THE 2021 Virtual Royal Welsh Show was declared open on Monday (July 19) as Mid Wales’ biggest event of the year once again takes place online rather than on the lush green grass of the Llanelwedd showground.
With show chiefs declaring earlier this year that the event – the jewel in the crown of Welsh and British agriculture – would not go ahead for a second successive year, farmers up and down Wales had to come to terms with the fact their annual pilgrimage to Builth Wells would once again have to be put on hold.
The 2021 Virtual Royal Welsh Show was officially declared open on Monday morning by chair of council, David Lewis. Despite not being held in person, organiser say the event will still showcase the best within the industry online for the second year in a row.
In his opening speech Mr Lewis noted that everyone has had to adapt after the pandemic, including the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS), who at least hope to build on what was offered and celebrated during the 2020 virtual show.
“Who’d have thought after the cancellation of last year’s show that we’d be in a similar position a year later,” said Mr Lewis, speaking in a recording posted on the RAWAS website.
“The pandemic had a devastating effect on the events sector with no festivals or shows for nearly 18 months. The impact was keenly effect in local economies, and people’s wellness and mental health suffered. Events like the Royal Welsh are opportunities to meet friends, socialise, relax and for many it is an annual holiday. We are more than just a show, which hopefully will be eventually evident in Clwyd’s feature year in 2022.”
A new aspect to this year’s show is a competitions element to get the next generation involved in activities, from a young handlers class to a decorating biscuits.
Organisers would like to thank their sponsors for this year’s virtual Royal Welsh Show and are encouraging people all over Wales to join them over the course of the week online to view and catch up on all of the webinars available and also to view the next generation of budding future farmers.
“Everyone will have to adapt to a changing world and the Royal Welsh is no different,” added Mr Lewis.
“This year’s s virtual show builds on the success of last year’s event and contains a number of webinars where constant strategic issues facing agriculture and related events will be discussed.
“During the show we shall launch the Royal Welsh leadership programme. There will also be a chance to look behind the scenes at the showground, meet the staff and directors. We will also be featuring competitions and announcements of society awards.”
“I’m glad to say that recent government announcements have created a more positive landscape, with the removal of restrictions in Wales on August 7. This means we are able to plan our equine event in September and the Winter Fair and other events with more confidence.
“It has been a difficult time but I’d like to pay tribute to our loyal membership whose support has allowed us to carry on. It is against the background of positivity and ambition that I am pleased to declare the 2021 Virtual Royal Welsh Show open.”
There were also messages of support and thanks from other bodies and individuals, including rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths and Catherine Smith, chair of Hybu Cig Cymru.
The Hybu Cig Cymru Meat Promotion Wales breakfast is a highlight of the Monday morning of the show.
“We come together this year with hope on the horizon as recovery takes over from emergency,” said Ms Smith.
“We’ve endured a traumatic 16 months but one where this industry stepped up to the nation’s tables.”
Rural affairs minister Ms Griffiths added: “This time last year I said I hoped we’d all be able to meet in person this year, but unfortunately Covid-19 has not gone away.
“Our incredible vaccination programme in Wales continues at a terrific pace and hopefully next summer we will be able to meet up properly.
“I know many farming families are again missing their annual visit to the show. The last 16 months have been a real hard struggle for many of you, with lockdown bringing even greater isolation for those in rural locations.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has played their part in producing our food, making it available in shops and promoting it. You have made an heroic contribution in keeping the nation going during the pandemic.
“I recognise how hard business was impacted during the pandemic across the country but, thanks to your incredible efforts, the sector stabilised, prices rose and have stayed high for beef and lamb.”
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