The day Hollywood star William Hurt came to Newtown

Award-winning actor William Hurt passed away last month aged 71 having starred in a host of films throughout a four decade career, receiving the Best Male Performance Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best Actor for his turn as a prisoner in Hector Babenco's drama Kiss of the Spider Woman in 1985.

However it was his performance in a lesser known film called Second Best which he is remembered - at least by many people in Newtown.

In 1994 the film adaptation of the 1991 book saw several scenes filmed in the grounds of Newtown Town Hall.

The actor spent the day in the town and met several locals while visiting a host of businesses.

William Hurt. Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP File).

David Rowlands said: "William Hurt came into our camera shop at Grants Photographics. Had a lovely chat with him and I sold him a Canon camera.

"What a lovely man. I shall never forget that day."

Mel Thomas said: "I worked in W H Smiths in Newtown at the time and served him. My mum was a big fan of his."

Joanne Clegg also remembered serving the Hollywood star but admitted she had no idea until after he left the store.

She said: "I served him in Morrisons. The manager came over and asked me if I realised who I had served. I had no idea apart from the fact his bank card had his photo on it, and it was an American one."

Newtown Town Hall. Picture: Geograph.

Vanessa Blakemore also remembered the day well, saying: "I'd just finished work and wanted to use the public toilets in car park, but you couldn't because they were filming inside.

"I watched the film and not many scenes were shown of Newtown."

Meanwhile Jo Saward recalled the filming had meant to be secret but word soon spread of one of Hollywood's big stars being at Newtown Town Hall.

She said: "The anticipation of the film release was tense. I can’t remember it in the cinema but certainly remember seeing it on TV.

"At the time there were a lot of film crews around mid Wales - the Englishman Who Went Up A Hill And Came Down A Mountain with Hugh Grant, Mortimer’s Law and A Knight's Tale.

"Mid Wales was buzzing in the early 90’s. So proud to live in the area."

Christopher Jones also shared his memories of the Hollywood star's filming in Newtown.

He said: "The scene with William Hurt in was on a bench in the town hall grounds with the young lad who was his co-star. The scene had a guy roller skating past which they filmed multiple times.

"The public amenities next to the cafe had part of a fake wall built onto by the set carpenters and the craftsmanship was amazing - just like real.

"The scene is in the film. I got it on DVD back in the day but my dad's friend Henry Morgan has it now as he had more to do with William Hurt as Hurt lived in Llangunllo and was a part of the local community there for some time.

"I recall watching the scene being shot from the carpark and seeing the food van being there and having an insight into the costs and everything that went into an outside location recording.

Mr Jones recalled being amazed that Newtown life continued without breaking stride.

He said: "I couldn't help being amazed that Newtown life just carried on oblivious to the fact that an A list Hollywood star had been sitting in the park working. It's part of the charm of the town and maybe what sells location recording in Wales.

"I remember 1998's Lost in Space was one of Hurt's next big budget commercial starring roles. Seeing this always took me back to the quiet, unassuming man,sat on the bench in the park in Newtown."