The parish of Bettws Cedewain lies in a sheltered valley on the banks of the Bechan river. It is about five miles from Newtown. The name “Bettws ” comes from the Welsh, meaning prayer house. The village is ancient, and the site was probably used by Roman soldiers. An ancient church was founded here by St. Beuno in the 6^th century. This is an agricultural community. The population in the 19^th century was 579 people.