Dear Fellow Residents of Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn,
During 2025 it has been a privilege, as Mayor, to continue to attend a wide variety of events culminating recently in the spectacular kicking off Christmas event and to witness first hand our community spirit in action. Our town has continued to host many well attended events which have shown not only what our community can do but also highlighted the beauty of Newtown – from its historical buildings to its magnificent open green spaces. These events have been enjoyed by our residents , attracted many visitors, and acted as magnificent showcases for our town and its people.
I was also immensely proud and honoured that your town council re-introduced the Mayor’s Civic Service and I would like to re-iterate my thanks to everyone who helped in the organisation of this and all the local organisations and residents who attended and made it such a special day for our community. On the day I felt extremely humbled and proud to be unexpectedly presented with a lovely thank you card from the children of Ysgol Robert Owen something which meant a lot to me and something which I will cherish.
Being Mayor, just as being a councillor is an honour, but it’s also a responsibility – a reminder that leadership is about listening, about compassion, and about putting people first. Each of us, in our own way, has a part to play in shaping the kind of town we want to be – caring, inclusive, and forward-looking. It’s about making decisions in the interests of the community as a whole.
I want to thank everyone who gives their time and energy to support others – my fellow town councillors, our council staff, county councillors and all our volunteers, charities, carers, emergency services, schools, faith groups, community groups and local businesses who give so much of their time. Your work often goes unseen, but it is deeply felt. Your dedication often happens quietly, behind the scenes, but it makes a huge difference to the lives of others and keeps our town running. Thank you for everything you do to make our town such a special community through working together for the common good.
As Mayor I firmly believe in community and inclusion – ensuring that every voice is heard, every person is valued, and everyone feels that they belong. I believe our strength lies in how we include and support one another and a truly strong community is one where no one’s left behind. There is no limit to what we can achieve when we all work together.
Civic life isn’t just about meetings, decisions, or policies – it’s about people. It’s about compassion, respect, and a shared commitment to serve. While we may come from different backgrounds or beliefs, we share the same hopes – for safety, dignity, and opportunity for all. These are the values that unite us as councillors and as citizens and remind us why we serve, and they are the values that must guide our work.
Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn is a great place to live, and we should remember that as we come together at this time of year to celebrate Christmas and look forward to a new year- we have every reason to be proud of our town and our community. We should also remember to show a little kindness to each other at every possible opportunity as it’s those small acts that put a smile on people’s faces and a spring in their step.
I would like to wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas and send you my sincere best wishes for 2026 which I hope will be a great year for all of you.
It is an honour to serve you, and on behalf of your town council I thank each and every one of you for your contribution – no matter how big or small you may think that is – to making Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn such a great place to live. Let us keep that spirit of service alive in everything we do, working side by side for the good of all. As we look ahead to a new year, let’s continue to build a community that is welcoming, inclusive, and full of opportunity.
Together, we can make a real difference – for our town, and for everyone who is proud to call it home.
Merry Christmas one and all.
Cyng / Cllr Pete Lewington
Maer / Mayor
Cyngor Tref y Drenewydd a Llanllwchaearn
Town Council of Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn