"I was born in Charles Street, Brecon in October 1946. The house where I was born was a two up, two down and would be described now as a property in a side street within easy walking distance of the town centre.

When I was born into the household, the house had no running hot water and an outside toilet. My father, mother, sister and two brothers all lived there until family deaths and moves saw us vacate the property.

Brecon is a small market town of some 10,000 population and celebrated its 900th Anniversary as a town ship in 1993. Despite the fact that Brecon has a Cathedral it does not enjoy city status.

The town nestles in the shadow of the Brecon Beacons; in the valley of the River Usk, a river that supports salmon and trout. Two other rivers contribute to the majesty of the Usk; the Tarrell and the Honddu.

The town derives its Welsh name, Aberhonddu from Mouth of the river Honddu. Until 1963 Brecon enjoyed all the benefits that rail travel bestowed on her; employment and leisure, but this came to end when Dr. Beeching wielded his infamous axe and cut this vital link with, not only other parts of Wales, but other exciting destinations beyond our boundaries.

This lovely town is blessed at the moment with high levels of employment. The big players in the field of employment are; Agriculture, Local Government, Ministry of Defence and Tourism.

However, both agriculture and tourism suffered as a direct result of the foot and mouth epidemic that ravaged the country in 2001 and whilst some elements didn't recover, others are now getting back to some form of normality.

Because of these set backs, Brecon will be seen as a town in decline in the eyes of some observers. The town is suffering just like any other, with empty shops and probably more than its fair share of charity shops and building society outlets. However there are groups in place who are trying to arrest this perception of decline; namely the Brecon Action Group and the Brecknock Local Community Forum.

In August each year, Brecon plays host to an International Jazz Festival and also the oldest agricultural show in the country, Brecon Agricultural Show.

A ten-mile road race also takes place and in September a 100-Km cycle event known as The Beast takes place. Brecon also houses a brand new theatre, Theatr Brycheiniog, that is sited down on the canal terminus.

We can also boast an excellent cinema attracting films that are premiering in large city cinemas. For those visitors and residents who enjoy keeping fit, there is a large leisure centre just on the outskirts of town whilst in the promenade area of town, there is a first class bowls club operated by a band of dedicated club members.

Over the years, this small market town has been blessed with its fair share of well known people, some of whom may not necessarily set the heart racing at an alarming rate but they have nonetheless made their mark in life. These include Gwenllian Morgan who was born in Defynnog and lived in Buckingham Place, Glamorgan Street. Gwenllian became the first woman Town Councillor in Wales being Elected to Office in 1907 a long time before the Suffragette movement got officially under way.

All towns, be they in Wales or England, have enjoyed the ability of being able to produce from amongst their own, people of great vision and determination who have gone on to develop and enhance their towns for the benefit of residents and visitors alike. Brecon should not been seen as being any different in respect of this simple philosophy.

If you are not already involved, then contact one or both of the groups mentioned at the start of this review and use your knowledge and expertise to bring about the changes that will not only help change Brecon but hopefully help to ensure that Brecon has an enjoyable and healthy future to look forward to for many years to come."

Written by Ieuan Williams who came along to see us on the BBC Wales Bus when we visited Brecon in September 2003.