CROWDS flocked to Builth Wells on Monday (November 29) as competitors, spectators and shoppers returned in person for the 2021 Royal Welsh Winter Fair.

Monday saw a return to normality for the rural Mid Wales community; a packed showground in Llanelwedd a familiar sight following a flatulent 2020 in which events at the popular venue ground to a halt amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

After celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2019, last year’s Winter Fair was cancelled, following suit after the summer’s Royal Welsh Show was called off. The jewel in the crown of Mid Wales events was postponed for a second year this July, but the Winter Fair made a welcome return, taking place over two days.

And, according to one prominent Powys figure, the event’s return has brought with it an injection of life and optimism.

“Powys businesses have missed these events because we do rely on big events like the Winter Fair and Hay Festival and Green Man Festival,” said Rosemarie Harris, the leader of Powys County Council.

Councillor Harris was appearing at the fair in her role as a senior steward of the horticultural section, having served as a member of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society for more than 30 years.

“We’re very lucky to have them and it’s pleasing to get the show back on the road,” she said. “Many events and companies have gone online during the pandemic but there’s nothing like the face-to-face interaction you get at events like this.

“It’s a great event and there’s a good crowd here. We’re in Powys so it’s really good for us and our economy. I heard that there are no hotel rooms left in town, nor at B&Bs, even caravan sites are fully booked. There’s lots of people here, there’ll be lots of people eating in the local pubs, which is really good.

“It’s good to be back, see our competitors and see lots of people. It’s been good just seeing people enjoying being together again.”

In terms of entries in the horticultural section, Cllr Harris admitted numbers were down, but not by a great deal.

She added: “Entries are slightly down, but only very slightly. We’ve got a really high standard of competition this year despite the pandemic.

“We weren’t sure going in how many competitors you’re going to have or if people would return but the judges have been very impressed.”

The Winter Fair concludes on Tuesday.