UNITED SERVICE - Speaking at an ecumenical service at Knighton Methodist Church last Sunday, Father Andrew Pearce said that the theology group had discussed the challenge the great and sudden tragedy in South East Asia put to the church. Father Andrew went on to say that images which had the most impact were not those of destruction, of wobbly camcorder shots of the tsunami sweeping all before it, powerful as those images were. "What impacted on us most were the individual stories of courage and selfishness.'' Rev Michael Langstaff led the service which was organised by Churches Together in Knighton and District to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. During Advent the constituent churches collected for Send a Cow, a Christian organisation which provides livestock and training to poverty stricken farmers in seven African countries. The gifts, totalling £1,105, were presented during the service, and will be used to purchase one cow, two goats, two pigs, one hive of bees and 100 fruit trees for needy farmers in East Africa to support them in the their endeavours to help themselves.

Mrs Audrey Green and Mr Bryan Leonard read the lessons, and Mrs Joan Beattie was organist. A collection at the service raised £130 for the tsunami appeal.

CIVIC SERVICE - The Mayor of Knighton, Councillor Jan Harris, members of Knighton Town Council and of the town's organisations, will attend Saint Edward's Church for the annual civic service on Sunday at 3pm.

COFFEE MORNING - There will a coffee morning for Saint Edward's Junior Church on Saturday from 10.30am to 12noon in the Church Hall. There will be a raffle, cake stall, bring and buy and nearly new stall.

CONCERT - There will be a concert for Saint David's Day on Tuesday, March 1, at Saint Edward's Church featuring Rhayader Male Voice Choir and guests. The event will start at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5 and are available from members of the church. Proceeds will go to Saint Edward's Church.

DISCO FOR APPEAL - There will be a disco with Lady DJ for the tsunami appeal at Knighton Community Centre on Saturday, January 29, from 9.30pm to 1am. The committee regrets that only those aged 16 years or over will be admitted to the dance and only those aged over 18 years will be admitted to the bar.

FARMERS MARKET - Knighton Farmers and Community Market will be on Saturday at Knighton Community Centre from 10am to 1pm. All the usual stalls will be there with some new ones as well. The market greatly appreciated the junior band's playing at the Christmas market.

KNUCKLAS BAPTIST CHURCH - This Sunday's service at Knucklas Baptist Church will be led by Mr Arthur Mason of Leominster, and will be at 6.30pm. On Sunday, January 30, also at 6.30pm, the service will be led by prospective minister the Reverend Mrs Maggie Rich from Manchester Northern College.

YOUTH CLUB - Monaughty Circle Youth Club, which includes young people from several villages near Knighton, have had their biggest success so far in raising funds for Hope House Children's Hospice.

Each year they go carol-singing to raise money. This year their effort was a huge success. Eleven members and five adult helpers raised £200 singing carols in the small hamlet of Llangunllo. Leader Stuart Pettifer said: "Thanks to the generosity of Llangunllo people, we raised a record £160. An anonymous donation of £40 afterwards brought the total to £200 for the hospice. This is the best ever from our small but generous community."

The carol-singing tour included a surprise refreshment stop at the Old Vicarage House for mince pies and hot drinks. Afterwards the group went to the home of leader Wendy for mince pies, party food and mulled wine.