Newtown honours Helen Kynaston as first Freewoman of the town

Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council has awarded its highest civic honour to long-serving community volunteer Helen Kynaston, naming her the first ever Freewoman of Newtown.

The title recognises decades of voluntary work and leadership across a wide range of local initiatives, many of which have become central to community life in Newtown and the surrounding area.

Helen retired last year after what the Town Council described as a lifetime of service. Over the years, she has played a key role in founding or supporting a number of well-known projects, including Cae Post Recycling Centre, The Phoenix Furniture Project in Trewern, Pont Hafren, Newtown Community Café, the Montgomery Citizen Advocacy Project, and the Newtown Volunteer Bureau. She has also been involved in mother and baby groups across the area, local Brownie and Girl Guide units, and Newtown Food Surplus.

One of her most visible contributions came during the Covid 19 pandemic, when she helped establish the Newtown Community Café. The initiative supported vulnerable and isolated residents, at one stage producing and delivering more than 80 meals each week. Helen continues to volunteer with the café and currently serves as its treasurer.

Mayor of Newtown, Councillor Pete Lewington, said Helen’s impact on the town had been significant.

“We all know that Helen retired last year after a lifetime of service to Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn, during which time she was incredibly hardworking and displayed endless community spirit and kindness,” he said.

“We know of the numerous groups and organisations that, through her determination and dedication to volunteering within our community, she has either started or been involved with, such as Newtown Community Café, Pont Hafren and Newtown Food Surplus, to name but a few.

“I’m sure we all agree that Helen has made an incredible difference to our town and, on behalf of the Town Council, I would like to congratulate Helen on becoming the first Freewoman of Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn. It is so very well deserved.”

While civic honours such as Freedom of the Town are relatively rare at local level, they are typically awarded to individuals who have made a lasting and exceptional contribution to their community.

The Town Council said the award reflects both the scale and the long-term impact of Helen’s work, with her efforts helping to shape support networks, strengthen local organisations and bring people together across Newtown.

In a statement, the council thanked Helen for the “countless hours” she has given to the community, adding that her contribution has helped make Newtown “a stronger, kinder and more connected place to live.”