The end of the bunting as Welshpool to unfurl 50 Welsh flags

Welshpool visitors will certainly know they are in Wales this year with the Town Council deciding to replace the bunting with 50 Wales flags.

The sign of patriotic fervour was backed last night by the Events and Planning Committee after concerns were raised about the forlorn look of the year-round bunting.

The bunting needs to be replaced, so an option to buy the flags instead at the same cost of £2,000 was floated.

Councillors backed the idea, stating that they would try it for a year and gauge the public response.

“Having picked up the fallen bunting myself, I pictured in my head how the flags would look instead and I certainly would support having them in place, rather than bunting,” said Cllr Morag Bailey.

Cllr Sally Fitzgerald agreed, pointing out that she felt the bunting “looks awful” when there are heavy winds and they come down.

But Town Mayor Cllr Phil Owen, said he preferred the bunting, highlighting that other towns in Mid Wales have the flags flying.

“One being Dolgellau, and you don’t really notice them,” he said. “I think the bunting looks nice, it’s cheerful, and I would be in favour of retaining it and getting better quality bunting.”

In the end it was supported by a vote, with only Cllr Owen deciding to abstain.