Visiting Newtown councillor Richard White suggested Welshpool council was "rich enough to get itself a proper lift put in" as part of the alterations being made at the Town Hall.

It was pointed out that a similar incident had happened earlier because the manual controls had not been used properly but it did work well normally and was an asset to the building.

Cllr Shane Squibb pointed out: "Newtown Town Council doesn't have one in its offices so the people of Newtown find it very difficult to attend their council meetings." Ouch!

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WHEN it comes to overly zealous political correctness and just plain daftness I begin to get hot under the collar.

We hear of so many of our festivals that the 'thought police' deem should be 're-named'.

Well I've heard some daft suggestions this week.

I've heard of several organisations moving away from calling events "Hallowe'en" parties on October 31.

Why? It's a bit of fun we've all enjoyed apple dunking etc. My kids had fun and I did as well.

I still don't mind the local kids calling around for a treat – provided they are not rude about it – and Mrs N is usually happy to provide the odd sweet or two.

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WHAT bothers my poor old dog far more are the idiots who let fireworks off for ages around bonfire night.

They've already started and it really upsets the grouchy old fellow – it makes my dog none too pleased either!

I'm afraid I'd ban private firework displays and leave them in the hands of responsible organisations like the main town organisers. At least they give us ample warning and we know what to expect.

Whatever you're doing for Bonfire Night please be careful and consider other people and pets.

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CHIEF photographer Phil Blagg has kept us all amused this week with his antics. Our printer ran out of ink (toner I'm told) so all of his pictures have been printing out very faintly.

Phil has been drawing in the faces and buildings that have been missing, much to the amusement of everyone. He's pretty good at drawing too.

It reminds me of an old photographer I once worked with.

It was back in the days when photographers provided hard prints. When the old fellow's own eyes started to deteriorate he regularly didn't spot that people in his pictures had their eyes shut.

After a stern word from my then editor, he used to hand in his pictures with the eyes drawn in by biro. No-one had the heart to complain!