What to expect as Royal Welsh Show 2025 gets under way
It is now 121 years since a group of influential landowners came together to form the Welsh National Agricultural Society – an organisation that would later morph into the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society.
They held the first show that year in Aberystwyth, but since 1963 Llanelwedd, on the edge of Builth Wells, has been the thumping heartbeat of Europe's largest agricultural event.
They come from far and wide to exhibit – and to enjoy the many and varied displays, events, and attractions that the show brings.
Whether it's daredevil displays from horseback riders, motorbike experts or parachute teams, or the creme de la creme of Welsh livestock, the reasons to love the Royal Welsh Show are plentiful.
Powys truly is the place to be when the show comes around – across four days from Monday to Friday, July 21-24, tens of thousands of people will be making their way to the showground to experience the event.
As usual, there is a jam-packed schedule of livestock classes and special awards for a wide range of agricultural and rural competitions, attracting entries from far and wide.
For the first time this year the show will include a Heavy Horse Village, which provides visitors with a chance to celebrate the majestic power and heritage of traditional working horses in a dedicated display area.
The whole event is also a great celebration of Wales' thriving food scene, and the food village and hall provides a highlight for many visitors to the show.
One of the key questions on many people's minds this weekend, though, will be what's happening above our heads.
We've had some patchy shows weather-wise over the years – who would want to predict a British summer? – including an absolute scorcher of a year in 2022 that saw some visitors having to slap the factor 50 onto their pigs.
Well, despite this year having already seen some records tumble for hot and dry weather across the UK, the show is looking like it's much cooler this year.
The Met Office is forecasting a nice, cool event, with scattered showers meaning outdoor activities being compromised.
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