Newtown, Powys

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Newtown
Welsh: Y Drenewydd
Population 12,783
OS grid reference SO115915
Principal area Powys
Ceremonial county Powys
Constituent 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
European Parliament Wales
UK Parliament Montgomeryshire
List of places: UK • Wales •

Newtown (Welsh: Y Drenewydd) is the largest town in the county of Powys, Mid Wales with a population of 12,783 (2001). Lying on the River Severn, the town is best known as the birthplace of Robert Owen in 1771 with his former house now being a museum.

Newtown town centre
Newtown town centre

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Early period

Newtown was founded at the end of the thirteenth century when Edward I commissioned Roger de Montgomerie to construct a centre for the hamlet of Llanfair-yng- Nghedewain situated near the ford on the River Severn below the Long Bridge and around the Church of St Mary in Cedewain, from which Newtown takes its original Welsh name.[1] The foundation is intimately connected to the fate of Llewelyn ap Gruffydd , last of the Welsh princes whose administrative centre at Dolforwyn Castle near Abermule so alarmed Edward I that it was besieged and Llewelyn's lands seized and granted to the Mortimers who transferred the administration of Cedewain and Kerry from Dolforwyn Castle to the new settlement at Newtown.

[edit] Later Period

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

The town was designated as a "new town" in 1967 and has seen a large population growth as companies and people have settled, changing the rural market town character. Today, the town has developed into the largest town in Mid Wales.

Newtown is also famous for the couple of MP Lembit Opik and ITV Weather presenter Sian Lloydd. The couple subsequently parted, and now Lembit often seen dating one of the comic singing duo The Cheeky Girls.

Newtown also hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1965.

[edit] Geography

The most central populated town in Wales, Newtown sits approx. 20 miles from the English border. It was built within a village, 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 town's population would come close to 20,000.[citation needed]

[edit] Buildings and Monuments

The Royal Welsh Warehouse was built by Pryce Jones and 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 an old public house, which explains the mall's appearance today.

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

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

[edit] Museums and Galleries

Robert Owen Museum

Textile Museum

W H Smith Museum

Oriel Davies Gallery

[edit] Transport

Newtown uses Arriva Trains Wales and Arriva Buses as local transport. Due to the town being situated in a valley plans for a much needed bypass have been frequently resinded. As a result the A483 road is often over populated. Being the main road channeling traffic for north, west and south wales, and from the English border, the road is regarded as the busiest road in Wales.

[edit] Religion

[edit] Notable People

Robert Owen

George Latham

[Sian Lloyd]

[Lembit Opik]

[edit] Theatr Hafren

Theatr Hafren is one of the most popular theatres in Mid Wales. Despite its small 548 capacity the venue has attracted many big name performers and produced numerous acclaimed shows. Past notable performers have included Lee Evans, Jools Holland, Phil Jupiter, and Sir Bob Geldof.

The Theatre is also a part of the Coleg Powys building, and often allows drama students to use its facilities.

[edit] Education

Newtown High School, Penygloddfa County Primary School, Hafren County Primary School, Tregynon Primary School, Dolfor Country Primary School, Maesrandyr Country Primary School, Ladywell Nursery and Infant School, Coleg Powys

[edit] Sport

Newtown AFC is one of the most well known names in Welsh Football. Co-founders of the Welsh Football League, the club boasts a proud history, more recently twice finishing runners-up in the League of Wales in the mid 90's. The club also entered the qualifying stages of the UEFA Cup on two occasions. Newtown AFC are one of only a handfull of teams to have remained in the Welsh Premier since its formation in 1990. The team is managed by Darren Ryan.

Latham Park, Newtown AFC's football stadium is widely regarded as the best in the league. A capacity of 5000 (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 attendences averaging around 300. In 2007, another 250 seater stand was build next to the media gantry, with future developments planned.

The town also has popular non-professional clubs in Rugby, Cricket, and Tennis.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Jones, D "Old town, Newtown" in 'About Wales', November 2007. Civic Trust for Wales.

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 52°30′47.36″N, 3°18′50.84″W

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Major Settlements on the River Severn, United Kingdom
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Settlements on the River Severn from its source to Llandrinio (heading downstream)
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