PLANS to change the structure of the school summer holidays in Wales will cause “enormous” challenges and impact on other major national events, not just the Royal Welsh Show.

Organisers of the show, one of Wales’ most iconic and important annual events, say they are not just thinking of themselves in opposing Welsh Government proposals.

The plans would see the summer break for Welsh pupils reduced by one week, meaning schools would be open during the Royal Welsh Show – which traditionally takes place in the first week of the holidays towards the end of July.

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) fears changes could result in a £1 million loss.

County Times: The Welsh Government proposes to shorten the summer holidays first from six weeks to five, but ultimately to four weeks. This means show organisers might have to move the date of the show to the beginning or even mid-August. The Welsh Government proposes to shorten the summer holidays first from six weeks to five, but ultimately to four weeks. This means show organisers might have to move the date of the show to the beginning or even mid-August.

More than that, they say other events would be severely affected. The National Eisteddfod, which takes place this year in Pontypridd from August 3-10, would clash with the Royal Welsh if it were forced to move back a week, hitting contractors and suppliers who attend both events.

The Government also proposes cutting the holidays first from six weeks to five, but ultimately to four weeks, meaning the event could have to move twice.

“Changing the dates of the Royal Welsh Show would present enormous practical challenges,” said Aled Rhys Jones, chief executive of the RWAS.

“It is littered with complications and knock-on effects. Moving the show, say a week later, would impact on other major events in Wales such as the National Eisteddfod. Many of our contractors and suppliers operate at both events and this would seriously impact on their availability.

“We do not want to see any major Welsh cultural event being undermined by these proposals and any change of this magnitude would need to be considered carefully by our board of directors.

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“Furthermore, we must remember that the Welsh Government are proposing to shorten the summer holidays in two phases.

“The first phase will see the holidays reduced from six weeks to five, with the ultimate aim of reducing the holidays to four weeks. So, if the Royal Welsh Show was to change dates, where do we move to? Beginning or mid-August? Do we move once or move twice?”

Almost a quarter of a million people visit the Royal Welsh Show annually and it is considered to be the largest agricultural show of its kind in Europe.

The economic impact of the event is in excess of £40m and there is approximately £10m visitor spend during the event itself.

The RWAS is asking the Welsh Government to reconsider their proposed dates so that the Royal Welsh Show is always in the summer holidays.

“The show sits within a UK calendar of agricultural shows and any change will have consequences on livestock exhibitors, traders, judges, stewards and sponsors, as well as other shows across the country,” added Mr Rhys Jones.

County Times: The RWAS fears changing the date of the show could cost the organisation £1 million. The RWAS fears changing the date of the show could cost the organisation £1 million. (Image: Phil Blagg)

“It is clear that there are a lot of factors to consider when exploring the prospect of changing the dates of one of Wales’ longest running and most iconic events.

“It is not something we want to do but ultimately, as a member-led charity, it will be a matter for discussion with our board of directors as member representatives as we determine our future path.”

An ultimate decision is due this spring but the proposed changes, if given the go-ahead, would take effect from September 2025, with the first shortened summer break coming into effect in July 2026.

Changes would see the week-long October half term break extended to a fortnight, while a consultation will also ask for views on the summer holidays being reduced to four weeks in future, adding a week to the May half term to spread breaks out more evenly across the year.