Politicians' tributes as Powys County Times hits 130

In Powys, it is a key role of the County Times to highlight the good, the bad and the downright peculiar aspects of politics, whether on a local or national level.

As we mark 130 years of the County Times' history, the county's current MPs, Craig Williams and Fay Jones, were asked to share their thoughts on the title and its place in the history – and the future – of the county.

Montgomeryshire MP Mr Williams said: "On the 130th anniversary of the County Times, it seems a fitting opportunity to take stock of the valuable role it has played – and continues to play – across Mid Wales.

"Having been born and bred within Montgomeryshire, I like all of us have always known the County Times as a fundamental staple of Montgomeryshire life. Indeed, my history with the paper goes further than some, as for many years their office was located within the Montgomeryshire Conservative Association building in Welshpool, which is now my constituency office!

William Hague and  Craig Williams visit to Newtown with, Glyn Davies, Russell George AM and County Times reporter Anwen Parry in 2019. Picture by Phil Blagg.

"Throughout its existence, the County Times has helped to bring our communities together, enabling residents in Llansantffraid to read of the latest news from Machynlleth and further afield. The paper fosters a sense of togetherness, keeping communities informed and connected with each other.

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"The County Times has always been a champion of local businesses, schools, organisations and individuals, giving them an invaluable platform for which to share their news, promote events and ensure that ‘good news’ stories are publicised across the area.

William Hague and  Craig Williams visit to Newtown with, Glyn Davies, Russell George AM and County Times reporter Anwen Parry in 2019. Picture by Phil Blagg.

"It has also had its fair share of talented local journalists and staff throughout its history, all of whom have had a brilliant understanding of Montgomeryshire’s rich history, culture and the pressing issues of the day, providing in-depth context for readers.

"Fundamentally, the County Times has provided an important platform for residents to voice their opinions and concerns, helping to hold our local authorities and politicians (including me) to account, and to report local government decisions and policies which affect us all.

"In the face of the digital age, it is a tribute to the County Times’ reach and history that it remains an essential weekly purchase for so many of us.

"I would like to wish the County Times a very happy 130th anniversary, and here’s to another 130 years."

Brecon and Radnorshire MP Fay Jones wrote: "Many news organisations come, and they go, with many notable national and local examples of collapses in recent years.

I"t takes a remarkable organisation to stay the course decade after decade, 13 in the case of the Powys County Times. And truly remarkable it is, etched into the communities it serves since it reported on the hosting – for the first time since 1885 I should add – of the 1893 Shropshire and West Midland Agricultural Show in a town, Knighton, which today provides one of the constituency’s biggest employers, Radnor Hills, whose fine new office I was opening just two months ago.

"Of course, Knighton continues to host shows, with the Knighton Show featuring very prominently in my diary as I look ahead to a very busy summer of shows and at which, I have no doubt, the Powys County Times will be reporting as reliably and robustly as ever.

"Having quickly built sales of 3,000 per week by the mid-1890s and absorbing other local newspapers, it survived the wartime death of its Director John Rowlands in 1944 shortly after D-Day and the mergers and de-mergers that have come since.

"From the changes that devolution has brought, to water quality in the Rivers Usk and Wye, through to the pylons and windfarm proposals that have evoked such strong feelings throughout among its readership, the Powys County Times has absolutely had its finger on the pulse of all of these key local issues, importantly seeking to report them in a non-partisan way, and long may it continue to do so."

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