

VINTAGE -- The Kington Vintage Club has arranged its annual meeting for Easter Sunday, March 31, at the Burton Hotel at 7.30 pm. This year, the club plans to hold a two-day show, with a mainly military theme on Saturday, August 17 and the usual classic and vintage theme on the following day.