MidBorder News Winter 2020

Inside this Bumper 24 Page Winter Issue you will find: local news from Kington, Presteigne and Knighton, a new Interview feature, latest Covid-19 information, articles from The Friends of Radnor Fforest, Freemasons, Kington Lions, Presteigne Repair & Skill Share; council pages from Kington and Knighton, recycling information, dates & times of local markets, Brilley Flicks in the Sticks, Kington Medical Centre update, some lovely photos and a few things to amuse you.

Diolch Fawr (Big Thanks) Do you know someone who deserves Big Thanks? let us know and we will print their name alongside a flowery photo. It can be an individual, business, service or voluntary group. Here’s the first one: The MidBorder News recently benefitted from some excellent advice from Sarah Morgan, a PR, sales and marketing consultant who recently moved to Kington. Sarah kindly gave us some of her valuable time and expertise. Diolch Fawr Sarah!

New Business Directory In spring we are launching our new Business Directory which will offer local services and businesses an affordable entry of up to 70 words for just ÂŁ10 per issue. This will be a resource for people to refer to whenever they need a plumber, massage, cake, bag of spuds, takeaway meal, accountant, bunch of flowers, handyman/woman or anything else that our wonderful local businesses provide. Get in touch now and help us to promote you midbordernews@gmail.com Photo: Hay Bluff by Stewart Roberts See more on Instagram sturoberts2

Editorial Welcome to the winter issue: four months for the price of three! We are changing our publishing dates to be a bit more seasonal, so from next year we will be bringing out the spring issue in March, summer in June, autumn in September and winter in December. Our first year as the MidBorder News has been an interesting one; we changed the name in February to reflect our increased distribution from Kington to Presteigne and Knighton but the intended launch party was scuppered by the lockdown. The summer and autumn issues of necessity focused on covid-19 information and how our local communities rose magnificently to the challenge. Now we are in the grip of the second wave of infection and perhaps we are all feeling weary of the extra precautions, masks, hand washing, social distancing and indeed loneliness of the restrictions we have been living with for the past six months. But we must persevere: now is not the time to give up. These measures are designed to save lives and that makes every one of us an important part of the ongoing fight to defeat this virus. Now that over a million people globally have died, and even though we in this border area have had low infection rates, we must carry on. I wear a mask to protect you; you wear a mask to protect me. This is how we look after each other as a community.

Llanandras Care

Annie Vickerstaff Editor

Private professional nursing care service, providing individualized support in the comfort of your own home.

Confidential, diverse care given with dignity and respect following full assessment.

For more information please telephone 01544 267852 or 01544 327692

Advertising in the MidBorder News Please note new prices for 2021 and new publishing dates Advertising rates per 3-monthly issue Business Directory entry max 70 words £10 Quarter page £32 Half page £55 Full page £125 Full back £135 Half back £65 Full page advertorial £150 Bespoke design of full colour ad £15 Contact us for 10% discount on more than one issue. If you advertise with us you get free inclusion in the Business Directory and lots of exposure on our Facebook page which is updated several times a week. Perfect for your special offers, new products, changes to opening hours etc.

New Dates. Published quarterly at the beginning of March (spring), June (summer), September (autumn) and December (winter). Copy deadline is 15th of preceding month: February, May, August and November. The winter 2020 issue will cover November to end February. Distributed to venues in and around Kington, Knighton and Presteigne.

Contact us: midbordernews@gmail.com

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Kington Lions Roar As Kington Lions were unable to meet face to face from March onwards this year, several things we had planned throughout the summer unfortunately were cancelled. Zoom meetings proved hilarious but productive. In the interim, our President Tony Collier accepted the position of Zone Chairperson with responsibilities of overseeing Kington, Llandrindod Wells, Brecon, Hay on Wye and Hereford Lions Clubs.

Tony stepped down as our President but he is very much an active member of Kington Lions. The new President is Doug Clarke. Under Doug’s Presidency we managed to have a Lion’s Den garage sale which generated funds to help Elly Ingram on her sponsored walk to raise money and awareness for Water Aid. Unfortunately our car wash Saturday was literally a wash out. But we will organise another as soon as we can.

Some of Kington Lions took Kington Primary School children for a walk onto Hergest Ridge recently. 65 went up and 65 came back! This walk was to help children with their education and wellbeing.

They had a wonderful time out in the fresh air. £800 was raised earlier this year by Tony who ran The Commando Challenge and Kington Lions donated that cash to The Royal British Legion. The Martin Cotterill 8 Peaks Challenge will now take place in March 2021. Money raised will be given to Pancreatic Cancer UK. We hope this Challenge may be a virtual event! Details to follow.

