Knighton

PRIMARY SCHOOL CAROL SERVICE -- 'Christmas is about giving' was the theme of Knighton Primary School's carol service held on the last day of the school term in Saint Edward's Church. To underline this theme no fewer than 33 Wise Men each brought a shoe box packed with items for families and orphanages in eastern Europe. Father Andrew Pearce, Priest-in-charge of the Knighton Group of Parishes and a foundation governor of the school, explained that the operation had been organised by the Rotarians of Knighton and District. The items in the shoeboxes were one third food items, one third household goods, and one third toys. As well as Knighton Primary School, Whitton Primary School and Knucklas Scouts had taken part in the scheme. Rotary Club President Ernie Gunner, in costume as Joseph, received the gifts on behalf of the Club. Headteacher Nigel Topley introduced the carols and the readings which were by pupils of the school. Judith Phillips and Penny Burns were accompanists. Father Pearce read the bidding prayer, light the candles on the Advent ring, and gave the blessing. The service concluded with 'Let us all join hands together', from the school's Christmas concert which, this year, had an internationalist theme. The Junior Handbell Ringers, under the direction of Roger Thomas, took part in the service.

WOMEN'S INSTITUTE MARKET -- Knighton's Women's Institute market will reopen on Saturday, January 12, when the usual cakes, pies, preserves, eggs etc. will be on sale at Knighton Farm supplies off Broad Street. Anyone wishing to place an order should ring Angela Lewis on 01597 840220. The Market needs glass jars in 12 ounce, 16 ounce and 2 pound sizes, and the organizers would be very grateful for any gifts of jars that are surplus to the owners' requirements. They can be left when the market is open. The organizers wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year.

UNVEILING OF OBELISK -- The obelisk to mark the start of the Glyndwr's Way long distance footpath will be officially unveiled by The Hon. Mrs Legge-Bourke, the Lord Lieutenant of Powys on Friday, April 19, Knighton's Mayor, Councillor Roger Bright, has confirmed. The obelisk, carved by Jonathan Protheroe, will be situated in Knighton's High Street. The ceremony should have been last year, but was postponed because of foot and mouth disease.

NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATIONS -- As has become the custom in recent years a crowd assembled at Knighton's town clock just before midnight on December 31 to welcome in the New Year. Numbers present were less than usual, perhaps because the air temperature was well below freezing, but those who did turn out enjoyed the occasion. The chimes of the clock, which was recently been out of action for several months while undergoing renovation, rang out clearly, and were greeted with warm applause. In previous years there has been some controversy over whether or not the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve. 2002 was also welcomed in with a few fireworks in various parts of the town.

COMMUNITY CENTRE -- Mark Jarvis is now in position as Knighton Community Centre's Development Officer. Mr Jarvis is employed by Powys County Council, and for the next six months he will be looking at ways of increasing the community's use of the centre, and of generating greater income. As an essential part of his programme Mr Jarvis will seek the views of members of the community on how the centre's facilities could be improved and on problems they have experienced. The centre was originally constructed by Radnor District Council, and Councillor David Evans, who was then chairman of the district council, formally opened the centre on October 13, 1984, an event commemorated by a plaque in the entrance hall. Since then the centre has been run by a management committee with responsibility for the interior, with the Council retaining responsibility for the exterior and structural fabric of the building. In the 1996 local government re-organization ownership passed to the newly created unitary Powys County Council. From the start of its ownership Powys County Council has wanted the management committee to reform itself as a charitable trust and assume responsibility for the building in its entirety, and the committee has already taken the first steps towards this. Mr Jarvis will look closely as to whether or not the centre will be viable financially as a community facility under the proposed new arrangements.

