THE SEVERN VALLEY STAGES RALLY will once again offer competitors one of the UK’s longest and most cost-effective forest events on April 12. With around 60 miles of gravel stages, this popular one-day event is set to deliver thrilling action in the world-renowned forests of Mid Wales.

Organised by Midland Manor Motor Club, the rally is based in Builth Wells and supported by Axon Commercial Catering Equipment, the headline sponsor since the event’s 50th anniversary last year.

Last year’s groundbreaking decision to extend the event to 60 stage miles, surpassing the traditional 45-mile benchmark, was a resounding success. This milestone celebration drew an impressive entry list, including global rally stars and grassroots competitors. For 2025, the organisers are continuing this offering, providing 60 miles of world-class competition for the cost of a standard one-day event.

World-class stages

The stages will once again include legendary routes such as Myherin, Hafren, and Sweet Lamb, which have tested some of the world’s finest rally drivers. To keep things fresh, many of this year’s stages will be reversed, with competitors tackling seven tests throughout the day, all based from the traditional rally hub at the Royal Welsh Showground.

“We are thrilled to offer competitors 60 stage miles again this year,” said Keith Ashley, clerk of the course. “Last year’s 50th anniversary saw an incredible response, with top rally stars and loyal regulars embracing the extended format. Thanks to Axon Commercial Catering Equipment, we’re delighted to keep this tradition alive in 2025.”

Two British-titled series

The Severn Valley Stages is unique as the only UK rally to host two British-titled series. The Probite British Rally Championship returns after a successful debut in 2024, showcasing top-tier talent and the latest generation Rally2 cars. The Fuchs Lubricants British Historic Rally Championship also makes its return, featuring iconic vehicles such as Porsche 911s, FIAT 131s, and Ford Escort MK IIs.

Additionally, the Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship continues its longstanding participation, joined by the West Wales Rally Spares HRCR Stage Masters and T.C.S Plant Rally Challenge. The Stellantis Motorsport Cup IRE & UK and the all-new Swift Sport Cup will add further excitement to the event, catering to emerging talent.

Exciting changes for 2025

Ashley added: “This year’s event promises to be another standout for both competitors and fans. We’re grateful to Rallynuts Motorsport for their support over the past eight years and look forward to welcoming everyone back to Builth Wells in April.”

Further details of the rally format will be released in the coming weeks, with spectator information available closer to the event. For updates, follow the Severn Valley Stages on social media at www.facebook.com/SevernValleyStages and www.twitter.com/svstages.

Picture caption:
Osian Pryce and Rhodri Evans on their way to victory at last year’s Severn Valley Stages.
(Image credit: BRC)

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DOZENS of girls have enjoyed the opportunity to try a series of different sports thanks to a Sport Pembrokeshire event and local community clubs.

The Us Girls event held at Ysgol Caer Elen in Haverfordwest before the Christmas break was open to girls in school years 7 & 8 from Caer Elen and Haverfordwest High VC and aimed to provide tasters into a range of different sports.

The 37 girls took part in eight activities delivered by FF Dancers, Haverfordwest County Football Club, Jets Netball Club, Haverfordwest Golf Club, Crundale Table Tennis Club, Haverfordwest Rugby Club, Haverfordwest Tennis Club and Haverfordwest Cricket Club.

It is hoped that girls will find a new enjoyment of different sports and take up opportunities with the Clubs involved.

Activities were assisted by Young Ambassadors from Haverfordwest High VC School and the Event was supported by various local business including Princes Gate who supplied water, Morrisons who supplied fruit, and Boots who gave goody bags.

Dan Bellis, Active Young People Officer at Sport Pembrokeshire, said: “It was a brilliant morning of fun activities and it was amazing to see all the girls engaged and enjoying a wide range of community based activities.

“A big thanks to all those helped deliver the sports and to the local businesses who helped make the event such a success.”

PEMBROKESHIRE’S annual Long Course Weekend triathlon event could see cyclists riding a radically different route from its south county base, taking them as far north as eight miles from Cardigan, bypassing contentious areas Wisemans Bridge and Saundersfoot.

Billed as ‘Europe’s largest multi-sport festival’, the event features swim, bike and run over a variety of distances, with the elite athletes completing all three disciplines at maximum distance to earn the coveted Long Course Weekend medal.

The Tenby-based multi-day triathlon events have been held in the summer since 2010 in the county, but concerns have been raised about loss of trade and inconvenience due to road closures associated with it, particularly the cycling events, the current longest 112-mile route taking in parts of the south of the county including Wisemans Bridge, Saundersfoot, Tenby and Pembroke.

Back in December, Pembrokeshire County Council’s full council heard that some south county communities were “at breaking point” from road closures.

Local members Cllr Chris Williams and Cllr Alec Cormack had asked in a notice of motion, at that meeting, the council withdraw support for the annual Long Course Weekend.

That support takes the form of ‘in-kind’ support such as road closures and car parking rather than a direct financial input.

In a supporting statement, the two councillors said: “Our community is at breaking point; residents and businesses in Saundersfoot, Amroth, Wisemans Bridge and Coppet Hall are effectively cut-off for the majority of a Saturday each June/July by the Long Course Weekend two-lap bike race. Many other areas of South Pembs are similarly affected, some on both Saturday and Sunday if they are also on the run course too.”

Since their notice of motion was publicised, an alternative arrangement was mooted by the Long Course organisers for one circular route on the eve of the council meeting.

It was agreed at that meeting the joint notice be put on hold pending a special meeting to consider the late proposals ahead of any decision by Cabinet; the extraordinary meeting of the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee now taking place on January 10.

A report for members asks them to consider the notice, along with responses from Long Course organisers Activity Wales, the proposed new route bypassing Saundersfoot, a bone of contention.

The proposed single loop would see cyclists on the 112-mile route leave Tenby for Pembroke, with a loop around Freshwater West before travelling to Neyland via Pembroke Dock, then on to Broad Haven, Newgale, Wolf’s Castle, Tufton, over the Preselis to Crosswell, Crymych, Llandissilio, Narberth, Templeton-Carew, before the final return to Tenby via Reberth.

The report highlights Activity Wales’ response: “After internal review and listening to some of the concerns we have proposed a new bike route.  We propose transitioning to an open-road format for the bike course in 2025 and introducing a new single-loop route.”

It says the open-road format “decreases the logistical challenges of full road closures, minimising disruption to non-event traffic,” and “also helps communities in areas where there are two days of closures,” and “by removing Wisemans Bridge and Saundersfoot from the route, we address concerns from residents and businesses in these areas, alleviating community tensions and logistical challenges”.

It also says the wider scope of the changes “highlights more of the county’s stunning landscapes, creating a unique experience for participants and boosting tourism appeal,” which it hopes will bring wider benefits to other parts of the county.