FESTIVAL POSTSCRIPT -- In its 21st anniversary year, and under the artistic direction of George Vass, Presteigne Festival has now become well-established as one of the leading contemporary music festivals in the country, with visitors arriving from overseas as well as Kington and Knighton! Musical standards of performance were exceptionally high this year, with the Festival Orchestra and individual soloists, throughout the extended weekend, producing first class, exciting performances. The brilliant playing of violinist Katherine Gowers in Robin Holloway's Romanza for Violin and Orchestra and Canadian soprano Gillian Keith's premiere performance of A Garland for Presteigne were certainly two of the highlights. But there were many more. The more 'traditionally' minded in the audiences were not forgotten - with a series of Brahms' 'Perspectives', Bach in St Mary's at Kinnerton and St Stephen's, Old Radnor, Schubert's Mass in G in St. Andrew's (with the Joyful Company of Singers), and a splendid last night performance of Beethoven's Symphony no. 8. A great weekend... and roll on August 26, 2004!

FLORAL ART -- Presteigne & Borders Floral Art Society start their autumn programme with a demonstration by Sheila Hand of Evesham, entitled The Third Season next Wednesday at 7.30 in the Memorial Hall Presteigne. The competition (open to all), is Shades of Autumn. The evening is free to members, and visitors are welcome, entry £3. Contributions of plants for the sales table would be most welcome. Tickets for the musical evening, with cheese and wine, on Friday, October 17, will be on sale. For further information, contact Avril Hoyle, 01547 529244.

FOOTBALL '100 CLUB' -- The August draw took place last Friday and the winners were: Ernie Goodman - £100; Win Sparey - £50; Ron Hughes - £25; Len Hanslow - £15; and Frank Evans - £10. With the new football season the '100 Club' is also at the start of its' new year. The draw takes place on the last Friday evening of each month, in various Presteigne pubs. The September draw, on Friday, September 26, will be at The Bull. Old and new members are very welcome, and can get more information from club chairman, Alan Randall on 01544 260485, or club treasurer, Bill Weiland on 01544 260488. Members, and prospective members, are reminded that the annual subscription of £25 is now due - and should be paid before the first draw on September 26. There is £200 prize money each month!

CIVIC SERVICE -- Mayor Peggy Fraser-Scott and members of the town council will be holding the civic service in St Andrew's Church, Presteigne, next Wednesday at 7.30 pm. The service will be conducted by the Rector, the Rev Stephen Hollinghurst, and Father Andrew Pearce, from Knighton, will give the sermon. Readers at the service will be the Rev Suzanne Roberts and Councillor Evelyn Davies. Everyone in Presteigne and Norton is warmly invited to attend, and the collection will be given to St Andrew's Church and the Cystic Fibrosis Society. Buffet refreshments and wine will follow the service.

SURGERY NEWS -- We have an 'early warning' from Presteigne Surgery that on Thursday and Friday, October 2 and 3, there will be emergency cover only, while a new computer system is being installed. There will be no routine appointments on those two days, nor - very importantly - access to the surgery computer for repeat prescriptions. So patients are requested to kindly plan ahead, and order their repeat prescriptions in plenty of time before that two-day period. Medical cover for emergencies will, of course, be maintained during the computer changeover, and emergency patients can telephone (01544 267985) or visit the surgery as usual. The surgery thanks all their patients for their co-operation during the changeover - and let's hope it all goes smoothly for the staff.

FOOTBALL CLUB -- Presteigne St Andrew's Football Club's new season is now well under way - fielding two senior, and three junior, teams. Chairman Alan Randall is looking for volunteers - people to help on the gate, serve refreshments etc. - to ensure each match day runs smoothly, so if you would like to help the teams contact Alan on 01544 260485. Also, if you would be interested in helping the club by sponsoring a match, or equipment (e.g. a football), again contact Alan, and come along to support your teams. The club owns its own ground, but always needs to raise funds throughout the season, so your help - in any way - would be most welcome.

NATURAL HEALTH CENTRE -- On the first Saturday in every month Presteigne Natural Health Centre, at The Old Surgery in St David's Street, holds a 'drop-in' clinic, which offers free advice on a range of treatments. The next clinic is on Saturday, September 6, from 10am to mid-day, when the therapist on duty will be Milly Cain. Milly is an experienced practitioner, who has worked in the community for many years promoting natural health care. Her main areas of practice are massage, relaxation therapy and Reiki. There are currently seven therapists working from the centre, practising acupuncture, Bowen technique, reflexology, homeopathy, massage, reiki therapy, osteopathy and shiatsu.