Llandysul is a historic town nestled on the banks of the famous sewin and salmon River Teifi and goes back to pre-Norman times. It straddles the boundary of two Local Authorities with Pontwelly located in Carmarthenshire and Llandysul in Ceredigion Unitary Authorities. The area is served by three Community Council areas that converge at Llandysul, namely Llanfihangel and Llangeler in the Carmarthenshire and Llandysul in Ceredigion. It is one of a chain of market towns that runs the length of the Teifi Valley, with Cardigan to the south, Newcastle-Emlyn, Llandysul, Llanybydder, and Lampeter with Tregaron at the source of the Teifi in the north.

It is a traditional market town where agriculture continues to play a significant role in the areas’ economy. In past times the hinterland made great use of the river as a trading route with woollen mills being a prevalent employer in the area. The Powerhouse, currently an arts and community centre, historically generated electricity from turbines based in the Teifi to supply the Llandysul and Pontwelly area.

Until the ‘Beeching’ period, Llandysul was served by a railway line, which aided the import and export of goods. At the railhead a livestock market was conveniently located to maximise the opportunities the railway brought. Regrettably, the livestock market ceased due to change in agricultural practices and to make way for the Llandysul Bypass, which formed a part of the Ceredigion link road scheme.

We have witnessed a decline in the provision of services in the town over the years, both in the private and public sector and the demise of the four major banks that once operated from our high street. We are once again at a crossroads and face immense challenges in high street provision. Undoubtedly, we will have to offer services and products that are not easily sought in out of town outlets.

The Welsh language continues to flourish in this predominantly Welsh speaking area of West Wales and, regionally, has one of the highest Welsh speaking wards in Ceredigion.