Looking back on the best read stories from Powys from 2021

The last 12 months have been tough for the people of Powys as we grapple with the ongoing pandemic and rolling lockdown restrictions.

Thankfully it has not all been doom and gloom and the last year has seen some positive stories emerge from our wonderful our communities.

The County Times has reported it all and our talented and committed team of reporters looks forward to serving our readers again in 2022.

With that in mind we look back at the last year and review the stories that mattered most to you.

January

World's most expensive unbroken sheepdog puppy sold by Powys trialist

A Powys sheepdog trialist set a new world record price after selling an unbroken pup for £6,100.

David Evans, who farms at Penclyn, Brecon, sold 11-week-old black and white Border Collie, Bet, at the Skipton online sheepdog sale.

Read more - World's most expensive unbroken sheepdog puppy sold by Powys trialist

Bet the Border Collie.

February

Covid fines issued by Welshpool Police at Powys beauty spot

SEVERAL people were hit with fines after police stopped a ‘large number’ of vehicles heading to Powys beauty spots.

Vehicles were turned around at Lake Vyrnwy and Llanrhaeadr Waterfalls while reports were submitted for several vehicles with no license or insurance.

Read more - Covid fines issued by Welshpool Police at Powys beauty spot

Fines at Lake Vyrnwy.

March

Has Charlotte Church bought Mid Wales mansion for £1.5m?

SINGER Charlotte Church splashed out over £1 million on a 15th century seven-bed Radnorshire mansion previously owned by mid Wales fashion icon Laura Ashley.

Rhydoldog House, just outside Rhayader, which was sold by the Ashley family in 2009 and has its own helicopter landing area, was reportedly been bought by Church for £1.5m.

Read more - Has Charlotte Church bought Mid Wales mansion for £1.5m?

Charlotte Church.

April

Richard Hammond bumps cars as he films in Powys

SHOCKING footage emerged of a rather famous motorist going berserk over a parking space and persistently ramming into two cars on a quiet street in Crickhowell.

Thankfully, rather than a bout of serious road rage, it was a staged incident – involving none other than TV presenter Richard Hammond.

Read more - Richard Hammond bumps cars as he films in Powys

James May, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond.

May

The Grand Tour apologise for being 'litter louts' in Powys

TV SHOW producers apologised to residents of a Powys village after farmland was left littered with debris of smashed up cars following filming.

The Grand Tour – which stars former Top Gear icons Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May – spent time on location in mid Wales but angered a Beulah resident who discovered smashed up pieces of bumper, wing mirrors and lights in a village field.

Read more - The Grand Tour apologise for being 'litter louts' in Powys

James May, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond.

June

Singer wants people to join her at "magical" Mid Wales home

CHARLOTTE Church urged people to come and join her amidst the “magical wonder” of her new Mid Wales home as she pressed ahead with plans to open a new healing retreat centre near Rhayader.

Read more - Singer wants people to join her at "magical" Mid Wales home

Rhydoldog House.

July

Powys farm sited in "real farming country", say agents

A Llandrindod Wells farm with 165 acres of pasture land would make an "ideal investment" after coming onto the market, estate agents said.

Knighton based agent McCartneys said the farm at Pentwyn on Llanbister Road was up for sale.

Read more - Powys farm sited in "real farming country", say agents

Pentwyn on Llanbister Road.

August

Powys waterfall voted one of UK's top 10 hidden gems by tourists

A POWYS waterfall was voted among the top 10 hidden gems in the United Kingdom.

Sgwd Yr Eira waterfall in the Brecon Beacons was ranked the UK's eighth best-hidden gem according to research while an additional five Welsh locations off the beaten track also ranked in the overall top 20.

Read more - Powys waterfall voted one of UK's top 10 hidden gems by tourists

Sgwd Yr Eira waterfall.

September

Over 200 dogs rescued in mid Wales puppy farm operation

A seven-month trading standards investigation into mid Wales puppy farming led to the rescue of over 200 neglected dogs.

Read more - Over 200 dogs rescued in mid Wales puppy farm operation

Over 200 dogs were rescued.

October

Area of Newtown cordoned off by emergency services on Saturday morning

AN AREA of Newtown near to the river Severn was cordoned off by police.

Several vehicles from Dyfed-Powys Police and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were seen parked at the Elephant and Castle Hotel in Long Bridge Street while they responded to the incident.

Police officers later confirmed an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of a man whose body was found under the bridge.

Read more - Area of Newtown cordoned off by emergency services on Saturday morning

Emergency vehicles in Newtown.

November

Six-month overnight closure on Powys road linking north and south Wales

A section of road linking north and south Wales would be closed intermittently for around six months while work was carried out to fix a bridge in a village near Newtown, it was announced.

The overnight closure at Caersws Bridge on the A470 trunk road will be in place between November 22 and May 20, the Welsh Government announced.

Read more - Six-month overnight closure on Powys road linking north and south Wales

Caersws Bridge.

December

Carnage galore as the Grand Tour comes to Mid Wales

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May's adventures in the Cambrian Mountains and the south of Powys featured in The Grand Tour: Carnage A Trois which was released to stream during the festive period.

Read more - Carnage galore as the Grand Tour comes to Mid Wales

James May, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond.