The Town Council has thirteen Members, nine representing the Ward of Presteigne and four representing the Ward of Norton. Brief details on each Councillor are included below.
There are currently two vacancies on the Town Council. Both for the Presteigne Ward.
2023/24 Mayor, Cllr. Beverley Baynham (PRESTEIGNE WARD) (ELECTED MAY 2022)
Email: cllr.beverley.baynham@powys.gov.uk Telephone: 07976 928039 (PCC).
Cllr. Beverley Baynham has been a councillor since 2008 and was Mayor for the first time in 2013. She is a traditional local farmers daughter who grew up in the area and attended school in Presteigne. She originally joined the council as she wished to put something back into the local community, and over time has worked on numerous community projects. She has two children and works as the Chief Officer for a local charitable organisation in the private care sector. She has particular interests in facilities for children, affordable housing, the community and financial issues.
She is presently an LEA Governor of Presteigne Primary School and Newtown High School, representing the interests of the John Beddoes Campus.
In January 2014 Beverley resurrected Presteigne Carnival which ceased almost 20 years before, it turned out to be a huge success and has continued as a wonderful annual community event. Happy that the Carnival was once again established Beverley relinquished her role on the committee.
Beverley is qualified to Level 5 in NVQ's and Level 3 in the Association of Accounting Technicians. She considers herself to be a hard working, enthusiastic and approachable Councillor.
In May 2017 Beverley was elected as County Councillor for Presteigne and Norton. During the term of office, she was Chairman of Powys County Council. Beverley stood again at the 2022 elections, and was re-elected for the new Presteigne Ward.
2023/24 Deputy Mayor (from November 2023), Cllr. Trevor Owens (PRESTEIGNE WARD) (ELECTED MAY 2022)
Email: t.owens.pntc@gmail.com Telephone: 07910 072825
Joined Council May 2017.
Trevor has lived in or around Presteigne and Norton all his llife. He has enjoyed long associations with the football, cricket and Young Farmers Clubs and has also been MC at the Town Carnival. He works for the BBC and has been in the media world for over 30 years.
Cllr. Leon Abecasis (PRESTEIGNE WARD) (ELECTED MAY 2022)
Telephone: 01544 262824 or 07805 727486 Email: leonabecasis@gmail.com
Joined Council May 2022.
Leon moved into Presteigne 15 years ago and has never felt more at home than he does here. He feels that is down to the wonderful people who live and work here. Leon and partner Annemarie have been working at The Salty Dog for the past 11 years and during that time; he has been involved in; fundraising for the Presteigne Little People Play Group, organised (along with the members of Connect) the very successful Presteigne Food and Flower Festivals and the Christmas Fair, fought the ongoing fight against the town parking charges and the adoption of the recycling centre, which helped to raise a substantial amount of money for the community, all this whilst cooking some scrumptious food.
Cllr. Deb Edwards (NORTON WARD) (ELECTED MAY 2022)
Telephone: 01544 260074 or 07794 351569 Email: cllr.deborah.edwards@powys.gov.uk
Joined Council May 2017.
Deb says 'I have had the privilege to have been raised in this beautiful part of the world and have been lucky enough to gain employment locally and so to be able to stay and live here.' She worked for many years for the Royal Mail and so physically knows Presteigne and Norton well. She previously trained and engaged in the hospitality industry within the area. She hopes that residents will find her approachable, friendly and helpful.
Deb was also elected as County Councillor for the newly formed Llangunllo with Norton Ward in May 2022.
Cllr. Lewers Firth (NORTON WARD) (CO-OPTED SEPTEMBER 2022)
Email: lewers.firthpntc@outlook.com
Lewers moved to Norton 20 years ago and now lives in Presteigne with his family. He is the owner and Managing Director of Firth Construction, a Presteigne based business he founded 10 years ago. Lewers is passionate about the town and its community and has been involved in various projects such as the build of the Community Barn, Nicole and Martin’s theatre, Sheep Music Festival and the recent Ukrainian fundraising gig.
As a new member to the Town Council Lewers is looking forward to being involved in more community ventures and helping to improve the facilities and activities in the town, not just for the current residents but also for the future generation.
Cllr. Juliet Gray (PRESTEIGNE WARD) (CO-OPTED JULY 2022)
Email: julietgray.pntc@gmail.com
Joined Council July, 2022
My name is Juliet and I live in the centre of Presteigne with my partner and young son. We’ve lived here for nearly four years, although my partner grew up just over the border. I’m originally from Monmouthshire and have lived in Brighton, London and Australia before settling here in the wonderful Presteigne. I’ve been a social worker for nearly 15 years and currently work for Powys County Council in one of the Child Protection teams. Like many, I’ve spent the last 3 years mostly working from our spare room with my energetic toddler joining the odd Zoom call! As a parent of a child who will soon be attending the local pre-school and eventually Presteigne primary school, I have an interest in community projects and currently make very good use of the wonderful barn, Went's Meadow and library.
Cllr. Fiona Preece (PRESTEIGNE WARD) ( ELECTED MAY 2022)
Email: fiona.preecepntc@gmail.com Address: 6 Greenfield Road, Presteigne, LD8 2AY.
Joined Council July 2017.
Cllr Fiona Preece has lived in Norton and Presteigne all her life. Cllr Fiona Preece has lived in Norton and Presteigne all her life. She joined the Town Council because she would like to work to help all clubs and organisations in the area. She currently helps to run Presteigne Cubs, and she is also involved at district level for Scouting in Radnor. She considers herself a hard worker and tries to be an approachable councillor. She currently works for Powys County Council. Since the Radnorshire Arms closed she has been liaising with the VSCC to help with their visits to Presteigne each October and in particular with the anniversary celebrations in 2019 .She considers herself a hard worker and tries to be an approachable councillor.
Cllr. Mark Price (PRESTEIGNE WARD) (CO-OPTED JULY 2022)
Telephone: 07831 670960 Email: markp2250@gmail.com
Mark was born and raised in Discoyd and has spent his entire life within 3 miles of Presteigne. He went to the Dame Anna Childe Primary School at Whitton, followed by John Beddoes High School. He worked alongside his father in the family agricultural contracting business, supporting farmers both locally and further afield. Being directly involved with the agricultural community has enabled him to see the protection and support needed for our community, covering both planning issues, pollution and the environment
Cllr. Andre Vanhuls (NORTON WARD) (CO-OPTED SEPTEMBER 2022)
Telephone: 07528 579940 Email: andretowncouncil@outlook.com
Andre has a background as a chef but now works as a telephone engineer. He is married with two children and moved to Norton from Stonewall Hill in April 2020 when he purchased his first home. He loves Norton and wants to be a part of the local progression.
Cllr. John Wilding (NORTON WARD) (CO-OPTED SPETEMBER 2022)
Email: johnwilding@btinternet.com
Cllr. Wilding is a farmer and builder and lives in Norton. His family has lived in Norton for over 90 years. He has served as a Town and Community Councillor for a number of years and has served as Mayor for three terms of office.
Cllr. Mark Williams (PRESTEIGNE WARD) (ELECTED MAY 2022)
Telephone: 01544 260889 Email: mwilliamsptc76@gmail.com
Mark is a semi-retired journalist, editor and publishing consultant who has been (for almost 40 years) , and still is, actively involved in many local community projects, including as a trustee (and ex-Chairman) of Sheep Music, Presteigne Screen, Broad Sheep, covid stwearding, editor of the Brecon and Radnor Express, the panto etc.
He has had a long held ambition to serve the community more formally as a Town Councillor which he hopes his love and knowledge of this remarkable little town will stand him in good stead for.