“Welcome to Welshpool signs are a bit embarrassing”

Welshpool Town Mayor Cllr Nick Howells is calling on his fellow residents to roll up their sleeves and back his new initiative to tidy up the town.

Last week, we reported how Cllr Howells was keen to launch his Welshpool Ground Force project, but needed the support from the town.

And at this week's full council meeting he said the backing had come in spades, with businesses, organisations and individuals all willing to pitch in.

His call came in response to what he said were “quite venomous remarks” towards the town and county councils about the overgrown and unkept state of parts of the town.

“Rather than just whinge about it I thought we should think positive so suggested pulling a volunteer group together who could work to basically tidy up the town,” said Cllr Howells.

“The response has been positive with Tesco, Ponthafren, Morrisons, and the Church in Wales School all wanting to get involved."

He said that several people had responded by pushing the blame on who is responsible elsewhere but he said: “Quite honestly I don’t care who owns them I just want the town to look nice.”

Councillors backed the proposal and posters will be distributed in the coming days looking for volunteers to get on board.

Cllr Phil Pritchard raised the issue of the state of the signage coming into the town and Cllr Howells replied: “At this point, the Welcome to Welshpool signs are a bit embarrassing. I am happy to get my own strimmer out and do it.”

Cllr Robinson said a big effort needed to be made to get more people involved and “not just the same people as always”.