A fond farewell!

It’s been a highlight on the local social and sporting calendar for 14 years, but it all came to a marvellous end in front of a sell-out crowd at the weekend.

The last ever Mid Wales Rally Forum took place in front of a sold out audience at The Hafren, Newtown, a venue chosen due to demand meaning it had to switch from its usual venue of Theatr Clera in Welshpool.

The organisers have been running the event since 2004 and decided to end the forum whilst it was still a huge success and a sell-out.

Before Saturday night, £99,000 had been donated to charities, with the majority going to the Welsh Air Ambulance.

On Saturday night, the audience was treated to resident compare Howard Davies, interviewing such stars as Gwyndaf and Elfyn Evans, Tom Cave and Prodrive boss Dave Richards.

The evening was again a huge success, with an estimated £13,000 raised for charities.

One of the organisers, Phil Mills, the 2003 world rally co-driver champion, said at the end: “We would like to thank all the guests over the years who have given their time free of charge to help us achieve our goal of raising over £100,000 for local charities. And a massive thanks to all who donated auction lots and all who bought them as well.

“It’s been a lot of fun, I hope everyone has enjoyed the shows over the years as we have in organising them, but it’s time to put this wonderful event into a well-earned retirement!”

The charities to benefit from the final forum will be the Welsh Air Ambulance and Brecon Mountain Rescue.

PICTURE (Courtesy of Eifion Jones): Howard Davies interviewing Wales WRC hero Elfyn Evans and Dave Richards. Also in shot is the 1981 Brazil Rally winning Escort co driven by Dave Richards, which has just been fully restored and the Wales Rally GB trophy won by Elfyn in 2017.