METHODIST CHURCH -- The Rev Michael Langstaff, Superintendent Minister of the Knighton and Leintwardine Circuit, presided at last Sunday's celebration of Holy Communion at Knighton Methodist Church. Mr Langstaff based his address on the account of Jesus' healing of the 10 lepers, only one of whom - a Samaritan - came back to Jesus to give thanks for being healed. He explained that the Samaritan was doubly and outcast - both for being a leper and, in Jewish circles, for being a Samaritan; yet Jesus broke down these barriers. "The breaking down of barriers which divide us it at the heart of the Christian faith." explained Mr Langstaff. Circuit steward Ray Lloyd introduced the services and gave the notices. He said that members of the Methodist Church had taken part in the Churches Together in Knighton and District float at the Show and Carnival on the previous day. "It was refreshing to see the churches working together," said Mr Lloyd. The organist was David Hinton. The Knighton and Leintwardine Methodist Circuit includes churches in Knighton, Builth Wells, Llanbister, Leintwardine and Lingen. The church in Builth was, until recently, part of an ecumenical project with the Baptist, Presbyterian and United Reformed Churches. The church left the Joint Pastorate last September because of differences between its own aims and those of the other three churches. Though membership of the Builth church is only 16, it is very active in the community, and up to 35 attend evening services.

BOWLING CLUB -- Knighton Bowling Club's coffee morning on Saturday August 23, held in the clubhouse, was a great success. Mid Wales President Miss L Parker MBE and Ladies' captain Mrs J Watts thanked everyone for their help and support. The following won prizes: door prize, Mrs D Lewis of Llandrindod Wells; 'Smarties' jar, Mr B Dolman; raffle Eirlys Spawton; Miss M Roberts, Sue Jones and Julia Watts. Brian Dolman entertained everyone present by auctioning certain items. The bowling club's next coffee morning will be in December.

EXAMINATION SUCCESSES -- In the recent piano examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, the following candidates were successful: Katie Tranter (grade 4), Guy Rochefort (grade 3), Holly Davies (grade 3); Jenny Gunning (grade 3); Kathy Price (grade 2, distinction); Lauren Williams (grade 2); Charlotte Goodwin (grade 2); Natalie Mills (grade 2); Kate Mayglothling (grade 1, merit), Marnie Williams (grade 1), Zo Penlington (grade 1); Megan Taylor (grade 1); Lewis Edwards (grade 1). All are pupils of Jane Milward of Knighton.

SHOW AND CARNIVAL -- "Music! Music! Music!" was the theme for Knighton Show and Carnival this year, and entries in both the afternoon and evening processions showed great ingenuity in giving a visual image to something which is invisible. The musical icons of today and yesterday were out in force - Spice Girls, The Three Degrees, Madness, The Three Tenners (sic), Ozzie Osbourne and David Bowie to name but a few and, of course, The Beatles and The King himself, Elvis Presley, who appeared in several of his many guises. Even Concorde dropped in for the evening procession, by courtesy of the Gerrard family and friends, with the sweet music of its engines clearly audible. The procession was led by Knighton Town Silver Band and the Newtown Youth Marching Corps, whose lively routines have become an established part of the carnival processions, also featured. For the evening procession they were joined by the Welsh Piping Association drum and bagpipe band who brought up the rear in style. The show president and deputy mayor, Councillor Jan Harris, rode in style in a pink Cadillac along with Elvis in another of his manifestations, while Knighton mayor and town crier, Councillor Derek Price, marched in front of the parade in his full regalia. The mid-day procession featured a parade of classic cars, military vehicles, agricultural tractors and a steam traction engine. The day began in clear sunshine with St Edward's bellringers making their contribution by ringing a full peal. Later on there were a few showers but these did not dampen the enthusiasm of the crowds who enjoyed a breathtaking display of skateboarding, rollerblading and BMXing by Teme Extreme, African dancing by Brekete, Jolly's Circus and many other attractions. The sheep were back for the first time since the foot and mouth epidemic of 2001 and supreme champion was Mr D G Morris of the Well House, Knighton, with a Suffolk ewe lamb. The horticultural, floral and handicrafts show in the community centre showed what an immense range of talent there is in the community, and in the Drill Hall there was a craft fair and display of model railways, and Knighton Writers Group had the latest anthology of members work on sale. Later in the afternoon there was a breathtaking balloon ascent from the showfield by Espiritu of Shropshire, and the day finished with a spectacular display of fireworks on Bryn-y-Castell and the well-supported show night dance at the community centre with Lady DJ.