Newtown ready to celebrate 250th anniversary of Robert Owen's birth
A town is preparing to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of one of its most famous sons.
Newtown will mark the landmark birthday of the famous social reformer and philanthropist, Robert Owen, who was born in the town in 1771.
The milestone day is on Friday is being celebrated with a number of commemorative events throughout the year.
TV presenter and Springwatch star, Iolo Williams will feature in a new video celebrating Owen's life.
The short video, produced jointly by Robert Owen Memorial Museum and Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council, will be released on Friday on the town council’s Facebook page.
Rex Shayler, chairman of the museum, said: “To commemorate the 250th, Brian Jones has worked hard on a superb portrait of Robert Owen in his younger days with St Mary's Church in the background.
"I have seen Brian's painting in advance of the official, private unveiling on Friday. Afterwards, the painting will be on public display in the shop window of West Bromwich Building Society, on Broad Street in Newtown. I believe the portrait to be the best I have ever seen, and it will be an excellent asset to the museum.”
An online photographic exhibition has also launched this week and it is being hosted on the museum’s website.
It is being shown in a virtual 3D gallery, called “The Modern Face of Co-ops in Wales”.
More details of the 250th birthday events are on the museum’s website at www.robertowenmuseum.co.uk.
