Two long‑standing members of a horse carriage driving group in Cwmbran for people with disabilities have shared their experiences as the club celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Ceffyl Du RDA Driving Group has been based at Greenmeadow Community Farm since 1998. The group was founded 12 years earlier by Penny Suff and Hilary Lipscombe and operated in Abergavenny, Nantyglo and Usk before finding a permanent home in Cwmbran.
Members, drivers, volunteers and supporters gathered at the Farmer’s Table café at the farm last night (20 January 2026) to mark the milestone.
Cwmbran Life spoke to Amanda Say and Mark Gibbons, both long‑term members and supporters, about the difference the group has made to their lives and to others with disabilities.
Members sit in a carriage and take the reins of a horse, using their skills to control the carriage as it moves around a field.
‘Fantastic experience’
Amanda said: “It means being able to do something that I wouldn’t have been able to do at all. It’s a real opportunity. I wouldn’t have been able to carriage drive. I wouldn’t have been able to continue doing a physical activity. The carriage driving has made me being on an equal playing field to other people, and that’s a fantastic experience.”
She thanked the “huge amount of commitment” from the club’s volunteers, adding: “A lot of expertise, a lot of hard work has gone in it, but the result of that is a lot of joy to a lot of people.”
Mark said: “It’s good therapeutically. It can help disabled people mentally. It’s great socially because we don’t only drive, we meet socially, which is again good for interaction.
“I just think it’s good for well-being as well because you’re not just sitting in the house, you’re getting out, meeting people. It doesn’t matter what disability they are.
“It’s a bit of a difference from sitting on a horse, totally different thing, totally different concept.
Royal Windsor Horse Show
“I’m pleased for the group. The unique thing about our group is, it’s not just driving, we socialise as well. We go to different places. We’ve been to the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
“We do a lot of things socially. We have a Christmas party. It’s not just driving. We’ve got a great bunch of people. We’re like a family really.”
Co-founder Penny Suff, said: “It’s the independence. They are driving the horse. They’re not being led around. They’ve got a set of reins, and they are driving. The coach is sat next to them, with a set of reins, if needed, which is not very often.
“They’re up high, they’re looking down on people, they’re out in the fresh air. They get a lot from it.”
Ceffyl Du RDA Driving Group meets from early May to September at a field accessed through Springvale Industrial Estate.
Join or volunteer at Ceffyl Du RDA Driving Group
New members or volunteers can email [email protected] for details.
The club recently won the Unsung Hero Award at the British Horse Society Awards at Newbury Races, where members received their certificate from actor and Doc Martin star Martin Clunes.
Cwmbran Life visited the club in 2018 to interview some members. You can watch the video here.