Whitton

WOMEN'S INSTITUTE -- The May meeting of Whitton Women's Institute was chaired by Mrs D. Mills. The items discussed were the play sacks which a few members agreed to undertake, and also some had taken to bird watching in connection with a survey being dome by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Jean Sandercock agreed to be the delegate at the IGM in Brighton and at the AGM in Llandrindod. The husbands of members were invited as they were interested in the 50s and 60s films showed by guest Bill Brown. It was good to see the carnivals and shows of years gone by. Knighton and Presteigne did themselves proud in the crowds, that not only attended these functions but which also entered the carnivals. There were excellent shows of cattle and sheep, with many familiar faces showing their stock. There was also cycle racing, the Army Cadets putting on displays, but most delightful of all was to see the children's races, and to see how children appeared in those days and women looking so feminine. There was also the fire at Knighton tyre factory, men digging trenches for Knighton Gasworks, and the town bands of Knighton and Presteigne in uniform. There were weddings in Beguildy and other places. In 1953 there was quite a hill fire at Llangunllo which burned for several weeks. There was a football match between Knighton and Kington, sheep trials at Chapel Lawn, and the Armistice Service at Station Road in Knighton. In 1955 Stowe and Stanage had their point to point races. There was also the 1952 Llanfair Wakes, and the home coming of John Hunt of Everest fame. "It was a nostalgic evening which made one realise how hard people worked at these functions," said a member. "What a shame that shows have gone, and the carnivals are not what they used to be. I guess that Knighton are to be congratulated on still holding a successful show." Mr Brown was thanked by Mrs M. Phillips, who was hostess with Mrs Graves and who also won the photographic competition. The raffle was won by Mrs J. Andbridge. Mr Brown came to Knighton from Newtown in 1934 and with his brother Jim brought the first talkies to Radnorshire. They closed their cinema in the early 1970s, after which it was used for bingo.