Shearers on form for final day of Royal Welsh Show
Katie Sands and Andrew Forgrave took in the sights and sounds of the final day of this year’s agricultural show which is being hailed a success, despite a slight fall in attendance figures
The Royal Welsh Show 2016 has been hailed a resounding success despite a slight dip in overall attendance figures which organisers are putting down to the fine haymaking weather and school timetables.
Cooler temperatures and overcast weather conditions with sunny spells were welcomed with open arms on the final day of the Royal Welsh in Llanelwedd, near Builth Wells, after a week of some of the hottest weather Wales has seen this year.
Day four of the show had a record final day attendance of 54,083, against a slight drop in the show’s overall attendance figures compared with last year.
Gates were down around 5,000 on Monday and Tuesday before matching last year’s Wednesday figure, said RWAS chief executive Steve Hughson.
This gave a four-day figure of 236,758 – around 5,000 down on last year’s record-breaking 241,971.
Earlier in the week, when the show baked in soaring temperatures, some farmers stayed at home to gather crops and grass, while some schools had not yet broken up for holidays, said Mr Hughson.
He added: “The number of people that come here is not a single indicator of success.
“We are around 2% down on last year which, in business terms, I don’t believe is a significant reduction when you consider all the factors involved.”
Some 983 overseas visitors attended the show, representing 30 countries, from countries including Lebanon, Russia, Iraq and Iran.
Some 10 arrests were made during the week – less than an average Saturday night in most towns, said Mr gate of Hughson.
But Dyfed-Powys police is continuing its investigation into “three young individuals” suspected of starting a hay trailer fire on Tuesday night.
Fire officers spent five hours tackling the 1am blaze near the showground’s livestock entrance.
“Some of us didn’t get much sleep that night,” sighed show director Harry Fetherstonhaugh.
Reports of animals dying in the early-week heat were rejected by RWAS chief executive Mr Hughson.
Two deaths were recorded but they were not weather-related and the rest was unfounded rumour, he said.
Despite the sweltering heat and soaring temperatures, the showground remained bustling and full of atmosphere throughout the four-day event, the biggest agricultural show in Europe, as exhibitors, visitors, organisers and staff came out in Llanelwedd.
Awards were given out in numerous categories, while the show also provided the opportunity for discussion on the state of farming and agriculture in Wales and the UK.
One of the main events of the week was the Royal Welsh Supreme Horse Championship in the main ring. The award went to Gryngallt Page Too, owned by Emma EdwardsBrady, of Devon, and ridden by 11-year-old Libby Grota, from Cardigan.
Hayley, mum to Libby Grota, said: “He’s been a little star. Because we’re Welshies, we breed Welsh ponies, it’s amazing.”
The mum celebrated her 40th birthday on Tuesday and joked to her little girl that it would be the best birthday present if she brought home the award.
Bred by Leslie Hillard, of