The last few weeks have been busy but important for the constituency and indeed for the whole country, writes Fay Jones MP.

I was honoured to have been able to represent Brecon and Radnorshire at the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III earlier in the month; a really wonderful day and a thrill to see such a historic occasion in person, particularly as someone whose first job after university was in the private office of the then Prince of Wales. 

A big event in the life of the constituency was the unilateral decision to change the name of the Brecon Beacons to Bannau Brycheiniog.

I met residents and business owners at the launch of the Bannau Brycheiniog/Brecon Beacons Businesses Group campaign and absolutely got a sense of the outrage there at the lack of consultation for this change.

This is a very significant change with potential ramifications for businesses whose customers are drawn to the Park as a result of its international reputation, with its name an intricate part of that, so it is right to expect consultation.

OTHER NEWS

We have learned this month that two bank branches in the constituency are sadly set to close: the Lloyds branch in Ystradgynlais, and the Barclays branch in Brecon.

It is always regrettable to see these closures, and many regular users of the branches will be understandably unsettled, but it is important to face up to the future in recognising that banking is changing.

County Times:

I will not promise false hope but instead will do everything in my power to ensure customers are supported to transition to alternative ways to bank, as I made clear during my meeting with Lloyds and will certainly be again with Barclays soon.

I was delighted that in Lloyds’ case, my lobbying has resulted in the cash point being retained.  

In happier news, having met with a number of my farmers earlier in the month, I took their concerns to Downing Street for the Farm to Fork Summit, highlighting particularly the issues caused by international purchase of land for ‘greenwashing’ which does make it harder for local people to make their way onto the ladder in farming.

The final few days have topped off this intensity, with visits to Fforest Fields and Rockbridge Park to discuss Wales Tourism Week, the Powys Radnor Federation of Women’s Institutes Show in Knighton, and a very useful meeting at New Radnor with local police and Community Councillors to discuss speeding motorbikes.

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