The Lions Club International has recognised Kington Lions in their Centennial Celebrations. The Centennial Membership Award is in recognition of Members’ achievements in recruitment and retaining new Lions and/or helping organise a new Lions Club. The Gold Badge has been awarded to Tony Collier for his efforts in retaining and recruiting Lions. The Premier Centennial Award patch goes to the rest of Kington Lions for retaining and recruitment. Well done all concerned, an outstanding effort recognised by Lions Clubs International. We are a small Lions Club at the moment but growing all the time. If you are interested in helping your local community by raising funds, then contact us.

Our email address is: kingtonlions2018@gmail.com

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I approached Hereford Council and Kington Town Council to see if the Chamber of Trade could take it over, share the income and hopefully increase the amount of stalls. This they agreed to. We managed to encourage more people to open stalls and thus provided a small income to the Chamber. It worked and the market continues to this day.

Q: what was your involvement in the Kington Walking Festival? In 2011 the national organisa-

tion Walkers Are Welcome was looking for towns and villages to join their organisation.

Kington was always known as a centre for walking but had no formal way of encouraging it. We discussed it in The Chamber of Trade and decided to apply. We needed a petition signed by (I think) 200 townsfolk and the backing of Kington Town Council. Both of which we soon achieved.

We became a member of WAW in June 2011. As a result Martin Peek, owner of The Grape Vine greengrocers suggested we do a walking festival.

He pulled together a wonderful group of people with a wide range of organisational skills. To finance the first festival we obtained grants from KTC and local businesses. KTC, Councillor Terry James, Kington Tourist Information Centre and many small businesses gave us their full support. Kington Walks was born. Kington Walking Festival has continued under the current Kington Walks management team, to become a well respected and very popular walking venue.

The Interview: Bernard Ray We are starting a new feature this quarter where we interview a local personality. If you have any ideas as to whom we should talk to next, email us on midbordernews@gmail.com. We begin with Bernard Ray. How long did you live in Kington and what are your local connections (family etc)?

Q:

Q: tell us about your writing and what inspires you? I always wanted to write and never seemed

I have lived and worked in North Herefordshire for forty years. My son lives in Kington with his family and runs a building business. My daughter and her family also live locally. I have always been interested in walking and wildlife. I moved into Kington in 2005 and rented my shop out, until 2008. My tenant left and I opened it up as Grandad’s Shed. It was not a good time to open a shop, as the country was in recession. We opened with a mixture of crafts, artwork, old tools, oil lamps and items from agriculture: scythes, sickles, billhooks and small hand tools. I was joined by Mandy Sargeant and Rosemary Saunders who shared the shop space and working hours with me. I sold the shop in 2017 when Ali Allen bought it and opened the Walking Hub. Q: How did you start the markets? In 2009 I was asked to chair Kington Chamber of Trade.

The Market Hall was under used at the time, with the market supported by only by two stallholders.

to find time. When I sold the shop I decided that I could put it off no longer. I sat down and wrote On Midnight Ridge, a work of fiction based in the Welsh Marches. I self published it on Amazon at the beginning of this year and am currently writing my second book In Midnight Valley. I enjoy gardening and run a small gardening business. I am able to see and work in a wide range of country gardens. This keeps me in touch with people, nature and wildlife. I continue to walk.

Q: what, in your view, is the meaning of life? Having enough time to stop and watch nature at work. To me watching a red kite ride the thermals, a salmon leap, or seeing a spider’s web adorned in dew is the meaning of life. www.amazon.co.uk/Midnight-Ridge-Bernard-Ray

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attending a more ’traditional’ funeral. We researched the subject, took the plunge and have been rewarded by lovely comments from families who have laid their loved one to rest here.

We have recently received a Silver Award in the Natural Burial Ground category of the Cemetery of the Year Awards 2020 and previously won ‘Leading Providers of Natural Burial Services’ at the SME news Welsh Enterprise Awards in 2019.

If you would like to know more about natural burials or would like to visit, we would be more than willing to show you around and answer any questions you may have. You can pre-purchase a burial or ashes plot and companion plots are also available, where your beloved pet ashes can be buried with you. All plots can be bought at today’s price which will not only reduce funeral expenses but can also help guide your loved ones as to your wishes helping to make things easier for them.

Richard & Sarah Vale Hay Meadow Burial Ground

Hay Meadow Burial Ground: A Place to Rest in Peace Hay Meadow Burial Ground is a family run business established in 2017 at Busnant Farm, a working farm in Glascwm near Hundred House.

Busnant Farm is nestled in the Radnorshire hills which are a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the burial ground is in a unique spot, south facing with a gentle slope towards the hills and the Glas Brook meandering through the valley beneath. It offers both meadow and woodland burials.

