Royal Welsh Show
Encyclopedia
The Royal Welsh Show is the biggest agricultural show
in Europe
. It is organised by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, which was formed in 1904, and takes place in July of each year, at Llanelwedd
, near Builth Wells
, in Powys
, Mid Wales
.
The first show was held in Aberystwyth in 1904, and its success led to the development of the permanent showground at Llanelwedd, first used in 1963.
.
Events include:
Given its "Royal" status it is not unusual for a senior member of the British Royal family
to attend at the Show. A familiar sight is the Prince of Wales
who is generally acknowledged to be a keen supporter of the farming community. Indeed following his outspoken support during the 2001 foot and mouth
crisis, some farmers regard him as an influential figure. One farming union, the FUW, nominated him for his outstanding contribution to agriculture in 2003 which was announced at the show.
. Exhibitors attend from throughout Wales and beyond and the quality of competition is always high. Of particular prestige is the category of Supreme Champion in the cattle
section. Success in this category attracts attention to the exhibitor and cattle breeders will be willing to pay more for the animal's progeny. Despite this financial incentive, the majority of exhibitors will claim they compete for the honour and the camaraderie.
s sighted next to a stand selling luxury sports cars.
runs a series of competitions throughout Wales throughout the year and the finals of the practical competitions usually take place at the Show. Amongst these events are stock judging and tractor
driving.
This event on its own brings spectators from all around the world.
Agricultural show
An agricultural show is a public event showcasing the equipment, animals, sports and recreation associated with agriculture and animal husbandry. The largest comprise a livestock show , a trade fair, competitions, and entertainment...
in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. It is organised by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, which was formed in 1904, and takes place in July of each year, at Llanelwedd
Llanelwedd
Llanelwedd is a village near Builth Wells, in Powys, Wales. It lies within the historic boundaries of the former county of Radnorshire.-Location and geography:...
, near Builth Wells
Builth Wells
Builth Wells is a town in the county of Powys, within the historic boundaries of Brecknockshire, mid Wales, lying at the confluence of the River Wye and the River Irfon, in the Welsh of the Wye Valley. It has a population of 2,352....
, in Powys
Powys
Powys is a local-government county and preserved county in Wales.-Geography:Powys covers the historic counties of Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire, most of Brecknockshire , and a small part of Denbighshire — an area of 5,179 km², making it the largest county in Wales by land area.It is...
, Mid Wales
Mid Wales
Mid Wales is the name given to the central region of Wales. The Mid Wales Regional Committee of the National Assembly for Wales covered the counties of Ceredigion and Powys and the area of Gwynedd that had previously been the district of Meirionydd. A similar definition is used by the BBC...
.
The first show was held in Aberystwyth in 1904, and its success led to the development of the permanent showground at Llanelwedd, first used in 1963.
Format
The show lasts for four days and attracts more than 200,000 visitors annually, making it a major boon for tourism in WalesTourism in Wales
Wales is an emerging tourist destination, with 8,078,900 visitors to National Trust and Welsh Tourist Board destinations in 2002. The industry has been estimated to have an annual turnover of £3.5 billion....
.
Events include:
- Judging of cattleCattleCattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
, sheep, horseHorseThe horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
s, goatGoatThe domestic goat is a subspecies of goat domesticated from the wild goat of southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. The goat is a member of the Bovidae family and is closely related to the sheep as both are in the goat-antelope subfamily Caprinae. There are over three hundred distinct breeds of...
s, pigPigA pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the Suidae family of even-toed ungulates. Pigs include the domestic pig, its ancestor the wild boar, and several other wild relatives...
s and various other domestic animals - Sheepdog trialSheepdog trialA Sheepdog trial is a competitive dog sport in which herding dog breeds move sheep around a field, fences, gates, or enclosures as directed by their handlers. Such events are particularly associated with hill farming areas, where sheep range widely on largely unfenced land...
s - Sheep shearingSheep shearingSheep shearing, shearing or clipping is the process by which the woollen fleece of a sheep is cut off. The person who removes the sheep's wool is called a shearer. Typically each adult sheep is shorn once each year...
competitions - Horse riding competitions
- Four-in-hand and Carriage DrivingCarriage drivingCarriage Driving is a form of horse driving in harness in which larger two or four wheeled carriages, often restored antiques, are pulled by a single horse, a pair, tandem or a four-in-hand team. Pleasure competitions are judged on the turnout, neatness or suitability of the horse or horses and the...
displays - FalconryFalconryFalconry is "the taking of wild quarry in its natural state and habitat by means of a trained raptor". There are two traditional terms used to describe a person involved in falconry: a falconer flies a falcon; an austringer flies a hawk or an eagle...
