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New Radnor () is a village and community in Powys, Wales. It is south of Radnor Forest, and was historically the county town of Radnorshire.

In the 2001 census, the community's population of 410 was split evenly between male and female, in 192 households. The population at the 2011 census was 409. The layout of the then town within the banks might suggest that New Radnor started life as a Roman town or Saxon burgh although there is no evidence for this and it is most likely a planned medieval layout, possibly on the 13th century, when three murage grants were made to the town.

County town status

thumb|The "Wimberry" market New Radnor,

New Radnor when it was the county town had its own Court. This later moved to Presteigne. The old Town Hall on Broad Street has been demolished.

The parliamentary seat of Radnor was sometimes involved in turbulent local politics, as in 1693 when two rival families the Lewis's (Whigs) and the Harley's (Tories) met on the High Street in New Radnor and drew swords, such was the bad blood between them. One man involved, later Sir Robert Harley, 1st Earl of Oxford and Mortimer, becoming MP, three times Speaker of the House of Commons and also Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1710 and later Lord High Treasurer, and very nearly Prime Minister. But he was to be dismissed by the Queen, imprisoned in The Tower in 1715. He died in 1724 and is buried in Brampton Bryan.

While it was historically a town, following its reduction in size and importance, it is now referred to as a village.

New Radnor monument

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There is a large monument in the village which is a Grade II* listed structure and stands at approximately 77&nbsp;ft tall. The monument was built in memory of Sir George Cornewall Lewis (1806–1863) and designed in High Victorian Gothic style by John Gibbs. Sir George was the son of Sir Thomas Frankland Lewis of Harpton Court near New Radnor. The family owned large estates and were powerful men both sides of the border. Sir George became a lawyer and went on to become the MP for Herefordshire. He also served as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Home Secretary and Secretary of State for War. In the last decade the monument has fallen into a state of disrepair and has had to be sealed off from the general public. But in September 2001 the local authorities agreed to pay out on renovation work for the monument.

As of February 2009, the monument is again fenced off and awaiting repair, and has been for more than two years. There seems to be some doubt as to which body is responsible for its upkeep. As of January 2012, the monument has undergone repair and is accessible again.

Rural area and tourism

New Radnor's main sources of income and employment are still from farming and agriculture. Today there are also smaller businesses such as cider making, picture framing and holiday homes, bed & breakfast establishments and tourism in general. There is also a quarry nearby which employs local people. The stone is known locally for being extremely

hard.

Railway history

With ambitions for an east–west railway line to Aberystwyth, the Kington and Eardisley Railway extended the Leominster and Kington Railway from Kington, Herefordshire, England. Other than the small station from the town, the plans never came to fruition, only allowing services on the Great Western Railway to both Leominster and onwards to London Paddington. The station closed to passengers in February 1951, and for freight in December 1951.

Sport

The village has a football club called Radnor Valley Football Club.

Harpton Golf Club (now defunct) was founded in 1909. The club and course closed in 1934.

Amenities

There is a chapel, a church, a village hall, a war memorial and a primary school teaching approx 80 pupils. The village Post Office closed in 2008.

Notable people

  • John Henry Hutton FRAI (1885–1968) anthropologist and administrator in the Indian Civil Service during the period of the British Raj.

References

  • The Radnor Valley