CCTV installed to protect historic Newtown, Powys area

Following several incidents of vandalism, Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn Town Council has paid £2,345 for camera surveilance around St Mary’s Church to help deter further incidents and to protect the history of the area. 

Ed Humphreys, town council clerk, said: “Your town council provides and maintains St Mary's and its gardens as a recreational facility for anyone to enjoy, but anti-social behaviour can spoil that, and vandalism is expensive to the public purse. 

OTHER NEWS:

• Woman stole cash and cards from friend's home after being invited for a sleepover
• GP paints grisly picture of healthcare in Powys, saying 'system is broken'
• Police officer told to 'go back to your own country' in drunken racial rant

“CCTV may not be a full remedy to either, but it might go some way to deter or act as evidence for the police to investigate and help preserve St Mary's and gardens as a Newtown attraction and gem.”

The medieval St Mary’s Church, located near the River Severn and Elephant & Castle Hotel, was abandoned in 1856 and left to decay in favour of St David’s Church, where its bells were moved.

It is described by Cadw as a monument of “national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval ecclesiastical organisation”.  

Within the grounds lies the Pryce family’s small gothic mausoleum and the Grade II*-listed tomb of Newtown-born socialist and instigator of the co-operative movement Robert Owen.

The tomb, which Cadw says is a “fine example of commemorative sculpture and of special architectural interest”, depicts Owen’s work as a campaigner for education and improved conditions for working people and the reduction of child labour.