Records set as successful Llanfyllin Show attracts large crowd

This year’s Llanfyllin Show has been described as one of the most successful as a large crowd attended the popular annual event earlier in August.

Chairman Dyfrig Jones said there was a record number of trade stands and entries across all sections, with a particularly high standard in horses section, and a “considerable number” of young farmers supported the Montgomery YFC evening speed shearing competition in the evening.

Warm sunshine made a welcome appearance in the afternoon, following intermittent rain showers, as star attraction, The Atkinson Action Horses stunt team, returned for a second year to entertain the crowd with high energy, breath-taking stunts.

“The weather was better than we were expecting and I think it was one of our most successful shows,” said Dyfrig. “It was my last year as chairman and I couldn’t fault the show.”

He thanked president Pryce Roberts for his support and everyone who had contributed to the show’s success, including the host landowners, sponsors, exhibitors, competitors, committee members and a loyal band of supporters who helped set up and clear up after the event.

Pryce said he had enjoyed his year as president, including fundraising, and praised the work of the show committee. “It was a very good show which was well supported,” he added. “Hundreds of young farmers attended which is good for the future of the show.”

There were more than 1,000 entries in the cookery, craft, art, photography, floral art and horticultural classes.

The show is held on land owned by Christopher and Laura Acton, owners of Bodfach Hall and Janet Jones, Parc. Main sponsor for the second time was Ridgway Rentals, a leading plant hire company based at St Martins, near Oswestry.

The cup winners were: Horses: Shire horses: Most points in the heavy horse and open heavy horse sections, C. D. Morris. Best exhibit in open shire horse class, Louise Davies. Best exhibit in foal section, Huw Murphy. Welsh Cobs: Best local mare or gelding, Claire Brooke. Best exhibit, Sally Roberts.  Children’s riding class: Overall winner and best lead rein, Matilda Downey. Hunters: Best exhibit and best working hunter, Wendy Harris. Local novice pony mare or gelding, that had never won a first prize, residing within 10 miles of Llanfyllin, Gemma Jones. Veteran champion, Izzy Kinvig. Best in hand exhibit, Sophie.

Sheep: Best exhibit, John Pryce. Best group, Dafydd Owen. Blue faced Leicester most points, Clive and Helen Roberts. Lleyn best exhibit, Mrs D. M. & Miss A. D. Jones. Suffolk best exhibit and best group, John Pryce. Texel best exhibit, Rhys Jones. Welsh Hardy best exhibit, Geraint Evans. Welsh Hill Speckled-face best group, Richard Howardson. Best exhibit in Speckled Sheep classes, Hywel Watkins. Mules best exhibit, Lynfa Jones. Jacobs best exhibit and best female Jacob, William and Cailyn Owen. Overall champion in butchers lambs, pest pen of butchers lambs and YFC member with most points, Rachael Lockier. Any other British breed, Richard Whitticase. Any other continental breed, Clive and Helen Roberts. Young handler under 10 years, Griff Watkins.

Cookery and preserves: Most points in section, Ceri Griffiths. Rich fruit cake, Carol Owen. Most points in yeast classes, Margaret Herbert. Best exhibit in open section, Annie Vaughan Jones. Most points in preserves section, Anne Lloyd. Children’s cookery: Most points four years and under, Sophia Ward Hornby. Most points five to eight years, Caitlyn Owen. Most points nine to 12 years, Teleri Jones. Local exhibitor with most points 13 to 17 years, Seren Cunninham. YFC member with most points, Jess Andrews.

Handicrafts: Most points in open sections, Pauline Page-Jones. Local children with highest points, Ella Evans. Best exhibit in children’s section, Mason Morris. Best exhibit under four years, George Breese and Efelin Williams Griffith. Best exhibit five to nine years, Ruby Hartshorn. Photography: Best exhibit, Carol Owen.

Horticultural: Best exhibit in the garden competition, Margaret Herbert. Most points in open sections and best onion exhibit, Barry Price. Most points in local section, Will Deene. Best carrot exhibit, E. F. Evans. Children’s best exhibit, Jack Ellis. Children’s best collection of wild flowers and grasses, Alice Roberts.  Floral art:  Best exhibit and most points, Becca Morris. Under 18 best exhibit, Mary Lewis. Agricultural produce: Best bale of hay, Ella Evans.

Sheepdog trials: Open winner, Emyr Jones. Dogs not having won first or second prize in an open class, Brynley Williams. District class, Huw Francis.

Agriculture: Local competitor with most points in agricultural classes, Helen and Clive Roberts. Best commercial trade stand, Charlies Ag & Turf.