Agricultural show called off for 2021 due to coronavirus

ORGANISERS of the Royal Welsh Show Wales’ biggest agricultural event and a go-to destination for many of the South West’s leading livestock exhibitors - have confirmed its cancellation for 2021 because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Traditionally held in July at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, the premier four-day event celebrated its 100th show in 2019.

Despite the postponement of the Royal Welsh Show to 2022 and cancellation of the

Smallholding and Countryside Festival, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) is hoping to host smaller COVID compliant events during the summer and a “bumper” Winter Fair in December.

Steve Hughson, chief executive of the RWAS, said current restrictions, as set out in the ‘Coronavirus Control Plan’ and various alert levels meant it was impossible to hold large events this summer.

“Any restrictions on numbers and the associated two-metre social distancing rules are major barriers to the viability of events, such as the Royal Welsh Show,” he explained.

“We continue to work alongside the Welsh Government and Public Health Wales to create a Road Map for the safe re-opening of events. Our events are central to the rural economy and way of life and mean so much to members, exhibitors, traders and visitors and we fully understand the responsibility on all of us to ensure we deliver our events as soon as it is safe to do so.”