Natural burials are becoming increasingly popular; we welcome any faith or none, so are open to everyone. Wildflowers flourish in the meadow, visited by our honeybees and grazing sheep. We are creating ‘Busnant Wood’ where graves follow a native tree planting plan. Although there are no headstones, families can purchase a personalised oak memorial plaque and in keeping with the natural theme we ask for coffins and shrouds to be naturally sourced.

Many people have asked us why we decided to open a natural burial ground. The idea was borne following the death of Richard’s mum in 2008.

Her wish was to be buried somewhere natural, out in the open and with little maintenance. Sadly, she died not long after we moved to Busnant Farm, but her wish was granted and her funeral in a natural burial ground sowed a seed in our minds; it was a completely different experience to 6

Our ‘flu clinics have gone very well. There are national supply issues due to very high uptake compounded by the fact that every year we have to make an educated guess as to how many vaccines we will need and this is done many months in advance. More vaccine is being manufactured and we will contact the eligible groups as soon as we receive it.

Kington Medical Practice Update Having had a quiet summer, Coronavirus rates are now rising. We are fortunate in Herefordshire as we are not densely populated so the pandemic affects neighbouring counties earlier and to a greater extent. Our total number of cases remains low with only 22/100,000 cases added in the last 7 days (as of 15 Oct). Rates are higher in Shropshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire so we must exercise caution to continue to protect our county.

For the 50-64 year olds to whom the Government has offered ‘flu vaccination, it has been made clear to Primary Care that this will be provided through any unused flu vaccine stock, hence we will not know how many people in this group we will be able to immunise until later this winter.

The good news is that, although there have been Covid admissions to the County Hospital, they have not had to cancel operations yet and continue to work hard to tackle waiting lists. The Local Authority, Public Health, Wye Valley Trust and Primary Care are working together to assess and respond to situations as they arise.

Please do keep wearing masks as much as you can, as well as maintaining distance and washing your hands. Please do contact us with concerns about your health. We will continue to do our best to look after all our community. We will all look forward to the spring when we will hopefully be past the worst of this crisis.

Public Health and the Local Authority are working late into the evening 7 days a week to keep on top of the situation and it has been an honour to work with them. In Primary Care we continue our services. Initially we focused on calling in the most vulnerable and frail to have their check ups and we continue to expand the groups we are reviewing.

Best wishes from Kington Medical Practice

All contacts with our Nurse Practitioners and GPs occur initially by phone or video. That may be enough to deal with the issue or we may offer a face to face consultation which will likely occur the same day. We see patients in a stripped down room which is cleaned with chlorine solution after every consultation. Maintaining this level of decontamination and cleaning is why we cannot simply go back to ‘normal’. Patients may come into the surgery to wait for their appointments but we ask that no one attends the surgery unless there has been a prior arrangement.

Should the pandemic affect us more in Herefordshire we will be continuing essential blood test monitoring, chronic disease reviews, cervical cancer screening, immunisations and baby checks. We learned a great deal in the last surge and we know that if we continue to follow our protocols we can look after our patients safely.

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Kington Town Council A tough winter ahead – we want to help.

As we write, in mid October, it looks increasingly likely that the coming winter will be a difficult one. The pandemic has not subsided, and it seems inevitable that new restrictions will be introduced by the government. We hope that, as a rural and relatively low-infection area, Kington will be spared the worst and our thoughts go out to those living in locally locked-down regions.

As a town council we have allocated budget towards supporting programmes to help the community get through the winter. We don’t have much in the way of resources compared with Herefordshire Council or central government, but we’re local and we’re quick to make decisions. There are some restrictions on what we can fund – for example we cannot reimburse expenses if they’ve already been paid out - but if you have a project or any idea which will help the town get through this extended period of difficulty, please contact us: either our Clerk or any one of the councillors. And, if we can’t help, we will try to direct you to people who can. For example, Hereford Council have launched a grant scheme to help small businesses details on which you can find here: https://

Photo Stewart Roberts

ness. All our full council meetings are now held via Zoom and our committee meetings too.

www.herefordshire.gov.uk/news/article/1040/smallbusiness-recovery-grant-launched

You can join meetings from the comfort of your own kitchen: listen, ask questions, make comments and do everything you’d normally do at a council meeting.

The Council under Covid

Since the lockdown began in late March, we have been working remotely to conduct council busi-

Details are on the council website and the notice boards in the town. We have been unable, however, to make the Council offices and the room we use for meetings Covid-safe. We’ve tried, but it’s not feasible to maintain social distancing and allow access to all – the space just isn’t big enough.

Visit of High Sheriff

At the end of September, we were visited by Tricia Thomas, the High Sheriff of Herefordshire.

