Hundreds of congratulatory messages have flooded in since long-serving Teifi Valley Motor Club secretary Olwen Davies received the Wilkinson Sword Award for her contribution to the world of motorsport.

Olwen, Mayor-elect of Cardigan town, was ‘over the moon’ to receive acknowledgement for her hard work and dedication, at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells, over the weekend.

She has been involved with motorsport since she was a teenager and is the third Teifi Valley Motor Club member to have been honoured in this way by the Welsh Association of Motor Clubs.

Presented with the Sword by S4C radio presenter Howard Davies, Olwen was described as ‘Mrs Teifi Valley – dedicated to the world of motorsport’.

Olwen said she was surprised and delighted to have been chosen for the award.

“It’s just thrilling to see my name on the awards list,” she added. “Megan Lew-is from TVMC was awarded the Sword in 1980 and Gareth ‘Jaffa’ in 2021. I’m very honoured.”

Olwen has since received over three hundred Facebook messages from well-wishers.

A familiar face in the world of motorsport Olwen still enjoys marshalling and helping out as much as possible.

“I find motorsport interesting, and I’ve made many friends over the years,” she said. “I like all sorts of motorsport and my interest was ignited when I dragged my dad, Glanville, out to watch.

“We owned the Cawdor Hotel in Newcastle Emlyn back in the early days and the Cilwendeg Rally would finish there before drivers and navigators would have their breakfasts.

“I remember frying eggs for them all!

“Then in 1984 I took part in the Cilwendeg as a driver, was excluded for not stopping at a Give Way and haven’t driven competitively since,” she laughed.

In July 1988 Olwen became the secretary of the Teifi Valley Motor Club – one of the biggest and most respected clubs in the UK.

“I don’t drive anymore,” said Olwen, “but I do enjoy marshalling road events and taking gymkhana results.

“I spend a lot of my weekends marshalling at various events across the coun-try - it’s my life,” adds Olwen, who was inspired by her brother, Gwynfor, to take up the sport.

Over the years, Olwen has been a staffing officer for Wales Rally GB. She was very involved with Rali Bro Myrddin (a stage event), Dale stages, Bro Preseli, the Cilwendeg and in more recent years, Rali Ceredigion in Aberyst-wyth.

“Rallying has taken me to several parts of the UK and further afield,” she re-flected. “I wouldn’t have visited India and Scotland if it wasn’t for rallying and everyone is so supportive.”

Olwen says she will ensure her Wilkinson Sword Award has ‘pride of place’ in her Cardigan home.