Yesterday saw extremely busy, and thankfully cooler, Thursday bring another successful Royal Welsh Show to close.

Despite soaring temperatures, the crowds once again converged in their thousands at the showground in Llanelwedd to celebrate the very best of Welsh and British agriculture at this year’s four-day Royal Welsh Show.

Speaking on the last day of the show, David Lewis, Chair of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s Council reflected on his slightly different experience of the event this year; “Having been involved with the show for over 40 years, and commentating on the cattle classes since 1974, it has been a very different event for me this year - I was bestowed the privilege of judging the coveted Team of Five competition, a huge honour and one which I did not take lightly.

“As always, the standard of the livestock here at the Royal Welsh is tremendous. Seeing the 15 groups of different breeds all lined up in the cattle ring was a sight to behold, I had no easy task picking the winners, but I have enjoyed every minute.”

Honorary Show Director, Harry Fetherstonhaugh, echoed David’s comments; “Once again we have been blessed with the most beautiful selection of livestock seen anywhere in the world.”

“Together with the extraordinarily high quality of exhibits and competitors in all the competitions, a showground packed full of demonstration and tradestands and an excellent display of main ring attractions, it really has been another great Royal Welsh Show.”

Key Livestock Results

Supreme Horse Champion

Judged by Mrs D Fetherstonhaugh

Gryngallt Page Too, a show hunter pony owned by Mrs Emma Edwards-Brady from Oakhampton, Devon and bred by Mrs L Hillard

Supreme Beef Champion

Judged by Mr Robert Alwyn Rees.

Normanton 1 Leartes, a Hereford bull owned and bred by TD & WT Livesey from Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire

Natwest Team of Five

Judged by Mr David Lewis

A team of British Limousin cattle owned by Miss Jessica Simms, Mr Pededur Hughes & Mr Llyr Hughes, Mr Paul Dawes, G & E Jones and Mr G Walters

Supreme Champion Dairy Cow

Judged by Mr John Gribbon

Nobold Windbrook Joan, owned by Mr Iwan Rhys Morgan from Carmarthen and bred by Nobol Holsteins

Marks & Spencer Team of Five

Judged by Mr W R Colin Christophers

A team of Holstein cattle owned by Mr & Mrs Whittaker, Mr Iwan Rhys Morgan, SP & SR Davies, Mr A H Wilson & Son, ER & ME Jones & Son

Sheep Champion of Champions

Judged by Mr Francis Herbie Kennedy

A Suffolk ewe lamb owned and bred by Messers WH Sinnett & Sons from Stockton-On-Teme, Worcester

Pig Supreme Champion

Sunrise Vega, a Landrace sow owned by Messers GL & JE Owens & Son from Llanelli and bred by S Loveless

Goat Champion

Alailah Daintymaid owned by Mr & Mrs T & M Ogborne from Chewstoke, Bristol adnd bred by Mrs S Gow

It wasn’t only the four-days of non-stop competitions and entertainment which kept the show-goers happy this year. The society has spent a huge amount of time and resources investing in the showground. The recent instillation of a permanent phone mast, along with other temporary masts and the popular WiFi hotspots throughout the site, ensured that network coverage and connectivity during the Royal Welsh Show was excellent.

“The Royal Welsh Showground is fast becoming one of the best connected rural event sites in Wales and we are very pleased that these latest improvements has ensured that we not only have superfast broadband, but no also have 4G phone signal onsite all year round.” said the society’s Chief Executive, Steve Hughson.

“Our showground is our single largest physical asset and it is important that it is maintained and improved to keep pace with our ambition to attract new business, increase efficiency, improve our events and keep our visitors happy.”

The recent developments on site have also included lots of work in connection with the current equine project. These have included better quality, larger hired in stables, and increased number of stables on site and at Wern Fawr ensuring there is no longer a waiting list. We have also created a larger display area, newly levelled parking areas, a new covered horse shower and installed new permanent lighting and CCTV.

“In addition to the major projects, we also have ongoing plans to improve drainage, place electricity underground and generally improve our infrastructure” added Steve.

The success of the show is renowned around the world with coverage of the show live-streamed internationally throughout the four-days. Nearly 1000 visitors registered at the International Pavilion from over 30 different countries from as far afield as Australia, USA, Russia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and India, to name just a few.

The Royal Welsh Show continues to attract large numbers of business and political leaders, all eager to use the show as a place to meet and do business. This year has been no exception with the the society proudly providing an international platform from which it will play an instrumental role in formulating the future of the Welsh, and British, agricultural sector in these uncertain times.