Swansea MG Enthusiasts Club
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Swansea MG Enthusiasts Club |
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Past Events
15th Annual Beacons Run - 26th September 2010
List of Entries Advertisers and Donations Our 2011 Events Calendar
Photographs of Club Members' cars on the Beacon Run
Presentation of Cheque to Maggie's Cancer Care
The Beacons Run is sponsored by the Swansea MG Enthusiasts Club and this year was in aid of the Maggie's Cancer Care Unit based at Singleton Hospital, Swansea. The charity are working towards raising £3 million for a new centre which will be built at the South West Cancer Centre at the hospital.
The event was organised by Bryant and Carol Hutson and about £1,000 was raised for this year's sponsored charity.
There were 70 pre-booked entries and two more showed up on the day at the central car park at Ammanford. Length of the run this year was 125 miles through some of the prettiest countryside in Wales.
Entrants were handed a booklet showing the route, with "coffee" stops, viewpoints and other interesting places clearly marked. Although entries were mainly from South and West Wales, other enthusiasts travelled from as far as the Isle of Wight, Cheltenham, Southampton and the West Midlands to take part. Wherever they came from all agreed at the finish that it had been a great success, made even better by the sunny weather.
Llandeilo to Talley
After leaving the car park the cars headed for Llandeilo, then on to Talley, where photographer David Boneham took photographs of all cars as they went past him. The photographs were then to be made available on a Cd and sold for £4 to anyone interested. All profits will be donated to Maggie's Cancer Care Charity. David is to be thanked for providing his services free and for waiving his copyright on all the pictures he took. Contact the Club Secretary if you would like a CD.
Dolau Cothi to Llanddewi Brefi
The next point of interest was Dolau Cothi Gold Mines, where guided tours are available.
Passing through the small villages of Pumsaint and Cwmann, we turned right on to the B433 towards Cellan and the small church of All Saints and headed for Llanddewi Breifi, 36 miles from our starting point. This village was made famous by the similarity of its name to "Llandewi Breffi", the fictional home of Daffyd Thomas, a character in the BBC comedy "Little Britain". The village seen in the comedy series was not, however, filmed in the real Llanddewi Brefi, and the locations used bear no resemblance to any part of the real village.
Tregaron
Around the 39 mile mark we arrived at Tregaron [a recommended coffee stops]. Tregaron is located on one of Europe's largest growin peat bogs - Cors Goch Glan Treifi - an important nature reserve sheltering an abundance of flora and fauna, including the Red Kite.
Leaving Tregaron we passed through Pontrhydfendigaig, with Strata Florida signposted on the right, and forked left towards the Devil's Bridge. At the 51 mile point we turned onto a mountain road signposted Hafod, passing the Forest walk picnic area, and within a few miles arrived at the Bridge.
Devil's Bridge to Llangurig
This famous beauty spot is also the terminus of the Vale of Rheidol narrow gauge railway to Aberystwyth. There is a good choice of cafes to visit after a short walk to see the waterfalls. The Mynach Falls drop 300 feet from the River Mynach to the River Rheidol, and the three "stacked" bridges are a spectacular sight.
On leaving the Devil's Bridge we took the A4120 and headed towards Ponterwyd, forking right after a couple of miles towards Dyffryn Castell and finally arriving at Llangurig for a possible lunch stop at the Blue Bell Inn. We then headed for Rhayader a 15 minute drive away.
Rhayader
Plenty of pubs and cafes here! Situated at a natural crossroads between west, north and south, the town has for centuries welcomed travellers, such as the Romans who had a camp in the Elan valley, Monks journeying between the abbeys of Strata Florida and Abbeycwmhir and Drover travelling to far off markets. Today things are more tranquil and visitors enjoy the stunning landscapes, some rare and beautiful wildlife, the weekly Livestock Markets - and for the energetic, walking and mountain biking.
Llandovery to Llandeilo
We left Rhayader and headed on the A470 towards Builth Wells, turning right just before Newbridge on Wye on to the B4538 signposted Beulah. A right turn on to the A483 and a few miles of easy driving took us through Llandrindod Wells, passing a viewpoint over the valley where the Heart of Wales Railway runs.
With 112 miles on the odometer Llandovery arrived and it was then a turn on to the A40 for the final run to Llandeilo and the White Hart Inn, where we had refreshments provided by the Club and the raffle was drawn.
. . . and finally Thanks from the Organisers
The organising team at Swansea MG Enthusiasts hope you enjoyed your day out. We thank everyone for their support and look forward to seeing you again at the the 16th Beacons Run in September 2011.
Advertisers, Donations & Raffle Prizes
Ashmole Ltd, [Accountants & Auditors] Ammanford
BKS, [Fitted Kitchens], Swansea
Gary Davies, [Heating & Plumbing] Swansea
Kitchen Wizard, [Replacement Kitchen & Bedroom doors], Swansea
Llandeilo Building Supplies, Llandeilo
Normag Motor Factors, Swansea
Paul Taylor Building Services, Ammanford
Swansea Plumb Point, Swansea
Tywi Dampproofing, Ammanford
Window Centre, Swansea
White Hart Inn, Llandeilo
Donations & Raffle Prizes
Mr Tony Lee [Book]
Swansea Club Members
© Swansea MG Enthusiasts Club 11/02/2011