Newtown, Powys

Coordinates: 52°30′48″N 3°18′51″W / 52.5132°N 3.3141°W / 52.5132; -3.3141

Newtown
Welsh: Y Drenewydd
Newtown town centre
Newtown  Newtown shown within Powys
Population	12,783
OS grid reference	SO115915
Principal area	Powys
Ceremonial county	Powys
Country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	NEWTOWN
Postcode district	SY16
Dialling code	01686 6
Police	Dyfed-Powys
Fire	Mid and West Wales
Ambulance	Welsh
EU Parliament	Wales
UK Parliament	Montgomeryshire
Welsh Assembly	Montgomeryshire
List of places: UK • Wales • Powys

Newtown (Welsh: Y Drenewydd) is the largest town in the county of Powys, Wales. It had a population of 12,783 in 2001. Lying on the River Severn, within the historic boundaries of Montgomeryshire, the town is best known as the birthplace of Robert Owen in 1771^[1] with his former house now being a museum. Newtown is also the home of Theatr Hafren and Oriel Davies Gallery, a major public gallery of Wales, which shows national and international contemporary art and craft.

History

Early period

Newtown was founded at the end of the thirteenth century when Edward I of England commissioned Roger de Montgomerie to construct a centre for the hamlet of Llanfair-yng-Nghedewain. It was situated near the ford on the River Severn, below the Long Bridge and around the church of St Mary in Cedewain. This gave Newtown its original Welsh name.^[2] The foundation is intimately connected to the fate of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of Wales, whose new administrative centre at Dolforwyn Castle near Abermule so alarmed Edward I that it was besieged. He seized Llywelyn's lands and granted them to the Mortimers. They transferred the administration of the cantref of Cedewain and the commote of Ceri from Dolforwyn Castle to the new settlement at Newtown.

Later period

The town grew in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries around the textile and flannel industry, stimulated by the completion of the Montgomeryshire Canal. In 1838, the town saw Wales' first Chartist demonstration.

The town was designated as a "new town" in 1967. It has seen a large population growth as companies and people have settled, changing the rural market town character. Today it is the largest town in Mid Wales. Newtown hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1965.

Geography

The most central populated town in Wales, Newtown sits approximately 10 miles from the Wales-England border. It was built within a narrow valley, restricting development north and south of the town. Newtown is surrounded by small villages often referenced as the Newtown area. If Newtown were to include all its postal villages, the town's population would approach 20,000.^{[citation needed]} The postal villages include Aberhafesp, Adfa, Bettws Cedewain, Bwlch-y-ffridd, Cefn-gwyn, Dolfor, Glanmule, Kerry, Llanllwchaiarn, Llanwyddelan, Mochdre, New Mills, Pentre, Rhydlydan, Sarn and Tregynon.^[3]

Buildings and monuments

Built by Pryce Jones, the Royal Welsh Warehouse remains the tallest building in Newtown. The two towering structures housed the world's first mail order service depot.

Bear Lanes, the town's main shopping centre, sports a Tudor-style entrance. The building was once a hotel, The Bear, which contributes to the mall's appearance today.

A statue of Robert Owen was erected in 1956 in a small park off Shortbridge street and Gas street. A replica statue was later built in Manchester, England.

The Free Library building, designed by the architect Frank Shayler of Shrewsbury, was built in 1902.

Twinning

Newtown is twinned with:

• Les Herbiers, Vendée

Museums and Galleries

• Robert Owen Museum
• Textile Museum
• W H Smith Museum
• Oriel Davies Gallery, largest and most significant visual arts venue in the region. Free admission.

Transport

Newtown is currently served by Arriva Trains Wales at its station. The majority of the local bus services, both within the town and serving nearby locations, are operated by privately owned, local companies. Newtown is served by two National Express services per day; the Aberystwyth to London and its return counterpart.

Due to the town's being situated in a valley, plans for a much needed bypass have been frequently rescinded. As a result, the A483 and A489 roads, which merge on the town, are often over crowded and can cause severe delays.

The Montgomery Canal originally terminated in Newtown. Following its closure in 1944, the section in Newtown was sold and subsequently built on. Few signs of the canal remain, though the names of Canal Road and Lower Canal Road note its history.

Notable people

• Barry Hoban, cyclist
• George Latham, footballer
• Robert Owen
• Philip Parkin, golfer
• Pryce Pryce-Jones

Theatr Hafren

Theatr Hafren is one of the most popular theatres in Mid Wales. With a 555-seat capacity, the venue has attracted many big-name performers, including Lee Evans, Jools Holland, Phil Jupitus, Michael McIntyre and Bob Geldof. The theatre is part of the Coleg Powys complex, and allows drama students to use its facilities.

Sport

Newtown A.F.C. is one of the most well-known names in football (soccer) in Wales. Co-founders of the League of Wales, the club boasts a proud history, most recently twice finishing runners-up in the League of Wales in the mid-1990s. The club also entered the qualifying stages of the UEFA Cup on two occasions. Newtown AFC are one of only a handful of teams to have remained in the Welsh Premier since its formation in 1990.

Latham Park, Newtown AFC's football stadium is widely regarded as the best in the league. With a capacity of 5,000 (1,750 seated), the ground has undergone major development in the last 10 years, achieving a full UEFA licence, allowing under-21 international games and European games to be played there.

Despite the facilities, the club struggles to attract a large fanbase, with attendances averaging around 300. In 2007, another 250 seat stand was built next to the media gantry, with future developments planned.

Newtown RFC is the town's rugby union club which was established in 1925. It presently has a large membership fielding a First, Second, Third and Junior team.

Newtown also has popular lawn bowls, cricket, and tennis clubs. A basketball club, the Newtown Titans was also established in 2005, before being reformed as Mid Wales Basketball Club in 2009.

Schools

There are several schools in Newtown: Ladywell Green school (ages 4–7), Hafren Junior school (ages 7–11), St Mary's (ages 4–11), Penygloddfa (ages 4–11), Maesyrhandir (4-11), Treowen (4-11) and Newtown High School and Sixth Form (ages 12–18). The High School recently received an outstanding ESTYN inspection report, with many outstanding features including the teacher-sixth form pupil relationship and the school's support for a wide range of Post-16 vocational and academic subjects. As of 2011, Newtown High School (along with several other schools in Powys) has been discussed to be merged with another county High School as part of Powys County Council's Secondary School and Post-16 Modernisation programme.

Footnotes

1. ^ [1] Robert Owen Biography
2. ^ Jones, D "Old town, Newtown", in About Wales, November 2007. Civic Trust for Wales.
3. ^ SY16 postcode information

External links

• Official website
• Newtownweather.co.uk - Newtown weather
• Newtown-MC.co.uk Newtown And District Automobile Club Ltd
• NewtownTitans.com Newtown Titans U15 basketball team
• Newtown High School website
• Treowen C P School
• Robert Owen Museum
• Newtown Textile Museum
• Oriel Davies Gallery