Newtown
Newtown is the largest town in the county of Powys, Wales. It had a permanent resident population of 12783 in 2001, falling to 11357 at the 2011 census. Newtown is nearly 8 miles (13 km) from the Wales-England border, in the narrow valley of the river Severn which restricts growth north and south of the town. Newtown is surrounded by small villages commonly referenced as the Newtown region. The town grew most noticeably in the 18th and 19th centuries around the textile and flannel industry, which was further boosted 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 actually seen a considerable population growth as companies and individuals have settled, altering the rural market town character. Lying on the River Severn, within the historical boundaries of Montgomeryshire, the town is best known as the birthplace of Robert Owen in 1771. His former house stood on what is now the site of the HSBC Bank. The Robert Owen Museum is over the road, inhabiting the ground floor of the council offices. Constructed by Sir Pryce Pryce-Jones, the Pryce Jones Royal Welsh Warehouse is still the tallest structure in Newtown. The two towering structures housed the world's very first mail order service depot. Bear Lanes, the town's principal shopping centre, has a Tudor-style entryway. The structure was formerly a hotel, The Bear, which adds to the centre's aesthetics today. Newtown is also the home of Theatr Hafren and of Oriel Davies, a leading public gallery, which displays national and worldwide modern art and craft. Newtown hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1965. For all your home remodelings, make certain to identify respected experts in Newtown to make certain of quality.