DONATIONS - The Trustees Management Committee of East Radnorshire Day Centre is determined to proceed with its plan to acquire the next-door cottage in order to extend much-needed facilities for the centre. At its last meeting, there was a surprise visit from Presteigne Young Farmers treasurer, Becky Rogers, who presented a cheque of £600 on behalf of the club. It represented proceeds of the recent YFC dance held at Hill Farm. Also presented was a cheque for £105, raised by Anne Davies and her helpers, who organised a late-night barbecue at the same event. The committee expressed thanks to the Young Farmers and to Anne Davies for these generous donations, and treasurer Brian Ansell will add them to the account which had been opened for the Extension Fund.

COUNSELLING SERVICE - Susan Wilson, a former nurse who was the first co-ordinator for the Knighton Community Support project, has completed her training as professional counsellor, including obtaining a B.Phil at Birmingham University. She has been in counselling service in Newtown over the last two years and has now started a counselling service in Presteigne. Appointments with Sue will be in the lounge behind the Baptist church in Hereford Street. It is a confidential service, available for anyone who is in difficulty through feeling depressed, worried or sad. No charge is made, though donations are welcome towards the cost of the service. It is available to anyone in need. Inquiries and appointment bookings can be made to Sue Wilson, mobile phone 078 66833294. This counselling service is only one of the options now available at the Baptist church. The minister, the Rev. Dr Suzanne Roberts, is starting a bereavement support group this autumn for those who have lost family members or close family friends. As a former medical practitioner, she has often been involved with those who have been bereaved. Tel 01544 267339.

YOUNG FARMERS - Presteigne Young Farmers Club were in top form again, winning both the hockey and basketball at the YFC All Wales Sports Day held at Abergavenny Sports Centre. They were representing Radnor in the competition. Members from Presteigne YFC also had individual successes in badminton, swimming and cricket. Last month, five young farmers working for their Duke of Edinburgh's Award spent two days on their bronze expedition, camping out and walking in the Black Mountains. The club's annual dinner was held at the Horse and Jockey, Knighton, and the annual meeting is due in a few days. Between six and10 members at a time have been working on the Wents Meadow project. They have learned a number of new skills, working in the barn and outside. Sean Price has built an ornamental wall of concrete blocks along part of the garden and other members have been laying stones.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT - Community support officer, Jean Millichamp, reported that the new community development worker, Lisa Bedford, now co-operated with her in recruiting volunteers for local projects, notably the Wents Meadow project. The volunteer bureau side of Presteigne's Community Support had been allowed a valuable boost to its future development with a grant of more than £50,000 over the next three years. It must be spent on enhancing the services of the bureau and would particularly make it possible to enter into a community partnership to develop the existing youth centre into a one-stop centre. Enlarging the premises would give space for both the development and support offices in the same building. They would also hope to include IT and resource centre which could be open to all members of the community, including young people. To develop this plan, it would be necessary to gather a core of interested local people to form a management committee. This committee would have the responsibility of overseeing the development of the project as a whole. A public meeting is planned this month in order to recruit enthusiastic supporters for this scheme.

MID BORDER ARTS - The new editors of Mid Border Arts Newsletter have issued their first autumn edition, which carries a lively and varied dairy of programmes for the next three months. Most of the events take place in the Assembly Rooms in Presteigne, but also listed are forthcoming concerts in New Radnor and events in Lingen. Highlights are a members' soiree on September 24, with food, wine and entertainment, and a visit to Walsall Art Gallery on October 14. Professional drama is to feature, with visits from Horse and Bamboo, Theatr Powys and Pentabus. Barbara Neal, who co-ordinates the drama section, points out that these cost money, and the to raise funds in order to extend their number, MBA needs to put on a production of its own and hopes someone is keen to swing into action. She would welcome any suggestions. Two special events are: October 24, when local historian, Geoffrey Treasure, will give a talk on 'The Making of a Historian', and the American poet, Emily Dickinson, is the subject of a LynchPin production, 'My Life Has Stood Still', on November 14. Alex Dufort, chairman of MBA, plans to add further concerts, talks and lectures to the schedule. Inquiries regarding membership to 01544 260577.