CHEPSTOW agricultural society has celebrated its 175th year this month with a dinner at St Pierre Hotel and Country Club.

People from across Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire came together to celebrate rural trades, talents and tastes in the area.

The event also served as a fundraiser for the society, which organises the annual Chepstow Show.

Alun Morgan, the society's chairman, said: “Marking our 175th anniversary is a significant achievement that everyone in the society is incredibly proud of. Pulling together the memorabilia from the society over the years has been fascinating, and provides a real insight into the strength of our local agricultural community as well as the breadth of skills and talents that exist.

“Now more than ever, with an increasingly urban population, it’s vital that we do what we can to showcase the very best of working rural life to as many people as possible, and I hope that Chepstow Agricultural Society will be doing that more many years to come.”

The society can trace its roots as far back as 1841 when a Chepstow Farmers Club was established, holding a ploughing match at Hayes Gate Farm, Crick as its inaugural event.

To mark this historic event diners were be able to read the original news report on the ploughing match from 1841, as well as see a selection of photographs and memorabilia from the Society’s history.

As well as putting on the Chepstow Show, which this year takes place at Chepstow Racecourse on August 12, the society also seeks to provide support to various agricultural charities.