Constituency

Nestled between the spectacular countryside of the Brecon Beacons National Park and the vast expanses of moorland of the Eppynt and the Elan Valley, many locals think mid-Wales is this country's best kept secret.

Brecon and Radnorshire is the largest and most rural constituency in Wales covering over 3000 km2. It can take well over two hours to drive from one end of the constituency to the other. This has a large huge on the nature of my job as an MP, as the interests and needs of people in rural parts of the country are very different from those of city-dwellers. Transport links in Brecon and Radnorshire are fairly limited because of the sheer size of the constituency and its low density of population: only 1.4% of the population travel to work by public transport compared to an average in Wales of 6.5% and 14.6% in the UK. This means I travel much more widely to see constituents than do city MPs, as fixed surgeries aren't always the best way of getting to people who urgently need my help. This means that my travel expenses are much higher than those of inner-city MPs. I also hold surgeries for those who can make it to the large towns in the constituency.

With such a large expanse of land comes -perhaps predictably- a number of striking contrasts. The beautiful unspoiled countryside is set against an impressive heritage of Victorian Spa towns dotted around the constituency and a series of Edwardian dams and reservoirs built in the last century. The south-western part of the constituency is also home to former mining communities, in particular Ystradgynlais, which was hit hard by the collapse of heavy industry but which has done much in recent years to fight back.

According to the last population census in 2001, Brecon and Radnorshire counted 66,880 people, making it the 30th most sparsely populated constituency in the British Isles. With such a rural profile, it is unsurprising that just over 10% of the population in Brecon and Radnorshire are actively involved in agriculture and forestry, the 4th highest ratio for any constituency in the UK. Unemployment is relatively low at 3%, compared to a UK average of 3.5% and Wales at 3.4%. It also has a notably high proportion of pensioners - 23.8%, vs. 18.5% in the UK and 20.5% in Wales, making it one of the highest in terms of pensioner population of all the 659 UK constituencies. Although Brecon and Radnorshire falls behind the UK average in terms of gross weekly income (£334.70), it is just ahead of the Welsh average at £300.40 vs. £300.30 respectively at 2001 figures.

Brecon and Radnorshire

Brecon

A picturesque old market town (pop. 7000) set in the Brecon Beacons National Park besides the Usk. It has a castle, cathedral, modern theatre, two museums and many fine Georgian buildings. Brecon is an army town, being administrative headquarters of the army in Wales and home to a company of Gurkhas.

Builth Wells

Set picturesquely on the banks of the River Wye, Builth Wells has ancient origins, but became known as a spa town in Victorian times. Home to 2000 people, it is now famous for hosting the annual Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, the biggest and most important show of its kind in the UK.

Crickhowell

Crickhowell's architecture spans seven centuries and is full of interesting buildings, including the ancient Bear Hotel and the Georgian Latham House. Crickhowell sits alongside the River Usk, and is famous for its 13-arched bridge. This small market town boasts a 14th century church, a ruined castle, and open-air market. In the surrounding picturesque mountains nearby, hang-gliders can be seen floating to earth.

Hay-on-Wye

This delightful small town set beside the Black Mountains range is famous for its second-hand bookshops - 38 in all - and the world's biggest annual literary festival. The founder of the book trade, self-styled King of Hay Richard Booth, declared unilateral declaration of independence for the town - which a population of only 1600!

Knighton

The ancient market town of Knighton (pop. 2000) is crammed with interesting features including Tudor buildings, steep narrow streets, and an impressive clock tower similar to those in Hay-on-Wye and Rhayader. The Offa's Dyke Heritage Centre is a facility for walkers of the Offa's Dyke Path. This runs along the England/Wales border, roughly following the line of an earthwork built in Saxon times to keep the 'wild Welsh' out of the kingdom of Mercia.

Llandrindod Wells

Situated in the geographic centre of Wales, Llandrindod Wells is an old Victorian Spa town which still hosts a Victorian festival each summer to commemorate its vibrant past. The town counts around 4500 people and is home to the headquarters of Powys County Council.

Llanwrtyd Wells

With a population of just under 1500, Llanwrtyd Wells claims to be the smallest town in the UK! Formerly a Victorian spa town, it is surrounded by high hills and beautiful scenery. In recent years it is renowned for its annual bog snorkelling championship and Man vs. Horse competition.

Presteigne

In a recent survey Presteigne was voted 'the most desirable place to in the UK' because of its beautiful unspoiled countryside, its well preserved and elegant Tudor and Georgian architecture and the quality of its local facilities. Bordering England, Presteigne is home to 2000 people.

Rhayader

The peaceful small town of Rhayader set on the River Wye is gateway to the Elan Valley and the Cambrian mountains. It is renowned for its glorious countryside, and is a wonderful centre for viewing Red Kite. Glass-blowing can be watched at the Welsh Royal Crystal Factory. The nearby Elan Valley ('The Lakeland of Wales') is famous for its spectacular scenery of reservoirs and dams. The area is also a centre for motocross racing and cycling.

Talgarth

The small market town of Talgarth is renowned for producing national politicians: hometown of Roger Williams MP (which he represented as County Councillor for 20 years) and former MP for Brecon & Radnorshire, Lord Livsey of Talgarth! Talgarth has longstanding and important healthcare facilities.

Sennybridge

On the old mail coach road, now the A40, Sennybridge was once a busy market town. It is now the headquarters of the army who operate and train on the military ranges of the nearby Mynydd Eppynt.

Ystradgynlais

The largest conurbation in Brecon & Radnorshire with a population of about 8000, consisting of a small town and many neighbouring villages. The town has a long industrial history centred on coal and iron, with the last deep mines closing in the late 1960s. Open cast mining still operates on the edge of the town, an issue of great controversy with local residents. Light industry is developing well in the area.