Over 220,000 see Royal Welsh Show
Despite the economic recession and the heavy rain on the second and third days, the 2009 Royal Welsh Show, featured by Glamorgan, proved to be remarkably successful due to the continued support of members, exhibitors and visitors.
For the 21st time the attendance exceeded 200,000. It was, coincidentally, in 1989 when the show was also featured by Glamorgan, that visitor numbers first exceeded 200,000.
Bright weather on the last day of the show saw the attendance reach 47,176 by mid afternoon taking the total over four days to 220,023 and organisers declared themselves delighted with the results. The attendance figures included 652 visitors from 30 overseas countries.
The chairman of the Royal Welsh board, David Lewis, paid tribute to the 1100 stewards who gave their services free of charge. Without their voluntary contribution, the show could not go on, he said. “Very many, especially those involved with stewarding outdoors, had the additional inconvenience of having to brave the elements. Running the show is a massive team effort involving numerous companies, organisations, sponsors as well as the permanent and temporary staff.”
The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society is continually improving the extensive exhibition halls and pavilions, the roadways and footpaths as well as draining the trade stand areas in order to combat poor weather.
In addition, the society might have to consider providing an artificial surface for the whole or part of the main ring on the showground at Llanelwedd to ensure that the judging and entertainment run as per programme and to alleviate the damage caused by bad weather. Cattle were withdrawn from the grand parade on health and safety grounds on the Wednesday and Thursday of the show after heavy rainfall left it muddy and slippery.
The society’s Chief Executive, David Walters said the state of the ring had been the subject of a number of comments, but there were mixed views about installing an artificial surface. However, the society would consult widely with other show societies and also with racecourses and sporting arenas over a possible solution to the problem.
Overseas visitors to the show included 91 from New Zealand many of whom saw a team of sheep shearers from Wales beat a team of New Zealanders at the showground for the first time. Next year’s Royal Welsh Show will be the venue for the Golden Shears World Championships when more than 30 national teams are expected to compete.
Mr Lewis said the show was visited by representatives of the RASE. He was deeply saddened that they had recently staged their show for the last time.
“We, however, are concentrating on our own show and we shall soon commence work on two exciting new projects, the Food Hall and the Montgomery Building (Members’ Pavilion) which I hope will be in place for next year.”
The show contributes in a major way to the local economy but the chairman acknowledges that it is a major imposition on the local community and the society is most grateful for the patience and forbearance of the local inhabitants.
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