TOWN COUNCIL -- At the meeting of Presteigne and Norton Town Council in September, John Stocker, headmaster of John Beddoes School, gave a presentation on 16-plus education. The Welsh Assembly's National Council for education -- known as Education and Learning Wales, or ELWa -- is in process of planning new guidelines for Life Long Learning. This will include all those over the age of 16 years, school -leaving age. Their draft plan has been circulated to all schools, including John Beddoes, so that head teachers may put forward their comments and ideas. Mr Stocker welcomed the good relationship which exists between John Beddoes and the town. Pointing out that after 16 years of age, children come back on a voluntary basis to the Sixth Form, he said that already changes were afoot. These will replace A Levels by the new AS and A2 exams. Changes would also come in the funding provided for Sixth Forms, and this could put John Beddoes School at a disadvantage. However, the National Assembly was committed to the idea of Life Long Learning, which would also include vocational training, and hoped to see a massive expansion of learning opportunities.This could be the key to the way forward. Re-developing a portion of the school buildings and its surroundings in the future could make it possible to bring into the Presteigne area further educational and ancillary facilities for 16-plus and adult learning. Mr Stocker said he was keen to put forward to ELWa a plan from the school and community, saying they must make a reality of what they consider a dream.

DENTIST -- Councillors expressed increasing concern at the lack of a dentist in Presteigne. Councillors agreed that in view of the 2,000 patients served by the previous Presteigne dentist, a further letter should be addressed to the health authority to demand action.

FLOOD PREVENTION MEASURES -- On their recent 'town walk', councillors had noted improvements made to Flood Prevention Measures in Lugg View by the highways and housing department of Powys County Council. A light had been installed over the culvert to aid inspection during the night, and other works had been carried out to carry away any flood water. PUBLIC MID BORDER ARTS --Members gathered for their annual soiree at the Assembly Rooms, a social occasion with entertainment provided by several of the members, and an excellent buffet by Tania Dufort. Ruth Stewart played three pieces by Chopin, and members of the MBA Writers Circle showed their paces by reading a few of their recently-composed poems and prose. They were followed by a lively performance on the dulcimer by Sue Harris. Barbara and Michael Neal gave a short excerpt from Oscar Wilde and the evening concluded with a rousing session by members of RAD Jazz Inc. CONCERT -- The prestigious Trirhenum Symphony Orchestra of Basle, Switzerland, visit St Andrew's Church, Presteigne, on Sunday at 7.30pm. Its programme includes Rossini's Overture to the Barber of Seville, Double Concerto for Violin and Cello in A minor by Brahms with soloists, Dominic Stark and Lea Hosch, and, finally, Dvorak's Symphony No 8. The conductor is Julian Gibbons. Tickets are available from the Hat Shop, Capriole Music in Leominster, and Peter Gibbons, Roseland, Broad Street, Presteigne, on 01544 260551.