article: The Powys community, near Brecon, which has about 1,000 residents, is the only ward in Wales where no-one wants to stand as a councillor. It is set to go unrepresented on Thursday as voters across Wales go to the polls for the local elections. But why does nobody want to represent Yscir? Elsewhere in Wales, there are 92 uncontested seats, where councillors will be returned without any votes being cast, but Yscir currently stands alone as being unrepresented. Incumbent Gillian Thomas, one of several independent councillors in Powys, is retiring and, so far, no-one wants to replace her. And the impending void is news to some people. Retired couple Tess and Brian Birtles, of Aberyscir, had not heard their ward would be left without a voice. Mr Birtles, a former communications firm boss, said he was disappointed, adding: "Powys could have done more to encourage people to stand in the ward, because ultimately it will mean that we're not represented at the local government." Still, he does not want the job himself. "I'd find it immensely frustrating," he said, "because it doesn't seem very much is done by the councils these days apart from cutting services and reducing costs." "It's quite sad", Mrs Birtles added, speculating people might not want to stand "because we're not suffering the austerity measures that some areas are experiencing" with many of the residents retirees. People, in Yscir, she said, were "living the good life". But that is not to say they all think it is rosy in the garden. There have been complaints about changes to waste services, while the decision to close Welsh-medium stream at Brecon High School has also sparked debate. Ms Thomas, 79, said it was "not good for democracy" no-one had put their name forward. "When I won the last election I said that would be my last term," she said. "My age is getting on, and I want to do things I want to do." Ms Thomas, who had previously had a farm in the ward before moving to Brecon, said she had found the job "very rewarding". "When my husband died very suddenly at an early age, it really saved me that I had an outside interest," she said. So, what is putting people off taking up the cudgels in Ms Thomas' absence? "I think it's quite big shoes to fill," said Valerie Davies, who has lived with her husband, Peter, in Aberyscir for eight years. She said the lack of a willing replacement was a "sad reflection" on the community, but also questioned who would want to join a club "being continually attacked by the rest of the populace". Mr Davies - 35-year army veteran who, like his wife, is now retired - said most people's dealings with the council concerned planning. "It wasn't advertised or publicised that nobody was standing," he added. He said he might consider it, but added: "The dealings I've had with parish councils over the years, it always ends up looking a bit petty." What about younger residents? Eliot Lawrence, 32, of nearby Cradoc,
summary: It is picturesque, with stunning views of Pen y Fan and a charming rural setting, but Yscir has a unique problem.