A couple of young teenagers were slouching around outside as I went past.

Out of the store came a more mature (I would guess old enough to have been their mother) woman carrying packets of cigarettes and some tins of beer.

She proceeded to hand the kids a packet of fags and said: "Sorry that was all I could get."

Sorry! She should be deeply ashamed. She was obviously buying cigarettes for youngsters.

Don't get me wrong, I know youngsters get their hands on drink and fags while they're under age, but surely no adult should be condoning or even helping them as was obviously the case here.

***

THE County Times likes to think it reaches the parts that others don't... and we've got a good track record of readers contacting us from all over the world with their news and stories.

But here's a story that I have to admit puts us to shame.

Our young Sports Editor, Gavin Grosvenor, was making what I can only describe as his usual late rush to be at work somewhere near on time.

A light wind whipped up and something struck him in the face as he was running along.

It turned out to be a piece of newspaper.

Nothing too strange in that you might think, except that the piece of paper was torn from the Cape Times of South Africa. What's more the paper must be about 50 years old.

Unfortunately the scrap of paper does not have a date on it but there are pictures of "His Highness" – and we think it's a spritely looking Duke of Edinburgh in his early years or maybe King George VI – being welcomed by the "Governor General".

We did a quick Google search and we found that the Queen visited South Africa with her father in 1947.

As Gav says: "At first I was annoyed at being hit in the face, but then amazed when I saw what was on the scrap of paper.

"I just can't imagine why this was blowing around Welshpool. I wonder if any of our readers know why?"

Well can anyone spread a little light on the matter?

***

AN old friend of mine has written appealing for readers to vote in next Thursday's local elections.

Although John Whittal Williams is standing for a seat in Llanidloes he is making a plea for people to vote, never mind who they vote for.

He says: "My reason for writing is to urge everyone to vote, especially if you have found yourself complaining about decisions made by your local councillors.

"Please remember people all over the world are losing their lives for the right to vote, latterly Kenya, Zimbabwe and Tibet.
"Vote and you will get the council you want."
He's right, make sure you vote.

***

I KNOW it's a shameful bit of political nonsense, but I felt drawn to use this picture of Joe Calzaghe. The lad's a true Welsh hero after Saturday night's big fight. By the way, the politician in the picture, is Labour Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales Joyce Watson.

And let's make sure they play Land Of Our Fathers at the FA Cup Final.