She met with Town Councillors and heard how the pandemic has affected the town and then visited the High Street, Market Hall and Museum, stopping to talk to shop keepers along the route before finishing at the Burton to meet with the Chamber of Trade.

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The Recreation Ground and other Green Spaces

We are pleased to report that the play area in the Recreation Ground has now re-opened with some small adjustments to help with social distancing and are delighted to see the equipment being put to good use. Following government guidelines, we remind everyone that you should wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before and after using the equipment in the play area and remember to maintain social distancing at all times.

Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund

Over the last three years, the Town Council has benefited from a grant of £34,500 from the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund. The funding has been used primarily to improve accessibility at the Recreation Ground and on Crooked Well Meadow. The grant enabled us to improve or provide wheelchair-friendly footpaths to the play areas and toilets, to provide specialist play equipment for children with disabilities and improve security and fencing in the Recreation Ground.

It’s also paid for a footpath across land at the

eastern end of Crooked Well meadow, which opens up the access from the former tramway.

All of the work was carried out by local contractors and took place during a particularly difficult period with serious flooding and then lockdown and Coronavirus restrictions. We will formally open the play equipment area in particular once the current pandemic allows.

Photo Stewart Roberts

Economic Development Plan

Herefordshire Council has launched a project to create an Economic Development Plan for Kington. This project will produce a plan that will define a vision for growth for Kington and identify any current barriers to that vision. It will contain a slate of actionable investment projects to deliver that vision and support the economic development of Kington over the short (up to 5 years), medium (5 to 10 years) and long term (10 years +). It will also identify potential funding sources for implementing the plans. Herefordshire Council has appointed consultants Rose Regeneration to create the plan and the council aims to sign off the plan by May 2021. We’ve met with Herefordshire Council about the plan and formed a working group including the Chamber of Trade. The next step will be a meeting with the consultants. Watch this space.

Contact the town clerk, Liz Kelso on 01544 239098 or 07483 914485 or clerk@kingtontowncouncil.gov.uk

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Flicks in the Sticks at Brilley Village Hall Thursday 12th November: Little Women (cert 15) 2.30pm Greta Gerwig brings the March family to life in a bracingly current version that is frequently funny, charming and heartwarming. It depicts the journey to adulthood of four clever young women, and in this musical, romantic and grounded retelling, it is a delight to travel with them.

Thursday 26th November: Animals (cert 15) 7.30pm A vibrant study of female friendship based on Emma Jane Unsworth’s 2014 novel.

Laura, an aspiring writer and her anarchic best friend Tyler share a flat in Dublin. They live to party, but when Laura falls in love her new romance highlights flaws in their friendship. Unconventional and rich, with excellent performances and witty script, it’s received glowing reviews.

Free Wheelie Bin Signs These stickers, saying “20 Please Drive Carefully” are available from

Thursday 10th December: Military Wives (cert 15) 2.30pm Centres on a group of women from different backgrounds whose partners are away serving in Afghanistan. Faced with their loved ones' absences, they come together to form the very first military wives’ choir, helping each other through some of life's most difficult moments and finding themselves on an international stage. Kristin Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan star in this feel-good crowd-pleaser inspired by true events.

kingtonkleen@gmail.com

first come first served.

Advance tickets only via www.artsalive.co.uk Bring your own refreshments.

Local Markets Presteigne Local Food Market 1st Saturday of the month 9am to 1pm. In Memorial Hall.

Knighton Community Market 2nd & 4th Saturdays of the month 9.30am to 12.30pm. In Community Centre.

Kington Friday Market every Friday 9am to 1pm. In Place de Marines & Market Hall.

Kington Country Market every Friday 9am to 12pm. In or just outside the Baptist Chapel.

Kington Art & Craft Market 3rd Saturday of the month, 9.30am to 3pm. November: Sat 21 & 28; December: Sat 12 & 19. In Place de Marines & Market Hall.

All these markets are observing covid-19 hygiene rules and have hand sanitisers available.

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Presteigne Community News Live in or around Presteigne? Then you need to sign up for the (free) Community News, an established e-letter providing regular news and information on what’s happening in the wider area around Presteigne.

The News is an initiative of PACDG (the Presteigne Area Community Development Group) and was set up to improve communications in the community. In normal (pre-Covid) times it was issued twice monthly by email but is currently being sent out twice a week reflecting the ever-changing situation for residents, local shops and businesses, and local government.

To sign up to receive regular emails, just email the Editor on news@pacdg.org. Past issues can be viewed (along with lots of other good stuff) on the Presteigne Town website. www.presteigne.org.uk/calendar.

