MEMORIAL HALL LEASE - There was a good turnout in response to the Memorial Hall committee's appeal to attend its public meeting. Two officials from Powys County Hall attended, Alan Whittick, of the community department, and Rob Shelton, of the property department. Chairman Frank Davies, who had been associated with the hall since a young boy, reminded the audience of its management history over the years. Since Powys County Council took over in 1983, it had granted the committee an annual sum to maintain the interior, and this had worked well. Major refurbishment had been possible some years ago, thanks to a special grant of £40,000. Alan Whittick said the 108 community halls in Powys all received some annual revenue for their running, and this would continue under the new lease, which was planned to give the community responsibility for the whole building. If major capital expenditures were needed in the future, these could be funded by application to the Lottery fund, which was no longer available to local authorities. Rob Shelton assured the meeting that the hall car park would continue to be maintained by the highways department. Members of the audience expressed their warm appreciation of the hall as a community facility and of the extremely hard work of the committee who were always helpful and co-operative towards those who hired it. Mr Whittick informed the meeting that the final decision on accepting the new lease remained with the hall management committee.

DEVELOPMENT OFFICER - Lisa Bedford, the new community development officer for East Radnorshire, took up her appointment recently. She is temporarily working from Rhayader until she is provided with a Presteigne office. Her Rhayader telephone number is 01597 810792. She is looking forward to getting to know the area of East Radnorshire, in which she will be responsible for fostering community, youth and tourism development by helping the local organisations to find advice and source grants. On Friday evening, she will be welcomed by the town council at an informal gathering at the Memorial Hall, to which representatives of the town's organisations have been invited.

PARACHUTE JUMP - Presteigne YFC chairman Sean Price and four other past and present pupils of John Beddoes School are training for a sponsored parachute jump on May 27. They aim to raise money for MENCAP and sponsorships will be welcomed.

BEAUTY SPOT - Former Presteigne Carnival Queen, Elaine Arnold, has set up her own salon in Broad Street, to be known as Elaine's Beauty Spot. She is offering a wide range of beauty treatments. Telephone 01544 260610.

KNIGHTS MEETING - A large group of the Catholic men's organisation, the Knights of St Columba, from the Midlands, travelled to Presteigne Catholic Church to hold its meeting so that a severely disabled former member, Reg Huckfield, could be present. Reg, of Knighton and Presteigne Catholic parish, had attended the East Radnorshire Day Centre for many years. A service of Benediction was held afterwards, conducted by Father Bonaventure Welsford and the group's chaplain Father Michael Bonaccorsi, of Bloxwich, Walsall. The Knights of St Columba have as their motto 'Serve God by serving others' and they are committed to social and educational charitable work.