AROC South Wales Section Update – First 3 Months
In May 2025, we relaunched the Section, and three months on, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on our recent activities.
Our revival began with an exceptional event, the Cymru 100, expertly organised by Daniel Thomas. This memorable drive far surpassed our expectations in both execution and attendance, making it clear that a true revival of the Section was not only possible but eagerly anticipated. You can read more about the event here.
Building on this momentum, I hosted our first gathering in early June at the Castell Mynach in Llantrisant. This venue was chosen for its convenient proximity to the motorway junction and its central location. I admit I was a little anxious about attendance, but was delighted by the turnout. We welcomed a fantastic array of Alfa Romeos and Abarths, representing a broad range of ages and ownership histories. My sincere thanks to everyone who attended that inaugural evening and helped lay the foundations for our renewed Section.
Daniel continued his invaluable support by organising the FRF Motors Show & Shine event at FRF’s impressive new dealership in Swansea. Despite less-than-ideal weather predictions, there was once again a strong turnout and an enthusiastic atmosphere. The success of this event further boosted our confidence and inspired conversations about the Section’s future. FRF proved to be excellent hosts and provided very positive feedback. Congratulations to Stefano and Jackie Lelii, who ordered a new Junior Ibrida—rumoured to be a superb performer on the Black Mountain roads! More details about this event are here.
In July, a gathering was held at the Dragonfly in Newport. Due to work commitments and a holiday I was unable to attend, but I’m pleased to report the venue was well-received and the event went ahead smoothly.
This week we held our August meeting back at Castell Mynach, welcoming many new faces and Alfa Romeos. It’s always wonderful to see such variety in the cars and to hear the diverse ownership stories, asking “What was your first Alfa?” is reliably a great conversation starter. This gathering also marked the first distribution of our new South Wales window stickers, which I hope will soon be a familiar sight in car parks across Wales, helping to increase club visibility and attract new members.
Looking ahead, we have our regular monthly gatherings, a National Alfa Day convoy, and the Cowbridge meeting planned. Full details and updates will be posted on the official AROC South Wales web page, the Facebook group, and will be emailed directly to members. Our gatherings take place on the first Wednesday of each month, though the location will rotate to ensure accessibility for as many members as possible. We are still in the early stages of developing further events, and this is only the beginning.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or would like to become more involved with the Section, please feel free to contact me at any time by telephone, WhatsApp, or email.
See you all soon!