TREF-Y-CLAWDD WI -- The year for Tref-y-Clawdd Women's Institute began with a small number of members gathered to hear about life as a conductor on the London buses, as experienced by Doris Irving, whose lively delivery of the details of her work was enjoyed greatly by those present. Doris worked for London transport for five and a half years in the 1950s. She was singled out to represent the company by being photographed for a recruitment poster, and caused flurries of excitement when the real life Doris worked inside the bus, while her poster image was displayed outside the vehicle. Doris was thanked was thanked by Jean Kilby. Jean Coulthard, Vice President, deputising for Joan Beattie, began the meeting by asking members to stand in silence in memory of Betty Wright, Tref-y-Clawdd WI's much loved and revered treasurer, who will be remembered for her many qualities and gifts. Shirley Moorhouse, secretary, read out an obituary for Mrs Wright given by her son Graham Wright at her funeral. Jean Coulthard welcomed Lynn Courthoys, a visitor, to the meeting. Three teams had been entered for the bowls competition on February 11. Arrangements for the Christmas/New Tear lunch were confirmed: January 16 at 12 for 12.30pm at the Horse and Jockey Inn. Enid Lloyd, Lynn Courthoys and Jean Kilby won the raffle. Enid Lloyd and Jean Kilby were hostesses for the evening. The next meeting of Tref-y-Clawdd Women's Institute will be on Wednesday, February 6 at Norton Street Baptist Schoolroom. Councillor Ken Harris will speak on 'backcare'. "All are welcome," said a spokeswoman for the Institute.

METHODIST CHURCH -- Bitterly cold weather was overcome by the warmth and jollity enjoyed by a good company of people at the Knighton Methodist Church coffee evening on January 3. Alf MacKay introduced a varied programme of music and readings as master of ceremonies for the evening. Those taking part were the Methodist Church Choir conducted by Hilda Mosler, and accompanied by Joan Beattie, Harriet Owen, Jake Owen, George Davies, Hannah Smith, Mary Hill, Alf MacKay, Vera MacKay, Ann Creed, Val Owens, Hilda Mosler and the Rev. Michael Langstaff. The programme was greatly enjoyed, and the evening closed with community carol singing. Church members provided and served refreshments. Ray Lloyd thanked everyone for their efforts in making the evening such success, and he also thanked all present for attending the event, despite the weather. This Sunday (January 13), the Reverend Tony Hearle of Church Stretton will lead Morning Worship at Knighton Methodist Church at 11am.

GROUP OF PARISHES -- Services this Sunday (January 13) will be 9.30am Family Eucharist at Knighton; 11am Sung Eucharist at Whitton; 3pm Sung Eucharist at Norton. The Rev. Andrew Pearce, Priest in Charge of the Knighton Group of Parishes, will take all three services. Mid week celebrations of the Eucharist will be at 6.30pm on Tuesday, January 15 at Norton, and 10am on Wednesday, January 16 at Knighton. The January edition of 'The Messenger', the magazine of the Knighton Group of Parishes, is available at churches in the Group at a cover price of 35p.

SAINT EDWARD'S CHURCH -- The Rev. Andrew Pearce presided at Eucharist for the Feast of the Epiphany at Saint Edward's Church last Sunday. Epiphany (the name is derived from the Greek word for manifestation) is an older festival than Christmas, which Christians did not celebrate on December 25 until the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine (ruled from AD 306 to AD 337). Originally Epiphany commemorated the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan, but, with the association with Christmas, the emphasis became changed to the visit of the Eastern astrologers to pay homage to the infant Jesus as described in Matthew's Gospel.

WHIST DRIVE -- Knighton Bowling Club held a whist drive at the Clubhouse in Church Road on January 3. Prizewinners were: ladies: 1 Olwen Jones, 2 Shirley Moorhouse, 3 Lynda Hall: gentlemen: 1 Mr Pugh, 2 Mabel Evans, 3 Rose Lynall: consolation: Ken Ellis and Iris Benson. Ann Price, Chris Whitefoot and Ann Price won prizes in the draw. The organisers thank Shirley Moorhouse for being master of ceremonies, and Sue Price who presented the prizes. The next whist drive will be on Thursday, January 17 at 7.30pm at the Clubhouse.