- Games and sports such as the King's Troop, Royal Horse ArtilleryKing's Troop, Royal Horse ArtilleryThe King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery is a ceremonial unit of the British Army. It is a mounted unit and all of its soldiers are trained to drive a team of six horses that pull each of the six First World War-era 13-pounder state saluting guns...
of the Royal Horse ArtilleryRoyal Horse ArtilleryThe regiments of the Royal Horse Artillery , dating from 1793, are part of the Royal Regiment of Artillery of the British Army... - Arts and craftsArts and craftsArts and crafts comprise a whole host of activities and hobbies that are related to making things with one's hands and skill. These can be sub-divided into handicrafts or "traditional crafts" and "the rest"...
show - Live musicLive MusicLive Music is a reggaeton company owned by DJ Giann.-Artists:* Jowell & Randy* Tony Lenta* Watussi* De La Ghetto* Guelo Star* Galante "El Emperador"-Producers:*DJ Blass*Dexter*Mr. Greenz*DJ Giann*Los Hitmen*Dirty Joe*ALX...
Given its "Royal" status it is not unusual for a senior member of the British Royal family
British Royal Family
The British Royal Family is the group of close relatives of the monarch of the United Kingdom. The term is also commonly applied to the same group of people as the relations of the monarch in her or his role as sovereign of any of the other Commonwealth realms, thus sometimes at variance with...
to attend at the Show. A familiar sight is the Prince of Wales
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
who is generally acknowledged to be a keen supporter of the farming community. Indeed following his outspoken support during the 2001 foot and mouth
Foot-and-mouth disease
Foot-and-mouth disease or hoof-and-mouth disease is an infectious and sometimes fatal viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including domestic and wild bovids...
crisis, some farmers regard him as an influential figure. One farming union, the FUW, nominated him for his outstanding contribution to agriculture in 2003 which was announced at the show.
Prestige
Whilst being a successful exhibitor at any show is a success, victory at the Royal Welsh Show is regarded as particularly significant not only in Wales but throughout the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Exhibitors attend from throughout Wales and beyond and the quality of competition is always high. Of particular prestige is the category of Supreme Champion in the cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
section. Success in this category attracts attention to the exhibitor and cattle breeders will be willing to pay more for the animal's progeny. Despite this financial incentive, the majority of exhibitors will claim they compete for the honour and the camaraderie.
Business
Most major businesses with links to agriculture will have a trade stand at the show. Given the number of farming people at the venue it is regarded as a vital opportunity to attract new business as well as to network with current customers. It is not unusual to see an exhibition trade stand selling Manure spreaderManure spreader
A manure spreader or muck spreader or honey wagon is an agricultural machine used to distribute manure over a field as a fertilizer. A typical manure spreader consists of a trailer towed behind a tractor with a rotating mechanism driven by the tractor's power take off...
s sighted next to a stand selling luxury sports cars.
Social Event
The Royal Welsh is particularly significant for young people who live in farming communities in Wales. It is regarded as one of the highlights of the year and as an opportunity to socialise with old friends and make new acquaintances, particularly of the opposite sex. The National Federation of Young Farmers' ClubsNational Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs
The National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs is the largest rural youth organisation of its kind, in the United Kingdom. The Federation covers various Young Farmers' Clubs throughout England and Wales, helping support young people in agriculture and the countryside...
runs a series of competitions throughout Wales throughout the year and the finals of the practical competitions usually take place at the Show. Amongst these events are stock judging and tractor
Tractor
A tractor is a vehicle specifically designed to deliver a high tractive effort at slow speeds, for the purposes of hauling a trailer or machinery used in agriculture or construction...
driving.
Welsh Cob Senior Stallions
Arguably the biggest event at the show is the Welsh Cob Senior Stallion class, traditionally held on the Wednesday afternoon of the show. The class is held using the entire main arena, and the grandstand, opposite hill and surrounds are typically packed, with seating becoming hard to come by from about 10:30 onwards. The 50+ stallions are paraded at the trot in front of the grandstand, raising often thunderous roars from the crowd before they settle down for the judging of the class.This event on its own brings spectators from all around the world.
See also
- List of Royal Shows
- Royal ShowRoyal ShowThe Royal Show was an annual agricultural show/fair held by the Royal Agricultural Society of England every year from 1839 to 2009. It was held in Stoneleigh Park near Stoneleigh in Warwickshire, England...
former English agricultural show