Hairy_BackRiders open 'Hairy Back Bridge'

Horse riders can now use an ancient stone bridge in Crychan Forest, near Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, for the first time in more than 50 years.

"This historic bridge, set at the foot of a steep valley, is one of the most attractive features in the forest," Karen Collier, chair of the Crychan Forestry Association, told H&H.


"Crychan Forest offers some brilliant riding. There are beautiful views over the Brecon Beacons and the Cambrian Mountains, and lots of way-marked routes.

"Now we can use this bridge, we have a direct link to another part of the forest – Epynt Way – which was previously only accessible by a roundabout route on harder tracks."

Pont Cefyn-blewog, also known as Hairy Back Bridge, is a single-arched, post-medieval bridge that crosses Nant Tridwr, a small stream.

"The bridge is in the middle of quite a steep-sided ravine at the bottom of a valley," explained Brian Hanwell, area manager of Forestry Commission Wales.

"When construction began on the forest road along the ridge, about 50 years ago, there was a spillage of rocks, which blocked the access to the bridge on the western side.

"Following that, the bridge just fell into disuse."

Work on the bridge's restoration began in 2008, funded by Forestry Commission Wales.

Contractors reinforced the bridge's original structure with lime mortar and made repairs to the bridge's foundations, which had been partially washed out.

They also constructed a 100m stone track leading up to the bridge, restoring access to the western side of the bridge.

The bridge been in use since September but was officially opened by the Crychan Forest Association and local riders on 5 November.

Taken from Horse & Hound website




John Davies retires as Area 21 Chairman
Johnretirement

John Davies receiving a limited edition print 'Blown Away, by artist Frederick Haycock from Area 21 on his retirement as Chairman for 31 years.

Presenting him with the print are Judith Allen Temp Area Rep and Tim Lucas Treasurer.








Laurie Punnett

Luarie 

Laurie Punnett, Chairman of British Riding Clubs, Area 21 Official Steward and Area Representative, passed away on Thursday 23rd July after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer. 

Laurie was also Chairman of Gower Riding Club, and was totally committed to the Riding Club's movement. He and his wife Sarah and the latest in a long line of rough coated collies, could be seen at Riding Club events and Area competitions, where Laurie would be Chef d'Equipe for Sarah and also organiser/official steward/general helper outer. His knowledge of all things Riding Club was immense and although he played an important role as Chairman of BRC, he was always at the end of the phone with support if an issue arose, no matter how small. He was well known in British Eventing circles for his cross country control skills and commentating to which he brought his own wonderful sense of humour and wit. He will be hugely missed.

It seems inconcievable that we will be holding Area competitions without Laurie but we will, I am sure, endeavour to try to uphold the values of the Riding Club movement that Laurie held so dear.

 A fund set up in Laurie's name can be found at www.justgiving.com/lauriepunnett where donations can be made by individuals and groups, to The Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund which is the only national charity exclusively funding research into pancreatic cancer throughout the U.K.

 
 
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