Gwnewch eich siopa Nadolig yn Ffair Aeaf RWAS
Despite the credit crunch this need not be an austerity Christmas for bargain hunters looking for gifts for friends and family if they visit the Royal Welsh Winter Fair.
The two-day Fair will be staged this year on December 1 and 2, leaving just 22 shopping days to Christmas and there will be a large number of trade stands on the Royal Welsh showground offering a range of affordable goods from which to choose and buy presents.
The Winter Fair is widely acclaimed as the finest prime stock show in Europe and is principally for farmers with cattle, sheep, pigs and ponies the core attraction. However, the Fair has developed and diversified since it was established nearly 20 years ago and is now a favourite event for urban visitors as well as farming families and those living in the countryside. Last year 24,397 people attended the Fair, many of them town dwellers who have come to appreciate it as a good place to go shopping for inspired and stylish gifts and to enjoy all the other attractions and interests that make up this seasonal fixture.
Among these is the produce and handicrafts show where the artistic creativity displayed by competitors in the crafts section and the mouth-watering savouries and confections set before the judges in the produce classes are not to be missed.
Many of these classes have a traditional Christmas theme and there are also special classes for children as well. The entrants gaining top points in the produce and handicraft sections each receive prize cards and a piece of Welsh Royal Crystal as the rewards for their efforts.
Mrs Kay Spencer, a Director of the Winter Fair said: “We extend a warm welcome to everyone and our stewards will assist with advice on the crafts on display to prospective exhibitors and visitors alike.
“A floral art show is also being staged in the South Glamorgan Exhibition Hall where some 90 outstanding exhibits, both traditional and modern, will be displayed. These will range from door decorations for Christmas to fabulous floral interpretations of ‘Peace and Goodwill’.”
The Food Hall is another popular stopping point for visitors to the Fair where quality food and drink produced in Wales can be seen, sampled and purchased. The choice is wide with wines, cheeses, chocolates and other edible delights among the delicious products waiting for Christmas shoppers.
And for those who want some respite and a place to relax after a shopping spree at the stands, a free glass of mulled wine and a mince pie are available at the Montgomery International Pavilion where there is a full programme of demonstrations and a fashion show. Appetising menus are also available in Hafod a Hendre and Neudd Henllan and home-cooked produce from the WI and local caterers will be on offer at affordable prices.