Crowds expected in Llandovery as Ar y Gorwel celebrates fifth anniversary
A WALES Air Ambulance Trustee will take to the skies this weekend in a hot air balloon festival she helped create in memory of her late husband, with the event once again raising vital funds for the lifesaving charity.
Laura Davies, 42, from Llanwrda, will pilot her late husband Arwel’s hot air balloon for the first time at the Ar y Gorwel festival, which takes place at Llandovery Rugby Club over the bank holiday weekend.
Calling it a “very poignant” occasion, Laura said the weekend will be a major personal milestone as well as a celebration of the festival’s growing success.
“We are not only celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Ar y Gorwel festival, but its success too,” she said. “It keeps growing year on year, with fifteen hot air balloons featuring throughout the weekend – that’s a first.
“On a more personal note, it will also be the first time I will be involved as a pilot, so there are a lot of emotions going on. I feel incredibly proud.”
The Tywi Valley skies are expected to be filled with colourful balloons across the weekend, with organisers sharing flight updates via the festival’s Facebook page. Large crowds are expected to attend.
Laura, who made Welsh hot air ballooning history last July by becoming the first woman in more than 40 years to gain a balloon pilot’s licence in Wales, said she hopes the festival will offer something special for families and visitors.
“There is such a magical feeling in the air,” she said. “When you hear the burners, feel the heat, and see the skyline, there is nothing quite like it.
“Then you look down at the crowd, happy and carefree, watching us float up in the air – that’s why we do it. All the effort is repaid seeing those happy smiling faces.”
Laura was part of her husband’s balloon crew for 13 years and set herself the goal of learning to fly his balloon so that it could return to the skies.
“To be able to do this in his memory, in front of our family and friends, is truly wonderful,” she said.
The festival was established after tragedy struck in July 2021 when Arwel, aged 40, and the couple’s daughter Sofia, then seven, were involved in a head-on collision near Llandeilo.
Two Wales Air Ambulance critical care teams were sent to the scene. Arwel required blood products and other specialist interventions, but despite the crew’s efforts he sadly died. Sofia was airlifted to the major trauma centre for assessment.
Laura said her family continues to miss Arwel every day, but that hot air ballooning remains a powerful link to his memory.
“A lot of them revolve around hot air ballooning, and that has been Arwel’s lasting legacy,” she said. “We still get to enjoy the gift he gave to us, to see our home, our village and other parts of Wales from the sky.”
Balloonists from across the UK are travelling to Carmarthenshire to take part in the fundraiser, which supports Wales Air Ambulance, a consultant-led critical care provider delivering hospital-standard treatment at the scene of emergencies.
The charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 million needed each year to keep its helicopters flying and rapid response vehicles operating. NHS consultants and critical care practitioners are provided through the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS).
Laura, who became a Trustee of the charity in 2024, has helped raise more than £35,000 for Wales Air Ambulance with the support of family and friends.
“The Charity does outstanding work, so it’s a huge honour to be able to represent the lifesaving service in this way,” she said.
“We’ve always flown with a little dragon Wales Air Ambulance mascot on board, as a symbol of hope, resilience and strength. But this year I’ll literally be flying the flag and banners too.
“Our festival weekend is an opportunity to celebrate the collaboration between Ar y Gorwel and the Charity as it marks its 25th year.”
Dr Sue Barnes, Chief Executive of Wales Air Ambulance, thanked Laura and organisers for their continued support.
“We are deeply grateful that Wales Air Ambulance is once again the beneficiary of the Ar y Gorwel balloon festival,” she said.
“This extraordinary event created in Arwel’s memory is making a lifesaving difference. He has left a wonderful legacy for the people of Wales.
“We are very proud of Laura, who gives so freely of her time as a Trustee for our Charity. Every pound raised during the festival will help save lives. Diolch yn fawr.”
