WALES REGION – Regional Contact Member – Alison Ross
The warm dry summer seems a distant memory as I look back to my five day commute over the Epynt to attend the Royal Welsh Show. The Mynydd Epynt is a large tract of land to the north of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National park. In 1940 200 people from 54 farms were evicted in order to make way for a military training ground.
I was witness to some breath-taking views as an early start would often treat me to swirling mists of “ Dragon’s Breath” in the valleys, while the sun broke through on the tops of the hills creating an other-worldly atmosphere.
The Royal Welsh Show is Wales’ flagship agricultural show attracting big names in the farming community and we are lucky to have some well- established and highly thought of Jacob flocks who regularly attend the show. This year was a particularly difficult time with Blue Tongue restrictions meaning only flocks based in Wales could enter so it was gratifying to see how many members attended both to participate and to lend support. It also gave some newer members a chance to rise and shine in the line-up. All the classes had a good entry of quality sheep to keep our judge, Lyn Jones, busy. The JSS Boraston Shield for best group of three was won by Gwenllian Evans, and the best male exhibit was James Leonard’s four horn shearling ram. The best female exhibit was the Harries’ family’s four horn shearling ewe which went on to win the JSS perpetual trophy as champion with James Leonard’s four horn shearling tup taking reserve. Many thanks to Lyn for judging. In the RWAS young handlers competition, Sara Harries came 1st out of 23 entries in her class and Lois Harries came 2nd out of 30 in her class. Well done to both of them.
The Wales Region Show and Sale at Monmouth Livestock Centre was also hampered by the Blue Tongue restrictions (incidentally lifted the day after the sale). However a moderate entry of 55 sheep was ably judged by Hayley Higginson and then auctioned by Lyndon Trumper to an almost 100% clearance. Female champion and overall champion was awarded to the Trumper family and their lovely two horn shearling ewe with the reserve championship awarded to the Harries family’s two horn ram lamb. Top prices of 600gns went to a Beiliau ewe lamb, 520gns to a GJ ewe lamb, 500gns to a Madog ewe lamb, and 400gns to a Penni Bach four horn ewe lamb
It is with great sadness that the RWAS has decided to end the Spring Show formerly known as The Smallholders and Countryside Show. Many of us will be very disappointed to hear this news. We will have to look for another show for our JSS breed promotion stand.
I would like to extend my gratitude to so many Welsh members and our visiting judges, who have helped at shows, the sale and behind the scenes in what has been a difficult year for all of us. You know who you are and I hope you know you are not taken for granted. As is often said, team work makes the dream work.