Organisers of one of Wales’ smallest shows have once again raised over a thousand pounds in aid of Wales Air Ambulance.
The Anchor Show which is held annually each August on Nantyrhunna Hill is marking its 62nd year and has supported the lifesaving service once again.
There is no entrance fee for competitors or spectators, instead they are encouraged to donate to the critical care provider.
Terri Jones is Secretary of the Anchor and District Pony Breeders’ Society, she said: “We have had a spectacular show and experienced a real ‘uptake’ in our in-hand entries this year.
“It’s so wonderful that after 62 years, we are still going strong, and people want to support us.
“We know we are very small compared to other shows, but we are a fantastic place for beginners to start showing their horses and dogs and get used to the showing scene.
“Our event is always, well supported, but this year we just seemed to get a lot more people getting in touch in advance and enjoying the day.”
The Anchor & District Pony Breeders’ Society has raised over £7,600 for the Wales Air Ambulance over the past four years alone.
Terri said: “Most of our committee are farmers or live in rural areas so we absolutely value the work of the service.
“We have seen first-hand, whether through neighbours or family members, the benefit of the emergency department being able to land wherever or whenever it is needed.”
The Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.
It is delivered via a unique Third sector and Public Sector partnership. The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £11.2 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.
This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.
As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.
Terri says as a committee they feel it is a ‘vital service’ for so all communities across Wales.
She said: “It surprises many people that Wales Air Ambulance is a charity and that it relies on donations to keep it going. That is why we have chosen it as a beneficiary for such a long time.”
Members of the Anchor and District Pony Breeders’ Society have visited the air ambulance base five times and ‘everyone should attend at least once.’
Terri said: “Each time our committee members have visited, they have learnt something new about the service.
“Last year we met Hayley Whitehead-Wright, who is a patient nurse liaison for the Charity’s aftercare service and does incredible work with those who have been attended by clinicians.
“The team also works with families who have suffered bereavement, which was very moving to learn about.”
On their most recent visit, Terri says they had the opportunity to speak with a pilot and added: “It is always fascinating to hear their stories, they face challenging situations each day. But keep their calm throughout.
“The crew are an inspirational bunch, and I would thoroughly recommend people reaching out to their local Regional Fundraising Manager to organise a visit, you feel much more connected with the team.”
The Anchor Show has ‘grown and grown’ over the years and it all started because of friendly competition between two friends over who had the best stallion.
Terri said: “In the very early years most locals would have had a pony on the farm or small holding which they would have brought to Anchor Show, and everyone locally attended, it was a day out.
“Our first event took place in Kerry in 1961, before moving to the Anchor Inn, where the foundations of the show as we know it today were forged. In that time, we’ve only missed two years, due to foot and mouth and the pandemic.
“We are one of the last little shows in our region, and our committee is hugely passionate about preserving it for future generations to enjoy.”
The Anchor Show is looking for new members to join their team to help support their next event in 2026. If you are interested in getting involved, you can email your interest to anchorshowsecretary@gmail.com.
Kate Thomas, Regional Fundraising Manager for Powys said: “As a horse and dog
enthusiast, I very much appreciate the importance of events like the Anchor Show.
“It’s wonderful to once again have the support of the Anchor and District Pony Breeders’ Society who have done a phenomenal amount of fundraising for us over the years.
“We are hugely grateful for the committees continued support in helping us raise awareness about our lifesaving work and thankful to all those who kindly donated to our cause during this year’s show.
“Our supporters are incredible, every pound raised ensures we are there for patients whenever and wherever they need us.”
