Presteigne

Norton Christian Fellowship at the East Radnor Day Centre, Presteigne: Meeting at 10.30 am. Traditional Anglican at 7, Hereford St., Presteigne: Eucharist at 10 am.

PLAY GROUP - Presteigne's 'Little People's Play Group' has been selected to offer free places for three year-olds living in Powys, providing an opportunity for families in this area. The play group runs from 9.45 am to 12.15 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and the places are funded by the Welsh Assembly. Louisa Collins, Committee member of the group, said: "We are a thriving group, with lots of enthusiasm and creativity. This will enable parents to access this service for free, and we are very excited about the boost that this will give to the group and local community." The places will be allocated on a 'first come, first served' basis, and informal visits are welcome. Parents who are interested in finding out more can contact Jan Hadfield (after 2 pm) on 01544 260368.

LITTLE RODD ART EXHIBITION - An exciting exhibition of home-grown and more far flung art is to be on display at Little Rodd (between Presteigne and Titley) over the Presteigne Festival weekend from Friday, August 22, to Monday, August 25. The sale of works from the exhibition will be in aid of the renovation of St Mary's Church at Pilleth, with 30 per cent of all sales revenue going towards the Restoration Fund. Restoration is now well under way, with St. Mary's still swathed in plastic, and the Friends of Pilleth hope that the work will be completed at the beginning of 2004. The ancient church stands on Bryn Glas Hill overlooking the Lugg and the site of the Battle of Pilleth, where, in 1402, Owain Glyndwr defeated Edmund Mortimer. But the origins of the church go back much further - to an early Celtic Christian site with its Holy Well, which is being restored along with the church. The home-grown host artist, Juliet Boobbyer, and her sister Mary Rodd, will be showing oils, etchings and watercolours; while, newly arrived in this area, Julienne Braham will show watercolour and oils of interiors, still life and landscapes, and Anthea Stilwell - oil, watercolour and drawings of figures, landscapes and still life. Amongst many more exhibitors, working in paint, wood-turning, forged metal and sculpture, will be family contributors Thomasina Beck and her son, Thomas Beck. The exhibition will be open from 11 am to 5 pm each day, and with tea, cakes and coffee available.

PRESTEIGNE FESTIVAL - During the Festival David and Sara Bamford will be holding an exhibition of Oriental rugs and kilims in their show-rooms at The Workhouse on Presteigne Industrial Estate. The exhibition will be open daily from 10 am until 6 pm from August 21 until August 26. There will be carpets, textiles and cushions available as well as carpets and kilims, so telephone 01544 267849 for other information and details.

GARDEN OPENS - Prestemede's new Sensory Garden was opened last Friday, August 8, on an afternoon of brilliant sunshine and considerable warmth. Indeed, Mayor Peggy Fraser-Scott, residents, families and friends retired indoors to some welcome shade for the official opening of the garden. Home manager Sylvia Illingsworth welcomed everyone to Prestemede, and extended a special thank you to Peggy Fraser-Scott, secretary of Presteigne Gardening Club, members of the Young Farmers Club, and all the other people who have worked so hard over the last few months, also to Mr Frank Evans who produced computer graphics and a collage of the garden, as well as giving up many hours of their time to work on the garden. Many thanks were also due to Mr Haydn Price, donor of the new fish pond, to Mr Chris Davies for laying the paving slabs and to Mr Islwyn Bithell for providing a photographic record of the development of the garden. The residents had enjoyed watching the progress of the new garden and had welcomed the Gardening Club and Young Farmers into Prestemede for a chat and refreshments during the hot weather. The Mayor said what a real pleasure it had been to work on the garden and declared the Sensory Garden officially open. The garden has been planted up with herbs, honeysuckle, clematis and other scented plants, together with bamboos to provide a gentle rustle. While clearing and cleaning the old pond 12 goldfish had been discovered, all of whom had weathered their move to the new pond satisfactorily, and seemed to have settled in well. The opening was followed by a Garden Party and refreshments. After all the work and expense the project had finished on budget, with BUPA having given £500 and with many other kind donations.

Prestemede now has a garden which will develop, and which the residents will enjoy, through the years.

ARTS AND CRAFTS - Lingen is holding its' annual Arts and Crafts exhibition and sale over the Bank Holiday weekend of August 23-26. Each year the exhibition (the Arts all inclusive group) surpasses the previous year, with exhibits of excellent quality and also very good teas. The exhibition will be in the Village Hall from 10 am to 5.30 pm each day.

LIBRARY EVENT - Children's author Ian Whybrow visited Presteigne Library on Thursday, August 7, and was met by an absolutely packed house with over 50 children, and many parents, taking up every seat and much of the floor space. A prolific author, with over 60 books to his credit, Ian is well known for his children's books including Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs, Harry and the Robots and The Little Wolf series and various books of poetry also entertained and talked with the assembled children for over an hour. He read several of his poems, a mix of the gory and the rude, very appealing to children, one on the after-effects of eating baked beans and also the Tadpole Poem, going down very well. Details of the agony nephew column from the Wolf Weekly in the Little Wolf series, with advice on cub-sitting and other wolvish problems, created particular interest. Ian was very interested to hear about the summer holiday scheme, the Reading Maze, which many of his young audience were involved in. For all those children who complete the Maze there will be a medal and certificate at the end of the holidays. After signing copies of some of his books Ian left, rather late, for an appointment in Hay-on-Wye, but promising to meet many of his audience again, when he visits Presteigne Primary School in September.

SWEET SUMMER SOUNDS - On Sunday, August 17, the Friends of St Michael's, Discoed, are presenting Sounds and Sweet Airs, music for a summer evening with Arcady, in St. Michael's Church, at 8 pm. The very well known local group, Arcady, comprises Lynden Rees-Roberts - soprano, Alison James - alto, Julian Robbins - tenor, lute and guitar, and Gareth Rees-Roberts - bass, lute and guitar. Tickets, £5, are available from Winnies and on the door, and include a glass of wine during the interval.

HORSE SHOW - Sunday, August 17, is the day of the Lingen and District Horse Show and Gymkhana and a special Exemption Dog Show will be taking place at Coombe Corner, Presteigne. This is the second year running that the event has been held at Coombe, and the organisers are hoping for an equally successful occasion as last year's... or even better. The day officially begins at 10 am, and with the first classes in the Dog Show starting after lunch, at 2 pm. Car parking will be well sign-posted. For entrance details and information telephone 01568 770560 or 01544 267385.

PRESTEIGNE FAIR - The project to improve the Youth Centre on Hereford Street is well under way, and the Youth Management and Community Centre Committee are planning to hold a Fair and Fun Day on Bank Holiday Monday, August 25, on Wente's Meadow from 2 to 6 pm. There will be various stalls of plants, cakes, a bouncy castle, and a fancy dress competition for the children at 3.30 pm. Community Support will also be having a table to raise funds and advertise their services. There will also be a duck dive so come along to Wente's Meadow and find out just what a Duck Dive is.