Presteigne Verges in Bloom Back in the spring signs appeared beside the Presteigne by-pass, painted with the names of many wildflowers and grasses. The verges below the Warden, a well known local natural area, are particularly rich in many species. These created a lot of interest and became a focus for adults and children alike during the lockdown period especially, as the importance of being outside in nature for wellbeing was more acutely recognised. People commented on how they liked to learn new names and see all the different flowers or be reminded of names they used to know.

All over the country there is a growing awareness of the importance of roadside verges. Many have a range of flowers which, if left to grow, provide a valuable source of nectar and pollen. These supply food for the bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects which are vital to pollinate the food that we ourselves eat. A reduction in mowing has shown an increase in these pollinators.

Discussions about mowing regimes are ongoing with Powys County Council, Presteigne and Norton Town Council and the local community. Initially a map identified some areas designated to be cut less often and later than usual, to allow the flowers to bloom and different grasses to grow as long as possible, so that they can set seed and multiply. The roundabouts also are being managed in a different way by Caring for God's Acre, initially by introducing some Ox Eye daisies.

A free flyer with the pictures and names of 20 species was made available to help identify the different flowers and to raise awareness of these places. Links were also made with the Primary School to inform families of a fun activity both educational and local. Ongoing work has included identifying and logging the different species that were found and after the final cut for the year, raking off the mown grass once the seed has shed to enhance the flowers for next year. FFI katevandenende@btinternet.com Contact Jenny at info@beetlesandbees.co.uk for a copy of the leaflet.

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Artwork: Macarena Chomik

Elly’s Charity Trek Update First of all I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has sponsored me so far for my charity trek along the Inca trail. A few of you may have already heard that the trek has had to be postponed until April 2021. While this news wasn’t completely unexpected I was still very disappointed when I found out. But I have to think of the positives - I now have an extra 6 months of fundraising, so I can raise even more money for Water Aid. And it also gives me extra time to work on my fitness levels. I have scaled my training walks down slightly, so I can maintain the fitness level that I have already achieved and then will be looking to revamp my efforts around February time. In the meantime I now have an extra six months to reach my fundraising target of £4000 so I am asking, once again, if anyone would like to sponsor me to follow the link to my JustGiving web page. Or if you would like to send a donation without going through JustGiving please don’t be afraid to contact me and we can make alternative arrangements.

My JustGiving web page address is www.justgiving.com/fundraising/elly-ingram-trek Or you can contact me by email at info@ellyingram.co.uk

Or by phone on 07792 743 894.

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Knighton Mens’ Shed Re-opens The Shed has been closed to the public since March 17th but following a meeting of 6 allowed members we are opening the doors on Monday and Wednesday mornings to the public from the 2nd November.

Because of limited space admissions will be restricted to people from the same family visiting together and we ask that face masks be worn and hand sanitiser that will be available used. We have new lines of stock and wildlife habitats that have been popular in the past for Christmas presents.

See www.mensshed.uk or email jtknightonmensshed@gmail.com or 01544 232750

Friends of the Radnor Fforest We're delighted to announce the launch of a new website to promote the outstanding beauty of this spectacular Radnorshire landscape. We also wish to freely promote local businesses, organised activities and events relating to The Radnor Fforest, with an overall aim of protecting and preserving this special place.

At the same time, we hope to help boost the local economy, which relies more and more on tourism. It is very noticeable that visitor numbers have increased dramatically this year, as a result of travel restrictions and the need for access to tranquil, silent spaces in nature. To quote Richard Deverell, the director of Kew Gardens, "There is no salve quite like nature for an anxious mind". Many of you will be aware that the uplands of Mid Wales are constantly under threat from development of wind farms, and sadly, the Radnor Fforest is no exception. Despite the fact that this land lies outside of the designated areas for such developments in the Welsh Government's National Development Framework, there are plans afoot to erect giant turbines over a large part of it. It is vital that we protect this area from industrialisation and help confine renewable energy projects to more appropriate locations. Please join us in our efforts to preserve this precious resource, and if you can, share comments, memories and photographs as we build the website. Why the double f? Because the Fforest refers not to woodland, but to the old word for the ancient hunting ground.

Visit www.radnorfforest.co.uk and don't forget the double f!

Friends of Radnor Fforest.

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KNIGHTON TOWN COUNCIL

Allotment Review This has been completed

after a council inspection and only three allotments raised concerns. Improvements are under way.

Council Meetings are continuing online via

Google Meet and members of the public can still be spectators. You can contact the Town Clerk, Neil King, and request an invitation. Council meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month (except for December which will be the 2nd Weds) at 6pm.

