EPYNT Motor Club will mark its 50th anniversary with a series of events.

The club was originally formed in 1969 when a group of local motorsport enthusiasts started holding meetings at the Askomel Hotel in Llanwrtyd Wells with the club expanding ever since.

Founder member Hughie James said: “When a small group of motorsport minded people met 50 years ago little did any of us know that we were going to see the golden age of rallying, not only here in Wales or on the Epynt Ranges but around the world.

“The club has been able to adjust to all the problems of the past; foot and mouth, petrol rationing, and not to mention new safety rules.

“Today we face a new challenge with the talk of climate change, electric cars and all the variety of things going on.

“I wish I could see into the future and say that Epynt Motor Club will be here in another 50 years but we are happy to have made it this far.”

The celebrations kicked off in May with the newly-launched Cambrian Mountains Tour which covered 145 miles from Llanwrtyd Wells through Llanidloes, Machynlleth, Devil’s Bridge and Tregaron before descending Devil’s Staircase to finish back in Llanwrtyd Wells.

Later this month, the club hosts the 41st annual Old Forge Garage Mewla Rally on the Epynt Ranges while a 50th anniversary party will be held at Jubilee Hall in Llanelwedd on Sunday, September 15.

All members, past and present, are invited with further details available by contacting Emma Lewis at epyntmc50@gmail.com or 07939 226442.

To end the year, the club will be running the annual DG Jones Agri Ltd Powys Lanes Rally based in Builth Wells and organised by the younger members of the club.

The event has raised almost £12,000 for charity since its inception in 2011.

This year, the event will again provide a route of over 100 miles through the night using the classic lanes of Mid Wales.

Current chairman Alun Probert said: “We are very excited to welcome members old and new to celebrate with us throughout the year and hope to raise proceeds, which we have decided to donate to Wales Air Ambulance and the Bracken Trust.”