The only problem was the extra people hadn't been catered for and walkers were supposed to book in advance for the event organised by Powys County Council.

The unexpected boost left the council checking on the source of the information supplied, which didn't mention the need to book.

Will the culprit get dunked in the canal I wonder?

***

HOW times change. The good news is we're all living longer, the bad news is this is putting a huge strain on all of our pension schemes.
Well this week marks the 100th anniversary of the State Pension.

On August 1, 1908, the Old Age Pension Act brought in Britain's first pension, but only for those who met strict age, income and character tests.

The money our pensioners (and I'm getting frighteningly close to that time of my life) does seem miserly, but things were certainly hard in those days.

The 1908 pension gave the poorest people aged 70 or over a minimum income, ending their dependency on charity or (more chillingly) the workhouse.

For single people the full pension was five shillings and a married man got up to seven shillings and 6d. Today that pension would be worth around £20 for singles and £30 for couples.

Around one in four people made it to 70 years old in 1908. Today, one in four babies is expected to live to 100 years. Of those born in 1908, just about one in 200 lived to reach 100.

Good news on the one hand, but it goes to show we've got to make sure there's enough money in the pot for when more of us reach retirement age.

***

MY heart goes out to brave mum Beverley Rawsthorne whose family are featured on the earlier pages of this week's paper.

Her husband, Colour Sergeant David Rawsthorne, and son, Fusilier Wayne Rawsthorne, 20, both fought in Afghanistan at the same time and second son Fusilier Matthew Rawsthorne, 18, is being posted to the troubled region next year – and David's youngest son, Alan, is joining the Fusiliers next January.

She says: "It is nice to have one of them at home. When the two of them were out there I would wake up every morning wondering will I get a knock on the door?"

I'm sure the poor woman will have many more sleepless nights ahead. Come home safely boys.

***

ON a more upbeat note another woman's wartime role finally earned her the honour she deserved.

What a smashing picture (on Page Three) of Alma Bebb with the medal she has just received from Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Alma, now 81, lived through a remarkable and troubled time in our history, but has many happy memories of people pulling together.

***

IT was sad news this week that a group of volunteers has reluctantly decided to wind up a service they have provided for years.

The Welshpool-based Tape Talks postal library for the visually impaired charity will have to cease operations from the end of July.

Declining number of volunteers and the ageing stock of cassette tapes mean that conversion to a digital format is essential.

"Unless a new team, with the expertise and equipment to oversee the modernisation of the library tapes, comes forward the service will cease," says the retiring secretary Stephanie Duggan.

An emergency meeting will be held in August, anyone interested should contact the secretary on 01938 555574.

Anyone interested in taking over Tape Talks should contact the chairman on 01938 552018. I hope someone can help.