River Teme Flood Alleviation Work has be-

gun to clear fallen trees and debris as part of a plan to alleviate flooding in the town. The succession of exceptional storms earlier this year caused significant problems and Natural Resources Wales is carrying out a long term study to look at what measures need to be taken to reduce future flood risk. They are doing regular monitoring and maintenance to improve water flow and are working towards a specific flood risk maintenance programme as part of the bigger study.Contact: town clerk Neil King 01547 520536 or neil.king321@gmail.com

Councillor Vacancies Four applicants have

come forward for the two councillor vacancies in the west ward and these are going through the official processing. The vacancies were created when former councillors Tom Clough and Brendan Rogers resigned.

Christmas Lights It is difficult to know what

type of restrictions will be in place in the coming months, but currently the plan is to put up the Christmas lights and have a children’s event. We usually organise Father Christmas and a choir but of course these may not be possible. The Christmas Lights Committee will consider the possibilities and make a plan that takes into account the necessary public safety concerns regarding social distancing and so on.

Knighton & East Radnor Food Bank is expecting an increase in demand as the cold weather comes in and is asking for donations of both money and food to help those in crisis. The food bank needs: tinned meats, vegetables, fruit, custard and rice pudding (within use-by date please); butter, jam, chocolate spread, peanut butter; dry goods such as cereals, biscuits, toiletries, soap, washing up liquid, cleaning materials and personal hygiene items. Cash donations help provide fresh foods such as milk, bread and fruit & vegetables. You can drop off donations at the Coop in Knighton, Norton Street Baptist Church on Tuesday & Friday from 10am to 11.30am; the Spar in Presteigne and at Presteigne Baptist Church on Thursdays from 10am to 11.30am.

You can also support the food bank by setting up a regular payment via standing order or stewardship form. FFI www.knightonfoodbank.co.uk or 07731 524058 or

Library Purchase The process of purchasing

the old library building continues. A business plan and application has been submitted by the council with the next step being approval of a loan from the Welsh Office. If this goes ahead it could mean a very exciting development for Knighton in the form of Banc Cambria taking space in the building to bring back banking services and 24 hour cashpoint access to the town.

This would be a significant coup for Knighton at a time when so many of our small market towns have lost banking facilities and cashpoints. There would also be office space for the Town Clerk and rooms to rent to local groups and organisations.

helen@knightonfoodbank.co.uk

Wales Cleans Up! Did you know that Wales is the third best recycler in the world? Doing its bit, Powys now recycles around 64% of its waste but the council wants to do even better. Visit www.walesrecycles.org.uk to find out how you can help make Wales first in global recycling: join the Be Mighty, Recycle project. To find out more about rubbish collections and local recycling see

The bollards and planters put in place along

the High Street, in Broad Street and elsewhere have all been removed. These were purchased by Powys County Council but proved unsuitable for Knighton and were causing access problems for refuse collection and delivery vehicles. There has always been room for pedestrians to pass each other safely so the bollards are not required.

https://en.powys.gov.uk/recycle 15

Covid-19 Important Information The Herefordshire Outbreak Control Plan is available on Herefordshire Council website within the Coronavirus pages Covid-19 outbreak control plan | Emergency planning in Herefordshire | Herefordshire Council Government coronavirus outbreak FAQ’s provide up to date information on staying safe outside of your home. These can be found at Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can't do - GOV.UK If you have covid-19 symptoms go to the Herefordshire Council website Testing for Covid-19 | Stay home stay safe | Herefordshire Council For those residents who have no internet access testing can be arranged by calling 119. The Herefordshire Council Talk Community COVID response will continue to support vulnerable individuals throughout this time and can be contacted via email at Talkcommunitycovidresponse@herefordshire.gov.uk or telephone 01432 260027 Herefordshire Council has set up an Outbreak Control Hub as a single point of contact. We want to raise the profile of this function with businesses to ensure if they have a positive case within their workforce they inform the Outbreak Control Hub by emailing OutbreakControlHub@herefordshire.gov.uk This will help us support businesses and also understand and contain any spread of the virus across Herefordshire. The Herefordshire Outbreak Control Group comprises experienced Public Health, Health, Emergency Planning, Social Care and Environmental Health professionals. This team will work to prevent infection, contain outbreaks and implement protective measures. Businesses are also able to contact the hub if they have any queries around the guidance and infection prevention and control measures on the above email address or by calling 01432 383799.

