Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council recently hosted the third Celebration of Newtown Awards, a night brimming with recognition and appreciation for those who have left a positive mark on our community.

The annual awards ceremony, organised by Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn Town Council was hosted by current Mayor of Newtown, Cllr John Byrne and Chair of the Council's Economy & Environment Committee, Cllr Richard Edwards.

The awards kicked off with a speech by the Mayor, reflecting on the purposes of the awards and the importance of kindness and achievements in the local community. The Mayor's chosen charities, The Salvation Army and Dementia Friendly Newtown, were also given the spotlight to showcase the impactful work they do within the community through their heartfelt speeches.

The awards kicked off with the Citizens Advice Powys and Town Council award, awarded jointly to Pobl.

Awards were then given to those those who had been awarded a community fund grant by the Town Council and was followed by recognition of firefighters from Newtown who on the 6th April 2024, celebrated their 150th anniversary

The evening then turned to the individual awards which recognised the vast array of talent, contribution and community spirit in our town with awards such as Volunteer of the Year, Young Person or Youth Group of the Year and Local Business of the Year.

The awards ceremony was closed by Graham Jennings, who was officially awarded with his honorary freedom of the town, which is awarded by town councillors for exceptional service to Newtown.

As the night drew to a close, Cllr John Byrne reflected on the enduring legacy of Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council, reaffirming its commitment to advocating for its residents and amplifying their voices.

The full winners were:

Community Fund Recognition Award

• Mid Wales Model Engineering Society
• Newtown WI
• Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre
• Happy Holidays – Hub of Hope Foundation
• Newtown and District Civic Society
• Treowen CP Primary School
• 2nd Newtown Guides Unit
• N-Able
• The Hafren
• Newtown Silver Band
• Mid Wales Wildcats Basketball Club
• Penygloddfa CP School
• Cultivate

Volunteer of the Year

• Winner - Christine Evans
• Runner Up - Audrey Leggit

Young Person or Youth Group of the Year

• Winner - Newtown Army Cadets
• Runners Up - Hope Allport & George Wareing

Local Business of the Year - Innovation & Enterprise

• Winner - Textile Junkies
• Runner Up - Mid Wales Photobooths and Event Hire

Local Business of the Year - Third Sector

• Winner - Rekindle
• Runner Up - All About Newtown

Local Business of the Year - Leisure, Hospitality and Tourism

• Winner - Hummingbird
• Runner Up - Costa Coffee Newtown

Climate & Sustainability Award

• Winner - Circular Economy Mid Wales
• Runner Up - Newtown Flying Start - Baby Bank

Sports Award

• Winner - Newtown Whitestars FC
• Runner Up - Stephen Lewis

Creative Arts Contribution Award

• Winner - Knit and Knatter Newtown
• Runner Up - Hafren Community Choir