CHARITY EVENING - Guests arriving at the Judge's Lodging for the Mayor's Millennium Murder Mystery were greeted by several Victorian gentlemen, handsomely tanned and with pomaded hair, and also a cloaked police constable or two, who turned out to be the mayor and some of the town councillors. An elegant and dignified lady in black bombazine proved to be town clerk Pauline Moodie. Mystery began to deepen and, after a glass of fruit punch, the company was invited to tour the building and to fill in a treasure hunt questionnaire. At half time, all gathered in the Court Room, where a short melodrama, written by Hugh Pope, was performed by the Victorian cast. It contained, of course, a most horrid murder and it fell to the audience to take the part of a jury and decide who was guilty. It was a successful and enjoyable evening, with every ticket sold. Councillor Kirby was delighted with the response, which resulted in a substantial profit to be devoted to the Wents Meadow project for the town.

HANDBELL RINGERS - Joining six other handbell bands of various ages and abilities, Knighton youngsters played a selection of modern, traditional and classical pieces at the Handbell Ringers of Great Britain gathering at Ledbury. The members were Daniel Farmer, Sophie Watts, Sarah Morgan, Megan Lloyd, Jodi Prince and Jodie Bowen. The other bands attending the event travelled from the Vale of Evesham, Malvern, Ledbury and the Welsh Borders.

MOTHERS' UNION - Dressed in colours to represent the different words of nursery rhymes and jingles, Fay Exworth-Dent, member of the Society of Storytellers, outlined the history of such childhood verses to members of Knighton and Norton Mothers' Union and galvanised them into songs from their childhood memories. It was a fascinating meeting which stressed the importance of learning through listening and showed how such rhymes were often pointers to historical events of their times, and reflections of the changing moods of society. Diana Rudge chaired the meeting.The minutes were read by Joan Beattie and a brief report was given by treasurer Joyce Riley.

YMCA - Plans for a Tref-y-Clawed/Knighton YMCA drop-in youth facility are well in hand in part of Knighton Community Centre. Knighton YMCA sees the venture as a place where young people can drop in for social activities and refreshments, rather than as a provider of traditional youth activities. They hope to develop other activities to meet the needs of the young people involved. It is hoped to open the venture on two evenings a week. The venture will be in tandem with the skate park on the old tennis court, for which 80 per cent of the required funding had been secured. The YMCA had made an application to Powys County Council to secure the shortfall. Knighton/Tref-y-Clawed YMCA's chairman, the Rev. Timothy Williams, and vice-chairman, Councillor Ken Harris, were pleased that the efforts of local YMCA members were nearing fruition, and a long-term need of the towns youngsters would be met. In the meantime, the YMCA was busy gathering details of those people willing to help with this facility. In addition to local volunteers they also hoped to find two people, one to act as the regular assistant leader, and the other to act as catering assistant. These were paid positions, and training, as necessary, would be provided. Anyone interested should write directly to David Allen, YMCA Secretary for Wales, Lord Aberdare House, 27 Church Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff. CF14 2DX, telephone 029206 28745, rather than contact local YMCA members.

CARNIVAL PRINCESS DISCO - The disco to choose the Carnival Princess will be on June 9 at the Knighton Hotel. There will be a junior disco from 7pm until 9pm when the Princess's attendants will be decided, and the senior disco from 9pm onwards, when the 2000 Princess will be chosen. The Princess will perform important ceremonial duties at the show on August 26.

WEDNESDAY CLUB - Knighton Wednesday Club met recently at the Social Room in St Edward's Close. Mrs I Leeson, Mrs M Cox, Mrs M Chapman and Mrs W Davies were helpers. There was also a bring-and-buy sale for club funds.

BARN DANCE - Tref-y-Clawdd Rugby Football Club will hold a barn dance on the Stud Farm of the A488 Knighton to Clun road outside Knighton on June 2 from 9.30pm onwards. All proceeds will go towards the running costs of the club.