Farm setting specific

National guidance specific to farm settings can be found at:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses - GOV.UK Agricultural

and Horticultural Development Board 2020 have issued guidance for farms and measures to put in place for seasonal workers living on-site: https://ahdb.org.uk/coronavirus-advice-on-seasonal-labour HSE risk assessment guidance is beneficial for riskassessing work and living activities and ensure your workplace is COVID-secure: https://www.hse.gov.uk/ risk/ You can also visit Herefordshire Councils dedicated farming page www.herefordshire.gov.uk/covid19farms

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Guild certificates or trade union membership cards, they adopted secret modes of recognition to show that they were trained to certain skill levels. In the 1600s, the Lodges began to accept non -operatives as ‘gentlemen masons’, gradually turning them from ‘operatives’ to the Lodges we know today. The other theory is that in the late 1500s and early 1600s, there was a group which was interested in the promotion of religious and political tolerance. In forming Freemasonry, they took the idea of building as the central story on which to form their system. The description of King Solomon's Temple in the Bible became the basis for the ceremonies, where roughly hewn rocks were transformed into perfectly formed stones.

What is Freemasonry?

Is it, as some would have it, a sinister organisation bent on manipulation in politics and business? The answer to that is emphatically ‘no’. Is it an ‘old boys’ club bent on serving the needs of each other? The answer to that is also an emphatic ‘no’. Is it a kind of religion trying to compete with the established churches? Again, emphatically ‘no’. Freemasonry is the UK’s largest secular, fraternal and charitable organisation. It’s not a religion and members can practice their own faith or none.

Under the present United Grand Lodge of England there are about 200,000 members in around 7000 Lodges. Almost every town in the country has a Lodge and its members usually meet on a monthly basis for about 8 meetings each year.

Social activities involve the whole family and its charitable work, through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, gives massive support to local and national good causes.

Freemasonry offers an approach to life which seeks to reinforce thoughtfulness for others, kindness in the community, honesty in business, courtesy in society and help for those in need.

Our core principles promote integrity, respect, friendship and charity. The earliest record of someone being made a mason was in 1646. Organised Freemasonry began with the founding of the Grand Lodge of England in 1717 and all the regular Grand Lodges in the world trace themselves back to that date.

Locally based Lodges are to be found in Kington, where the Arrow Lodge meets at the Masonic Hall, Headbrook and in Knighton, where the Teme Lodge currently meets at the Whitton Community Hall. Both Lodges meet on a monthly basis eight times a year. Any enquiries may be directed to Mr D J Hedley sec2240@hereforshiremasons.org.uk and Mr R Powell at temesec4267@gmail.com

There are two main theories about the origin of Freemasonry. According to one, the operative stonemasons, who built the great cathedrals and castles, had Lodges where they rested and discussed their work. As there were no City and

By D P Joyce

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items have been repaired and saved from landfill, to the satisfaction of all involved. Skills have been shared and new ones learned by both those bringing the items and those fixing; all part of the ethos.

Presteigne Repair & Skill Share This September was the first anniversary of monthly Repair events in Presteigne initially held at the Youth Centre. These, held on the 3rd Sat of the month, quickly became useful and fun community events.

We were also involved in an 'eco day' at John Beddoes school in March for years 7/8. Groups based in the community encouraged pupils to engage with ideas around Recycling/Repair/ Reuse, as well as Developing the School Garden with wildlife in mind, beetles & bees as pollinators, the local Dark Skies project and Creating a Climate Change rap. Good links were made with the school which those connected with the day hope to build on.

For further information email Anne info@feltworkshops.co.uk or call Rolly on 01544 260766

Although shut down for 6 months we were able to 'celebrate' by holding a successful morning outside in a marquee, in the garden of the Radnorshire Arms. Our publicity on a variety of media went out with the message 'Physically Distanced but Socially Connected'.

Hopefully repeated, weather etc permitting, in October (same venue), we will then continue to try to offer this free service in some way, somehow, somewhere!

Before opening we liaised with Repair Cafe Wales, an umbrella organisation supporting such initiatives. We also made contact with other 'cafes' in the area & visited the Kington one held alongside the monthly market.

Presteigne Plenty will be selling its wares in Presteigne High Street on Saturday December 12th from 10am–1pm: come and see us for delicious, freshly pasteurised apple juice and boozy mincemeat made from locally-grown produce.

All profits to community projects and our local Foodbank.

With a multitalented & enthusiastic group of fixers, supported by others enabling the smooth running of each event, a wide range of household

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Covid-19 What We’ve Learned Masks: need to be at least double layer, inner cotton and outer synthetic for best results. Moisture droplets from breath travel further if someone is not only coughing or sneezing but shouting, laughing, singing, running etc. Hence the need to wear a mask in shops, built up areas, while queuing outside or walking along a busy pavement.

Indoors: ventilation is vital: 90% of covid-19 patients pick up the infection indoors. Best practice is to open all windows for 10 minutes in the morning to create a cross draft of fresh air coming in. For classrooms, pubs etc, ventilation every 20 minutes, for three minutes’ duration in winter (more in warmer seasons), is recommended, again achieving a cross draft if possible.

