Riverside Retreat Veterans Camp

03/11/2026

🐴 PONY POWER – Making a Difference Together! 🐴

Riverside Retreat Veterans Camp is incredibly honoured and proud to be part of the Pony Power demonstrations and courses, founded by Donna Oldbury-Thomas and her fantastic team of Welsh Mountain Ponies and owners.

Over many months, we have been fortunate to consult on, host and provide equipment to help support this inspiring project.

From its initial conception, we've watched Pony Power develop into something truly special. The project aims to train local people and military veterans to work with and guide ponies across bracken-covered terrain, creating much-needed natural firebreaks to help control and contain wildfires in the Welsh mountains.

Not only does this offer a practical and sustainable approach to wildfire management, but it also creates employment opportunities, reduces the spread of wildfires and helps minimise the associated health risks.

Donna's incredible drive, passion and enthusiasm have brought together an amazing network of support, including ATLA, veteran charities, land management organisations, local communities, filmmakers, psychologists, veterans and the fire service.
Pony Power continues to grow, and we would absolutely love to see this fantastic initiative become an established part of the Welsh landscape.

It's about so much more than ponies and land management. It's about the positive impact of working outdoors, the therapeutic benefits of equine interaction, improving mental and physical wellbeing, supporting biodiversity and, importantly, bringing people together.
We're incredibly proud to have been involved and look forward to seeing where this wonderful project goes next.
A brilliant example of collaboration and what can be achieved when passionate people, communities and organisations work together for a common purpose. ❤️

🐴🌿🔥 Pony Power – supporting people, protecting landscapes and making a difference.

Please tag everyone involved that I have missed – Thank you.




Power
ATLA
ALABARÉ
About Turn Wales / Barod I Troi Cymru
Abi Joy Warburton
Riverside Retreat Veterans Camp
Ellie House
Veterans Commissioner for Wales
RFCA for Wales
Donna Oldbury-Thomas

03/11/2026

This weeks What's Occurring across Wales, UK 👇👇👇👇👇

What's Occurrin' is a regular e-magazine of news, views, events, funding, employment opportunities and sharing good practice. It is distributed to the Armed Forces Community and those supporting the

28/10/2026

Lots of stargazing events across the UK this weekend including Go Stargazing at the International astronomy event in Coventry👇👇👇👇✨✨🌠🌠🪐🪐As we are located in the Brecon Beacons with Dark Skies status our campers don't have to travel to see the display🥰🥰 RFCA for Wales Veterans Commissioner for Wales Taff Tea Abi Joy Warburton

✨ LOOK UP THIS WEEKEND! THE STARS ARE CALLING! 🔭

It's a HUGE weekend for stargazing, with dozens of astronomy events taking place across the UK! From telescope evenings and planetarium shows to spooky Halloween adventures under the stars, there's something for everyone!

🌌 DARK SKIES FESTIVAL FEVER!

Two of the UK's most spectacular dark sky destinations are celebrating this weekend!

⭐ North York Moors Dark Sky Reserve – Join Go Stargazing at Sutton Bank on Friday evening for a fantastic journey around the night sky! Cosmic Wonders are hosting a Halloween planetarium adventure in Guisborough. There's also stargazing with Astro Dog at Danby Lodge, solar observing, and guided walks exploring the stars. What better excuse to experience some of England's finest dark skies?

⭐ Exmoor Dark Skies Festival – Head to Exmoor for stargazing with Wild About Exmoor on Friday, join the Space Detectives at Holworthy Farm on Saturday, or enjoy a ranger-guided stargazing walk at Bossington Hill on Sunday. A wonderful opportunity to discover why Exmoor is such a special place after dark!

🔭 ELSEWHERE ACROSS THE UK...

There's plenty more happening! Explore the cosmos at Bath Abbey, visit an observatory in Dundee, discover the night sky at Stowe House in Buckinghamshire, or try stargazing in the Brecon Beacons!

🌟 COME AND SAY HELLO!

Go Stargazing will be exhibiting at the FREE International Astronomy Show near Coventry this Saturday, 31st October!

Taking place at The Sports Connexion in Ryton-on-Dunsmore, it's a brilliant opportunity to meet fellow astronomy enthusiasts, explore the latest astronomy equipment and discover more about our wonderful hobby. We'd love to see you there!

🚀 FIND YOUR NEAREST STARGAZING EVENT!

Whether you're a complete beginner, a family looking for something different this Halloween weekend, or an experienced stargazer, there's an event waiting for you.

Visit our website to discover what's happening near you this weekend!

Please share this post and help us encourage more people to get outside, look up and discover the wonders of the night sky!

Clear skies, everyone! 🌠

26/10/2026

What's occurring in Wales includes Remembrance events👇👇👇

What's Occurrin' is a regular e-magazine of news, views, events, funding and employment opportunities distributed to the Armed Forces Community and those supporting the Armed Forces Community across W

20/10/2026

New Veterans Breakfast Club over the border in Wiltshire starting this Saturday👇👇👇👇

The Red Lion
The Street
Castle Eaton
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN66JZ

15/10/2026

Tickets for veterans going live soon👇👇

Building Community, One Event at a Time. 🎟️
​Community inclusion starts at the local level. We are proud to already be working with fantastic regional venues and veteran hubs across South Wales and beyond to deliver positive experiences for those who served.

​How You Can Get Involved:
​🎖️ For Veterans & Families: Share this page with your local regimental associations, breakfast clubs, and veteran friends so no one misses out as new allocations go live.

​🏟️ For Event Venues & Promoters: Donating unsold capacity or dedicated allocations directly supports local veteran well-being at zero marginal cost to your business.

​We are actively signing up event partners for our upcoming season. Let’s work together to make the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran.

​💬 Drop a comment or message the team to find out how you can support.
​

09/10/2026

This week's Welsh news and events 😀 Armed Forces Liaison Officer Bridgend, NPT & Swansea

What's Occurrin is a regular e-magazine of news, views, events and funding opportunities distributed to those supporting the Armed Forces Community across Wales that have requested it. If you have an

09/10/2026

09/10/2026

A cracking day local to us, visiting the Cambrian Patrol 2026 hub in Sennybridge Training Camp hosted by Brig Davis, HQ 160 Bde and his team. Many thanks to Craig and Tony from RFCA.

Lots of tech, briefings and networking opportunities with unexpected sunshine (we had too many layers on).

It was wonderful to spend time with Nadine Griffiths (44 Welsh caps), director of WRU women's rugby and chat about team-working, resilience and camaraderie.

Bumped into veterans we have worked with whilst serving in the past and have connections with, now working in the Defence industry.

Good luck to the 36 international patrols who are taking part in the Cambrian Patrol 2026 and taking on the Welsh terrain and challenges. 😁😁😁
RFCA for Wales Veterans Commissioner for Wales Armed Forces Liaison Officer Bridgend, NPT & Swansea The Welsh Rugby Union Abi Joy Warburton