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Powys County Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Thousands of visitors flock to this year's Royal Welsh Show
This year's Royal Welsh Show welcomed thousands of visitors as the most popular agricultural show in the UK kicked off. The show was officially opened with a ceremony that celebrated the richness of Welsh culture, the strength of rural communities, and the enduring importance of the agricultural industry in Wales. Chair of Council, Mrs Nicola Davies FRAgS, welcomed members and dignitaries to the event, reflecting on the pivotal role of the Society in championing Welsh agriculture and rural life. 'The Show is a very important platform to promote the very best of the agricultural industry that we all hold so very dear,' she said. 'It underlines its importance, not only economically, but socially and culturally too.' Mrs Davies paid warm tribute to the 2025 Feature County, Caernarfonshire, and thanked its fundraising committees for their outstanding work in raising awareness and vital funds to support capital developments at the showground. Mr John R Owen, the Society's President for 2025, then addressed the audience, expressing his pride and honour in representing Caernarfonshire as Feature County. 'I have no doubt that the founders of the Society are looking down in much admiration of today's standards and achievements,' he said. A special highlight of the day was the visit of HRH The Princess Royal, who was attending in her capacity as President of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RACS). Her Royal Highness attended the AGM of the RASC and then toured the showground, engaging with exhibitors and visitors, and seeing the many new additions to the show since her last visit in 2022. During the afternoon's Awards Ceremony, Dylan Jones, Castellior, Menai Bridge, Anglesey was announced as the winner of the prestigious Sir Bryner Jones Memorial Award, which featured the beef industry for the first time in 30 years. The were changes to this year's show with the introduction of a new Heavy Horse Village — a dedicated area celebrating the legacy and ongoing role of working horses in Welsh agriculture. The village featured interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, and opportunities for visitors to meet these gentle giants and their handlers, along with new turn-out competition classes. The opening day's main ring programme was headlined by the Ukrainian Cossacks, whose dazzling displays of traditional horsemanship and acrobatics captivated showgoers. Other main ring attractions included the Bolddog FMX display team, the Tristar Carriage and the RAF Falcons Parachute display team.
North Wales Chronicle
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Caernarfonshire takes centre stage at 2025 Royal Welsh Show
The former county of Caernarfonshire has been named the feature county for next year's event, which will be held in Llanelwedd from July 21 to 24. As part of its role, Caernarfonshire is leading efforts to raise funds for improvements to the showground, with plans underway for new buildings and upgraded facilities. John Owen, this year's Show President from Rowen near Conwy, said: "Funds have been raised in the past by the other counties to support the Show to erect new buildings and improve facilities. "We have been raising funds for the show and we have something in mind but we are not there yet to reveal what this might be. "Our main aim is to support the show and make 2025 one of the best Royal Welsh Shows." Fundraising activities so far have included sponsored bike rides, car treasure hunts, sheepdog trials and a President's Ball, which will take place in Caernarfon in October. Mr Owen and his wife Marian have been showing sheep at the Royal Welsh Show since 1989. Their son Dafydd continues the family tradition, exhibiting Beltex and Cheviot sheep, as well as the rarer Black Welsh Mountain and Hill Radnor breeds. Since 2012, the couple have also welcomed the Show President to Llanelwedd each year, guiding them around the showground—an honour they will receive themselves this year. Mrs Owen said: "The show is an important part of the calendar for farmers across Wales and we are looking forward to going around the show and meeting our Royal guest." That guest will be Princess Anne, who will make her seventh visit to the Royal Welsh Show. In her role as President of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth, Princess Anne will attend both the annual general meeting and the show itself. Mrs Owen said: "Princess Anne knows what she is talking about and is very supportive of farming." Caernarfon-based television production company Cwmni Da will film an episode of Garddio a Mwy at the event, airing at 8.25pm on Monday, July 28. Presenter Adam Jones, who revived the horticulture section last year, will serve as honorary director, compete in several classes, and appear on the programme. READ MORE: Popular family attraction in Gwynedd launches its first ever alpaca walks! Mr Jones said: "I don't know how I'll get on because it's the first time I've entered. "It's one thing to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers but it's another thing entirely to grow something that will catch the eye of the judges and win that coveted red certificate for a first place." He is entering classes for sweet peas, pelargoniums, soft fruits and a display of five vegetables. Mr Jones said: "It is encouraging a new generation of exhibitors and growers to compete and celebrate their work, with a big focus on education." Euros Wyn, producer of Garddio a Mwy, said: "There will be something that will hopefully appeal to everyone in this special programme."
Powys County Times
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Royal Welsh Show to feature S4C's Adam Jones this year
A well-known TV gardener is preparing to compete at this year's Royal Welsh Show. Adam Jones, a presenter from S4C's Garddio a Mwy, will enter the horticulture competition in Llanelwedd while also serving as honorary director of the horticulture section and filming a special episode of the show. Mr Jones said: "I don't know how I'll get on because it's the first time I've entered. "It's one thing to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers but it's another thing entirely to grow something that will catch the eye of the judges and win that coveted red certificate for a first place. "I've entered classes for sweet peas and pelargoniums which are among the most highly sought prizes at the show along with some soft fruits. "I've also entered the class for a display of five vegetables but I don't know which vegetables I'll bring along to Llanelwedd yet." Viewers will see how he fares on a special edition of Garddio a Mwy, airing at 8.25pm on Monday, July 28. The episode will feature behind-the-scenes footage from the showground and follow Mr Jones as he helps set up the horticultural village. Euros Wyn, producer of Garddio a Mwy, said: "We're still in the process of firming up what will be in the programme. "Filming will start before the show gets underway following Adam as the setting up of the horticultural village gets underway. "We'll naturally speak with growers, exhibitors and visitors to the show and hopefully follow some of the competitors as they prepare for the event. "There will be something that will hopefully appeal to everyone in this special programme." Mr Jones relaunched the horticultural section at last year's show and oversaw the development of the new horticultural village. He began gardening at the age of three, learning from his grandfather, and now promotes organic and nature-friendly gardening through work with schools and community groups. Adam Jones said: "I was delighted to be offered this fantastic opportunity to work with the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society and excellent individuals from across Wales to realise the potential of the new horticultural village. "It is encouraging a new generation of exhibitors and growers to compete and celebrate their work, with a big focus on education." Fundraising is also well underway in the show's feature county of Caernarfonshire. Show president John Owen, from Rowen near Conwy, said: "Funds have been raised in the past by the other counties to support the show to erect new buildings and improve facilities. "We have been raising funds for the show and we have something in mind but we are not there yet to reveal what this might be." The show will also welcome a royal visitor. Princess Anne, president of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth, will attend the show and its annual general meeting. It will be her seventh visit to the Royal Welsh Show, which she last attended in 2022.
