Presteigne

By the [[Laws in Wales Acts 1535–1542|Acts of Union]], Presteigne - at first jointly with [[New Radnor]] - became the [[county town]] of [[Radnorshire]] and its administrative and judicial centre, housing the county gaol and the [[Shire Hall, Presteigne|Shire Hall]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o8NCt_7hltwC&pg=PA171 |title= The Hidden Places of Wales|first=Joanna |last=Billing|publisher=Travel Publishing|year=2004|isbn= 978-1904434078 }}</ref>

By the [[Laws in Wales Acts 1535–1542|Acts of Union]], Presteigne - at first jointly with [[New Radnor]] - became the [[county town]] of [[Radnorshire]] and its administrative and judicial centre, housing the county gaol and the [[Shire Hall, Presteigne|Shire Hall]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o8NCt_7hltwC&pg=PA171 |title= The Hidden Places of Wales|first=Joanna |last=Billing|publisher=Travel Publishing|year=2004|isbn= 978-1904434078 }}</ref>

By the end of the 19th century its newer and larger neighbour, [[Llandrindod Wells]], had usurped the role of administrative centre, but Presteigne remained the venue for the [[Assizes]] until these were abolished in 1971.

By the end of the 19th century, its newer and larger neighbour, [[Llandrindod Wells]], had usurped the role of administrative centre, but Presteigne remained the venue for the [[Assizes]] until these were abolished in 1971.

After a period of stagnation in the first half of the 20th century, the town has developed a diverse manufacturing base<ref>{{cite web| title=Applegate| url=http://www.applegate.co.uk/indexes/towns/all-presteigne.htm| access-date=19 February 2007| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070415161957/http://www.applegate.co.uk/indexes/towns/all-presteigne.htm| archive-date=15 April 2007}}</ref> and has begun to exploit its tourism potential while its environment and the development of its social, cultural and leisure facilities have helped to attract people to settle.<ref>{{cite web| author=Keith Parker| title=BBC| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites/presteigne/pages/keith_parker.shtml| access-date=19 February 2007| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050526190542/http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites/presteigne/pages/keith_parker.shtml| archive-date=26 May 2005}}</ref>

After a period of stagnation in the first half of the 20th century, the town has developed a diverse manufacturing base<ref>{{cite web| title=Applegate| url=http://www.applegate.co.uk/indexes/towns/all-presteigne.htm| access-date=19 February 2007| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070415161957/http://www.applegate.co.uk/indexes/towns/all-presteigne.htm| archive-date=15 April 2007}}</ref> and has begun to exploit its tourism potential while its environment and the development of its social, cultural and leisure facilities have helped to attract people to settle.<ref>{{cite web| author=Keith Parker| title=BBC| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites/presteigne/pages/keith_parker.shtml| access-date=19 February 2007| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050526190542/http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites/presteigne/pages/keith_parker.shtml| archive-date=26 May 2005}}</ref>