Hygiene: keep washing those hands. There is already evidence to show that other common illnesses such as colds are occurring less frequently thanks to everyone washing their hands more often. Gloves: remember that if you are going into more than one shop you need to sanitise your gloves as you would your hands.

Distance: minimum of two metres is ideal whether outside or in.

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Logs to Burn Beechwood fires burn bright and clear if the logs are kept a year.

Store your beech for Christmastide with new-cut holly laid beside.

Chestnut’s only good, they say, if for years ‘tis stored away.

Birch and firwood burn too fast, blaze too bright and do not last.

Flames from larch will shoot up high, dangerously the sparks will fly.

But ashwood green and ashwood brown are fit for a queen with a golden crown.

Oaken logs, if dry and old keep away the winter’s cold.

Poplar gives a bitter smoke, fills your eyes and makes you choke.

Elmwood burns like churchyard mould, e’en the very flames are cold. hawthorn bakes the sweetest bread, so it is in Ireland said.

Applewood will scent the room, pearwood smells like flowers in bloom.

But ashwood wet and ashwood dry a king may warm his slippers by.

Traditional, anon.

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cycling the ‘unrecyclable’. They have collection points around the country for specific products.

Volunteers or organisations can become collectors and post the collections to Terracycle free of charge. Anyone can be a collector. In Kington, the Primary School collects crisp packets, pens, toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes and cake, biscuit and cracker wrappers. Just take them to the school reception. If the school collects enough they earn rewards!

Know your Recycling There are many myths surrounding recycling, for example that it all goes to landfill anyway and one contaminated bin ruins the whole collection.

There seems to be much confusion about what can and can’t be recycled. After a visit to EnviroSort near Worcester, where the recycling from our green bins goes, I thought I’d try to bring some clarity to the subject.

Before I explain the various ways in which household waste can be recycled, it should be borne in mind that Reducing waste is the first priority, then Reusing what you can and only what’s left goes to Recycling or black bags. At EnviroSort the recycling passes along a series of conveyor belts. First it is checked by hand and any unsuitable material is removed, then a series of machines separate paper, cardboard, glass, metals and plastics. All materials need to be clean and dry, not necessarily dishwasher clean but just rinsed out and dry so that the paper and cardboard don’t become soggy.

There are numerous other collection points nearby. For example dishwasher product packaging at Presteigne, contact lens blister packs at Leominster, sweet wrappers at Wigmore and many more. Just go to terracycle.com to find out what can be recycled and where to take it. More information about your recycling can be found on the Herefordshire council website herefordshire.gov.uk or through Severn Waste Services severnwaste.com/envirosort

Jon Cooke

But what about all that stuff which can’t go in the green bin?

PLASTICS Pots, tubs, bottles and trays can all go in the green recycling bin. Lids can be left on, even metal bottle and jar caps, just screw them on lightly. But no black plastics should be included as the optical scanner cannot see them. Labels can be left on. Put things in loose, not in plastic bags.

Don’t forget our recycling centres. Kington Recycling Centre re-opened on 10 July, but you have to book a slot at herefordshire.gov.uk/ HRCbooking it’s easy to do. There is no pedestrian access at the moment. Opening hours 8am to 4pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Check the Herefordshire Council website for restrictions, rules and other details.

METALS All food and drink tins and cans can be recycled; rinse out and put lids back in cans.

Green waste bigger than 2 metres in length, and 100mm in diameter cannot be accepted. You can buy Green Grow soil conditioner made from your composted green waste at a cost of £2 per bag when available.

GLASS All food and drink jars and bottles can go in as well as glass cosmetic containers.

Rinse out and put lids back on loosely. Labels can be left on, all colours accepted. Pump tops should be removed and put in your non recycling bin.

The Leominster Household Recycling Centre on Bridge Street to the North of Leominster is open 7 days 8am to 6pm, no need to book a slot.

The Llandrindod Wells Recycling Centre on Waterloo Road (closed Mondays and Tuesdays) will take many hard plastics such as toys and garden furniture, which Kington will not take. No need to book.

PAPER should be clean, dry and kept flat. Staples and viewing windows can be left on. Remove any plastic wrappers. Put shredded paper in an envelope.

CARTONS Rinse out, leave plastic spouts on, put lids back on loosely and flatten cartons.

CARDBOARD Flatten boxes and tubes, no contaminated packaging e.g. food waste from pizzas. Ideally remove labels and sticky tape, but this is not strictly necessary. Corrugated and thin card can be recycled.

That still leaves much packaging which still usually goes into the black bag. There is a collection system called Terracycle which specialises in re23

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