Artist celebrates Robert Owen's birthday

Montgomeryshire artist Brian Jones celebrated what would have been the birthday of social reformer Robert Owen with a donation of two paintings to the Robert Owen Museum in the town during a weekend of celebrations.

Robert Owen was born and died in Newtown and is best known for pioneering the co-operative movement. Last weekend a service was held at his grave in St Mary's Church and an event was staged at the museum at the Town Council offices in his memory.

He was born on the 14 May 1771 and died on 17 November 1858.

On Saturday, artist Brian Jones presented the museum with two paintings of how Newtown town centre might have looked when Robert Owen was born. The event was attendd by Newtown Mayor Cllr Val Howard and Montgomeryshire AM, Russell George.