SAINT EDWARD'S CHURCH - Father Andrew Pearce celebrated Eucharist for the 1st Sunday of Epiphany at Saint Edward's Church last Sunday. In his sermon Father Andrew explained that the great festival of the Epiphany had come, in the Western Church, to commemorate the coming of the Magi or Wise Men. Originally the festival, whose name derives from the Greek word for manifestation or showing forth, was understood in much broader way, and this is retained in the Eastern Church where the festival marks Christ's baptism in the Jordan at the start of his ministry, and his first public miracle where he changed the water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana. All these events have a common theme Father Andrew Explained as they all served to reveal Christ's true nature. In the Western Church this ancient tradition has recently been recovered, and Christ's baptism is now commemorated on the Sunday following Epiphany. Councillor Ken Harris and Mr Peter Waters read the lessons. Mrs Hilary Howcroft directed the saint Edward's Choir which led the congregation in Murray musical setting for the Eucharist. Mr Cecil Rudge was organist.

BURNS NIGHT CELEBRATION -There will a celebration with a Burns Night theme at Knighton Community Centre on Saturday, January 24, at 7.30pm. Katt Williams and Katie Mohamed will provide the entertainment, and there will, of course, be the traditional cutting of the haggis. Tickets are £6 and this includes a light supper of haggis and root vegetables with alternatives to haggis available. There will be licensed bar. Tickets are available from the Community Centre Secretary, Kevin Kell, at 5 Swan Court Knighton or on 01547 528011.

FARMERS MARKET - The next Knighton Farmers and Community Market will be on Saturday, January 24, from 10am to 1pm at Knighton Community Centre. A wide range of produce will be available. Enquires should go to Kevin Kell on 01574 528011.

KNIGHTON CHAMBER - Problems with bad behaviour on Knighton's streets and associated vandalism, the town's pre-Christmas extravaganza, a broken window and the Museum and Gallery Trust were the wide-ranging topics that Knighton Chamber of Trade discussed at its January meeting. Members were pleased that the police would install a surveillance system in the town and they hoped that this would curb the vandalism and bad behaviour which has plagued the Knighton town centre in recent years, and which is particularly apparent late at night. A letter from the town council asking for a donation towards the Christmas lights was discussed but members comments were not favourable. The town council requested support for a proposed second business fair. The retail and craft exhibits at the fair, members felt, were not financially viable as the public did not attend in sufficient numbers. Members of the Chamber of Trade decided not to support the proposal. The Chamber was concerned that a window on a retail premises in High Street that was broken several months ago has not been repaired. Members felt that this did not help trade in that part of the town and was a danger to pedestrians . And on a more positive note, the Chamber was told that a number of copies of the Guide to Knighton published in 1981 had been found, and members agreed to sell these to raise funds for the Museum and Gallery Trust.

DEATH OF ARTIST - Artist, actor, poet and author Jeff Nutall, who had a number of connections with the area, died recently at his home in Abergavenny. He was born at Clitheroe in Lancashire but attended Hereford School of Art and taught for a time in Leominster. His best known role as an actor was as Friar Tuck in the 1991 film Robin Hood. Knighton artist Islwyn Watkins worked with Nutall and several other artists to create sTigma, a major installation in London in 1965, and this partnership was renewed in 2000 when they did Mertz Jam in Brecon Museum. He wrote Bomb Culture in 1968 and the novel Snipe's Sister in 1975.

MUSEUM AND GALLERY TRUST - Knighton Museum and Gallery trust has made around £800 from the sale of items of woodware by John Weale, and items of needlework by Mary Long. The trustees thank the estate of the late John Weale for its generous donation of items made by Mr Weale. There are still a few left, and they are available at the Offa's Dyke Antiques' Centre in High Street.

WHITTON WI - Whitton Women's Institute held their meeting in the new extension to the Community Hall. The Christmas dinner, where some committee members entertained with a mini pantomime, was voted a success. The WI was congratulated on their efficiency in serving refreshments at the annual Christmas concert. The president welcomed Mrs Ella Dyfflli a new member. The members were moved to write a letter to Knighton and District Health Committee concerning the lack of emergency services in the local area. A member who is Whitton's link with a WI in New Zealand brought along some gifts she had received from them. The guest speaker/demonstrator for the month was Harriet Hill who gave a presentation on felt making. Everyone found this ancient craft very interesting. Felt is really matted wool, and Harriet particularly liked to used dyed Merino wool. Nomads use it for lining their tents. Harriet gives workshops and brought along some lovely samples of her work. She was thanked by D. Mills who was hostess with M. Phillips. The raffle was won by B. Muggleton.

TREF-Y-CLAWDD WI - Tref-y-Clawdd WI met as usual in the Norton Street Baptist Church schoolroom on Wednesday, January 3, the first Wednesday of the month.

Mrs Norma Hughes, one of Tref-y-Clawdd's artistic members brought many small items for members to draw. She briefly discussed light and shade. The resultant evening was very informal and chatty, and much enjoyed by all. The best artistic efforts were produced by Jane Ellwood, Margaret Dean and Eve Williams. Raffle prizes were won by Hilda Jones and Edna Weir. Visitors will be welcome on Wednesday, February 4, at 7.30pm at the same venue.

BRUCE KENT TALK - Bruce Kent, chair of the Movement for the Abolition of War and former chair of CND, will give a talk at Knighton Community Centre on Sunday February 8, at 7.30pm. The event is being organised by Knighton Action for Peace and Justice, and admission is free. Anyone wishing to know more about this event should telephone 01547 528833.

PLANNING APPEAL REFUSED - The Planning Inspectorate has dismissed an appeal against a refusal by Powys County Council to permit a dwelling on a site in Knucklas Road, Knighton despite Knighton Town Council's support for the appellant. The site was once occupied by a wooden bungalow called Greenways and formerly known as Dike View. The Planning Inspector, Mr Bill Barnes, LLM LMRTPI, visited the site on December 2, 2003. In dismissing the appeal he states in his report that the development is outside the settlement limit of Knighton and in attractive open countryside. He considers that any development of the site would be contrary to the Powys County Structure Plan, the Radnorshire Local Plan, and current Welsh Assembly planning policy all of which state that dwellings should not be constructed outside settlement limits, unless they are essential for workers in agriculture, forestry or other appropriate rural employment.