Coming to somewhere near you –
IT’S an annual calling card when summer approaches, and shows no sign of diminishing in popularity.
Agricultural shows and the like appeal to both country and town folk, offering them an opportunity to see the fruits of considerable labour that have gone on before in those important build-up months.
And it looks like more of the same in 2018 with a few dozen events to choose from. The Royal Welsh Showground at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, is a big player every year and the Spring Festival takes place there on May 19 and 20 for a celebration of smallholding and rural life.
You will find an action-packed programme of entertainment, havea-go educational activities, talks, workshops, displays and performances, with more than 1,300 livestock and horses on display, a trail running festival, children’s activities and country pursuits.
That is a great start to the season, which is not all about agricultural shows, with two events coming up that are sure to be popular.
Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival runs on May 27 and 28. It started off in 2004 as a one-day event with 40 exhibitors and has grown to a whole weekend of foodie family fun with more than 100 food and drink exhibitors, food demonstrations, musical entertainment and so much more.
Hot on its heels on June 2 and 3 is Monmouthshire Food Festival at Caldicot Castle with the cream of the county’s chefs demonstrating dishes from fine dining restaurants to top quality pubs, food producers from near and far and a children’s quarter where the emphasis is on healthy cuisine.
June 9 is a big date in the calendar, especially if you are involved with or plan to visit Caerwys Agricultural Show in Clwyd, Aberystwyth and Ceredigion County Show or Dyffryn Ogwen Show in Gwynedd. They are looking forward there to their turn in the spotlight, as they are on June 16 at St Clears YFC Agricultural Show. That has certainly got staying power as it is the 140th show in the series.
Many shows up and down the country have got a pedigree that comes with longevity and are an integral part of the local scene. Not only are they important for the economy, but they are also a comforting community presence in an ever changing world.
On June 16 St Clears YFC Agricultural Show will make its contribution at the United Counties Showground, outside Carmarthen, with a comprehensive range of livestock and horse classes, horticulture, cookery, art and handicrafts.
Monmouthshire Show in the showground shares the spotlight on July 7 and has a lot of previous. It was started by the local farming and town communities 200 years ago and prides itself on having moved with the times, whilst still representing life in the Wye Valley. So expect sheep, cattle, dogs and horses competing for showing honours and enjoy the show jumping.
There is also a home and garden marquee, a craft and shopping mall, a food hall and a large trade stands section.
Also on that day is Machen Show, complete with racing pigs, falconry and children’s races; Caernarfon Show with features including rabbits, pets and pigeon and home and garden sections and dog shows; and the South of Wales Shire Horse Show in Abergavenny.
That weekend, July 7 and 8, also sees Rhug Country Fair in Bala, with 170 stalls