MONTGOMERY’S 2018 show attracted crowds from the town and across the country for a friendly and welcoming show on Saturday.

Marquees and tents, the show ring, exhibits and displays were all in place and looking their best for the official opening of the show by this year’s presidents, Mike and Lesley Mills.

The show races on the previous evening had drawn record numbers, and first out of the blocks the under 15s galloped away to race out across Lymore Park and back to well earned acclaim. Dewi Bradley won the race this year, chased home by brothers Rowan and Seth Howells and his sister Mya Bradley, first girl to finish.

An hour later, the adult’s race organised by Maldwyn Harriers involved 111 runners competing in a challenging multi-terrain 4.5 mile course.

Carwyn Owen, winner of the adults race, is aged 16 years: winning against a mature field, a young runner for the future? He was almost a minute ahead of his nearest rival. First home after a fine run was Carwyn Owen in the men’s category on 28.15 minutes (record 23.58). Mel Price won for the ladies’s run in 30.23 minutes – just five seconds short of the ladies’ record.

Delicious refreshments kindly supplied by Montgomery ladies were greatly appreciated by one and all. The show weekend had begun!

Early next day the tension built as exhibitors delivered their entries each hoping theirs was a winner and many indeed were. The show opened at midday with a stirring speech from Mike Mills, show president, and the Carnival, floats and fancy dress thrilled the spectators.

At 1pm the marquee opened and those attending were free to admire the many exhibits including expertly grown and lovingly pandered vegetables, exquisite flower arrangements, gallery standard arts and crafts, calendar standard photographs and of course some ‘final-round bake-off ‘quality cakes and tarts. The tent looked magnificent.

Knighton Silver Band kept everyone musically entertained all afternoon whilst the main events in the ring ensured maximum audience attention as the challenging Stannage International Stunt Team impressed and terrified in equal measures: their astonishing stunts demonstrating the highest levels of trust between team members.

The vintage cars added a touch of nostalgic glamour to an already delighted audience, whilst the fiercely contended Dog Show was as engaging as ever, again with large numbers of entrants.

Not one to be outdone, Farmer David Jones drew a boisterous crowd as he once again artfully judged the now famous ‘potato-in-a-bucket’ competition, and the full and eventful day drew to a close with the traditional tug-of-war competition to tumultuous applause.

Finally in the show marquee, treasured exhibits were removed and prizes collected.

Volunteers appeared to once again transform a seemingly post apoplectic scene into a banqueting tent fit for a Sultan’s feast where 300 elegantly dressed diners were lavishly fed and watered the following day – a hugely successful ending to a truly wonderful Show Weekend.

In thanking all those who had contributed to the show’s success, chairman Chris Boundy graciously thanked all who had contributed to the events over the show weekend before paying special tribute to Neil and Karen Orton for their laudable generosity in once again loaning their field to Montgomery Show.