A POPULAR pony show that was halted after the foot-and-mouth outbreak has donated money from its account to two local charities.

After 34 successful years, running from 1966 to 2000, the Criccieth Pony Show and Gymkana had to be halted, like most other countryside activities in 2000 due to the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Unfortunately, the show, for various reasons, never started again.

The show was the great idea of two friends being the late Tomos Llewelyn Pritchard, of Bryntirion, Garndolbenmaen and John R Owen, Meillionen, Llanystumdwy. Over the years the show was a great success with competitors travelling from near and very far.

John said: “We had a great deal of fun and satisfaction organising and running the show and everybody who volunteered worked hard to make the show such a success. It’s such a shame the show never re-started.”

John added: “We have now decided to close the bank accounts and present the money to two charities. The Criccieth Lifeboat and the Wales Air Ambulance. Two very worthy charities.”

In all there was a total of £2,508.58 which means a cheque of £1,254.29 will be presented to both.