Gŵyl Tyddyn a Gardd anferth wedi’i chynllunio ar gyfer maes y Sioe Frenhinol
Since the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society took over the organisation and management of the Smallholder and Garden Festival nine years ago the event has developed into one of the leading attractions of its kind in the country. Attendances have climbed to reach over 25,000 and the scope of the Festival, held on the showground at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, has been widened to make it an event catering not only for smallholders and gardeners but one which is packed with interest and entertainment for all members of the family.
As a result of the credit crunch and the weakened pound many people will be spending their holidays at home this year and events like the Smallholder and Garden Festival are likely to benefit as more of us look for less expensive forms of relaxation not too far away.
There is no better place to find this than at the Festival, one of the three major shows staged by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (the others are the four-day Royal Welsh Show on July 20 – 23 and the Royal Welsh Winter Fair on November 30 – December 1) and it will raise the curtain on the society’s 2009 calendar of events on May 16 and 17. All three are excellent value for money and provide visitors with splendid entertainment which can be enjoyed together with the modern facilities of one of the finest showgrounds in Europe.
This year’s Festival is being planned as a bumper event and promises to be bigger and better than any of its predecessors with something to interest everyone who has a love of the countryside. The extensive programme will include, to mention only some, floral and food halls, vintage machinery displays, rare and traditional breeds of cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, woodland craft and farming demonstrations, a premier open dog show with over 1000 entries, llamas and alpacas, bees, pets and poultry, farm machinery and equipment auctions. Creative and locally-produced food and drink will be sold by Farmers Markets and a large variety of crafts, flowers, shrubs and vegetables will also be on offer among the 200 trade stands on the showground.
Some 30 exuberant and colourful displays have already been booked for the Floral Hall where visitors can also find advice on garden design or purchase a range of home or garden items.
The Festival runs from 9.00am to six o’clock in the evening on both days and a full programme of entertainment is being arranged with special attractions for children. A folk dance festival will also be held with dances from many traditions and classes for beginners.
Admission to the Festival costs £10 for adults and £3 for children aged 5 – 16 years. Those under five years are admitted free. Family tickets are also available at £24 and weekend caravanning and camping pitches are available within the perimeter of the showground from 12 noon on May 16 to 12 noon on May 17 costing £30 per pitch. Parking is free.
Admission tickets and caravan pitches can be pre-ordered and pre-booked online at www.rwas.co.uk/en/garden-festival/tickets-camping or by telephone on 0844 545 0517 or email dee@rwas.co.uk.