WITH less than a month to go before the first local show of the season, organisers of Llanbister Show want everyone to know about the great line-up of activities and fresh attractions taking place.
The event is being held on Monday, May 29, the final bank holiday of this busy period.
Not only are there the traditional activities like adults and children's crafts, cookery, produce, over-16s art and photography competitions, horse jumping, dog and sheep shows, a raffle, the fur and feather small animal show, for probably the first time in the show’s history there will be a carriage driving display, supported by the British Carriage Society, not to mention a vintage and custom car, agricultural vehicle and machinery event, as well as a pig show, under the auspices of the Wales And Border Counties Pig Breeders Association.
There will also be sideshows, an alpaca display and a variety of community and craft stalls, including MAC Chocolates, the Royal British Legion, John Bates Model Vehicles, Radnor Wildlife Trust, and hedgehog and squirrel projects.
The fur and feather's bird and poultry show was also set to make a return, but has been cancelled due to the discovery of more cases of avian flu in the area.
Traditional refreshments will be provided in the tea tent and entertainment throughout the day will be provided by Rhayader Male Voice Choir, Cantal YFC and a vintage fairground organ.
The build-up to the show will see a fun horse ride take place on Saturday, May 27, a speed shear competition with barbecue (admission free) and a car treasure hunt on Sunday, May 28.
It’s wonderful to see such busy preparations being made for an event that celebrated its centenary a year ago – yet one that might not even have made it to the celebrated milestone.
Llanbister Show was celebrating its centenary on the same weekend as Queen Elizabeth II marked her 70-year reign on the throne last year.
But, at the tail end of 2021, organisers were left wondering if they were actually going to get to blow out the candles on their 100th birthday cake, as a dwindling committee and lack of volunteers meant the event was in jeopardy.
Whether it was down to the doom and gloom following 18 months of lockdowns and isolation during Covid-19, or a growing lack of enthusiasm in general, Llanbister Show and Sports – to give the event its full name – organisers feared for the future.
Fortunately, the local community rallied around its showpiece event following an emergency meeting, and the centenary show took place on June 3.
Entries this year are welcome from all around the area and most will be accepted on the day, but pigs, vehicles and (if regulations allow nearer the date) poultry cage bookings for fur and feather must be notified in advance.
Details and competition rules are set out in the printed programme now available in various shops, public places, on request by emailing llanbistershow@hotmail.com, by getting in touch with organisers via the Llanbister Show Facebook page or by phoning 07821 106025 (leave a message). Some section details will be available on the Facebook page.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here