The Royal Welsh Show: A celebration of all things rural

The Royal Welsh is a celebration of all things rural and more, and the highlight for me will be the opportunity to catch up with our members and supporters. 

It is an absolute delight to see so many thriving rural businesses, whether you are making cheese, brewing beer, selling countryside themed artwork or huge powerful farm machinery. The Royal Welsh Show is where many purchases are made, deals are struck and car boots are filled with goods bought and carried through crowded isles by shoppers pleased with their purchases. 

The Royal Welsh is the shop window for so many of our Countryside Alliance Awards finalists and winners from across Wales. Some will be there for a day out, others will be there as trade stands, and I know only too well how much work goes into that; to set up your stand and ensure that everything is running like clockwork for when the gates open on Monday morning. Our food and drink producers are up against it and most of them, such as Penmincae Welsh Beef and Lamb, are cooking in sweltering heat or fending off drops of rain from the griddle while promoting farming and sustaining a traditional family farm.

The show is also a hugely important time for us here at the Countryside Alliance to continue our political engagement. Welsh Government officials and Senedd Members visit the stand throughout the week giving us the chance to 'talk shop' outside of Cardiff Bay, which is always a refreshing change for all concerned!

There are of course a considerable amount smaller agricultural and county shows across Wales which are incredibly important for rural communities. Not only is it an important day in the calendar for locals to socialise with friends and family, but it's also the testing ground for those who aspire to show at the Royal Welsh and win that prestigious red card. The local shows allow the chance for both young and older handlers to dip their toe into the water of the world of showing and perfect their skills after a few thrills and spills with sheep, horses or cattle that give their handlers that grounding lesson! The smaller shows are indeed the cogs that drive the machine that is the Royal Welsh. 

Come and see us on the Countryside Alliance stand where we will have plenty to see and do. To find us, simply follow your nose (like a good hound!) to the corner of the Countryside Care Area, behind HSBC and next to Natural Resources Wales. We have hounds, ferrets, birds of prey, and fantastic game cookery demonstrations by Castell Howell development chef, Stewart Williams. It is the perfect place to join us for a catch up on our campaigns, and for us to say thank you for your continued support!

Image: The Royal Welsh Show