Knighton, Powys

Knighton, Powys, has won the Environment category for the 2008 Calor Village of the Year® award for Wales.

With a population of nearly 4,000, the Powys village of Knighton is situated to the north east of Llandrindod Wells.

Positioned on the border with England, and at the meeting of three counties – Herefordshire, Shropshire and Powys – Knighton has a distinct identity of which it is both very aware and proud.

A friendly community, villagers are open and supportive, both to each other and to the many visitors who come to Knighton to enjoy its ancient and beautiful setting.

Currently in something of a state of flux and suffering through economic decline, villagers in Knighton refuse to be beaten and are working hard to reinvigorate the community.

Recent examples of this resurgent spirit include the formation of the Environmental Group, which has an emphasis on making the village more self-sustaining; the Town Forum, which helps find funding for improving areas of neglect; and the Tourism Group, which is actively helping Knighton become a base for the exploration of the neighbouring areas of interest and beauty. 

The Community Support Project in Knighton, which is funded from various sources, is a great example of how the village strives to help and support its residents.

The project works closely with Age Concern and arranges cars for hospital and other visits as well as running a Befriending Scheme to ensure that senior residents are not isolated.

Environmentally, Knighton is very successful. Within the village there is a community run allotment, a food distribution group and a strong Household Energy Group which is helping residents become aware of their energy consumption and waste. This group is also supporting the development of a local produce business.

Sustainability is Knighton has been taken to heart, exemplified through its having gained fair-trade status and the work with younger residents to promote and help them understand horticulture.