COMMUNITY CENTRE - Dr Keith Ackermann, Chairman of the Management Committee, reviewed Knucklas Community Centre's eventful year at the recent annual meeting of Knucklas Community Centre. He said that the functions organised by the Management Committee had generally been successful and well supported by the community. The Funday had been a popular event, as had the fireworks evening which had been attended by over 300 people. The fireworks event was very expensive to put on and was intended as a community event rather than a fundraiser, but nevertheless it had made a small profit and he felt that the Committee had been justified in increasing the admission charge to that event. An innovation had been a garden party at Dr Ackermann's home, Heyope Rectory, and this had been well received. A quiz evening had been enjoyed by all ages, but a beetle drive had not been so successful due in part to the postponement of the event due to a power failure. There had also been a Christmas demonstration, which had been much appreciated. The Teme Valley Gardeners' Club, Heyope Ladies' Guild, Art Group and 1st Knucklas Scouts continued to meet at the Centre regularly and, under the new constitution, would be entitled to representation on the Committee. The Centre was also the venue for Yoga and Art Classes organised by Powys County Council. Under the terms of an agreement with the County Council the Centre had to accommodate these classes free of charge, but the Centre did receive a grant towards running costs from the Council. Both classes were well attended. 'Save the Children' had funded a playgroup at the Centre, and the committee had taken this over following the withdrawal of 'Save the Children'" from the project. The committee had employed Christine Martin on a part-time basis as playgroup organiser and this had cost the centre about £900, but the playgroup would shortly close because of the low number of pre-school age children in the community whose parents wished to use the facility. Mrs Martin had also been employed as fundraiser, and she had obtained a £1,800 grant for the purchase of new tables and chairs. A major item in the committee's work over the last year had been the negotiating with Powys County Council for a new lease which would give the Committee responsibility for the entire building. Powys County Council had accepted that a schedule of condition would be incorporated into the lease. Eventually the centre would become a charitable trust, and this would make it eligible to apply for grants which would not be available to the county council. The committee had responded to requests from the community's youngsters for a tennis court. Powys County Council had suggested a hard surface, multi-purpose games area, as grant funding would more likely be available for such a project. The committee was drawing up plans, getting quotations and seeking out possible sources of funding, but it would be some time before the committee was able to go ahead with the project. Dr Ackermann thanked his fellow committee members for their support throughout the year. The meeting adopted Powys County Council's proposed constitution and accepted the 30-year lease on the building. The name 'Knucklas and District Community Centre' would continue as the name of the new charity. Dr Keith Ackermann was elected chairman, Lesley Davies as vice-chairman, Kevin Kell as secretary and Colin Evans as treasurer. Anne Leighfield, Elaine Powell, Lottie O'Leary and Mrs Stuart Davies were elected to the committee.. At the committee meeting which followed Robert Forbath, Neil Davies, Julie Sharp and Raymond Davies were co-opted onto the committee. Mr Forbath was elected publicity officer, Mr Stuart Davies as site officer, and Neil Davies as youth representative.

FORTHCOMING events --Forthcoming events at Knucklas Community Centre are: Saturday, June 29: 5 a side football tournament for 8 to 14 year olds. Starts at 2pm. To book your team please ring Mr Neil Davies on 01547 528318. Saturday, July 27: Knucklas Funday. Saturday, August 17: Garden Party for Knucklas Community Centre at Heyope Rectory. Saturday, October 19: Ceilidh with Bogtrotters at Community Centre. Saturday, November 2: Fireworks Nite.

BAPTIST CHURCH -- Services at Knucklas Baptist Church are at 6.30pm on Sundays, and this will be the pattern in June except on Sunday, June 30 when there will be a joint service at Saint David's Church, Heyope, with Knucklas's Baptist Minister, The Reverend Stephen Wood, as guest preacher. Sunday, June 9 is the church's anniversary service when the Rev. S. Roberts will be guest preacher. Mr Wood will take the services on June 16 and 23, and that on June 23 will include Communion.

FIRST KNUCKLAS SCOUT GROUP --

Knucklas Scout Group held its annual meeting on 22nd May. Attendance was very poor, but there was a quorum. Akela Jean Linaker reported on Cub Scout activities, and Emma Martin on Scout and Beaver activities. George Linaker gave the treasurer's report, and said that he hoped there would be further income from Gift Aid. Funds were quite healthy but the treasurer pointed out that £1,020 had already been paid this year to the Scout Association for the annual registration fee, which was levied at the rate of £20 per child and regular leader or helper. Group officials were elected as follows: Chairman, Kevin Kell; Secretary, Christine Martin; Treasurer, George Linaker; and Auditor Cedric Egby, who audited the last year's accounts.Radnor County Leader trainer Geoffrey Broadis presented Jean Linaker with her 'wood badge' training award, which involved attendance at courses over the last few years at different county venues.Refreshments were served, and then George Linaker gave a slide presentation of gardens in England and Wales. These included Powis Castle, Hergest Croft Gardens, Eardisland and Llandudno.

CUB SCOUTS -- Knucklas Cub Scouts will attend the All Wales Cub Scout Funday at the Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, on Saturday June 8th. There will be exhibitions, competitions and games for everyone. Cub Scouts will wear a special badge and have a 'passport' to take around. The general theme is 'space'. The Cub Scouts went on a Saturday morning hike round Knucklas and Heyope which ended at lunch in Heyope Churchyard. Jordan Griffiths was enrolled as a Cub Scout and made his promise. On May 17 the Cub Scouts visited Knighton Parish Church. Priest in Charge of East Radnor, the Rev. Andrew Pearce, explained the meaning of the altar, pulpit, font and stained glass windows. The Cubs found it all most interesting and the hour passed very quickly.

SCOUTS -- Knucklas Scouts had a very busy time last month which included attendance at the Saint George's Day parade at Heyope, one day hikes, a camp at Hoddel farm, Kinnerton where it rained, snowed and blew a gale, but in spite of this the youngsters enjoyed themselves. The Scouts thank Julian Salmon for letting them use his land for their cam, and will return for another visit in September. The Scouts next excursion was to take part in the County Camp held at Cwm-y-Gerwyn Camp Site, Bleddfa, which was donated to the Radnorshire Scouts by the late Sir Robert Green Price (3rd baronet). The Scouts competed for two trophies, and there were six teams entered in all. Knucklas had two teams. One of the Knucklas teams, led by Nick Paviour, won the cooking competition, and came joint first with one of the Glasbury teams for the camping cup. Scouting is changing. The ages of the various sections are: Beavers 6 - 8 years; Cubs 8 - 10.5 years; Scouts 10.5 to 14 years; Explorers 14 - 18 years; Network 18 - 25 years. All 14 year olds will be encouraged to enter for the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards, and the Queen's Scout Award. In Explorers youngsters can gain four certificates, and in Network 7 certificates, all of which can go into their record of achievement folders which can help in obtaining employment. Future events include a visit to see Her Majesty the Queen on her visit tot Dolau on June 12th, the All Wales Scout Camp in Builth in July; summer camp in the Gower in August, lots of one day hikes, and the Septober camp at Cwm-y-Gerwyn and Hoddell farm. In 2003 Knucklas Scouts will go on a 10 day adventure camp in France, and in 2004 on a 14 day camp and hike along Hadrian's Wall. Both of these are being organised by the Glasbury Scout Leaders.

INNER WHEEL --Knucklas Scouts thank the Inner Wheel Club for their kind donation to Scout Funds. Scout Leader Anne Leighfield and Scout Emma Martin greatly enjoyed giving a talk to the Club on Scouting.