Ann Bale-Williams

It is with great sadness that the friends of Ann Bale –Williams report her passing on September 22nd, after a recent spell in hospital. She was eighty years old.

Ann joined the Welsh Pony & Cob Society in 1962 and soon began breeding Mountain Ponies at her home in Mollington, Chester and then latterly near Chirk. Such names as Gredington Penlas, Coed Coch Dunos and Revel Venetia proved invaluable foundations especially when crossed with her beloved Revel Janus, “Charlie”, as she affectionately referred to him. Ann succeeded in creating a “Baledon type” of pony that influenced many studs around the world.

Section B ponies joined slightly later with yet another stalwart mare in the shape of Gredington Blodyn. Perhaps her most successful Section B was Baledon Commanchero who gave Ann so much pleasure as a performance pony, qualifying for the Olympia/NPS ridden championships no less than eight times, securing his name on the Brodrick Memorial Trophy for his outstanding achievements.

A panel judge for both Sections A & B, Ann judged around the globe culminating in officiating the Section B classes at the Royal Welsh Show in 2014.

Though it was all animals that Ann took great companionship from; her dogs and various cats were all part of a visit to Lodge Farm Cottage where visitors would receive a warm welcome, generally accompanied by homemade cakes and of course plenty of chat! She was a unique character. Kind, generous and loyal to her friends, her input and advice will be greatly missed.

Funeral arrangements will be released in due course.