20,000 visitors flock to top farm show in Monmouth (From Free Press Series)

20,000 visitors flock to top farm show in Monmouth

11:22am Friday 31st August 2012 in News

Around 20,000 visitors flocked to enjoy the Monmouthshire Show the largest one-day agricultural show in Wales.

The show, which celebrates the best in farming and has been held for more than 150 years, provided entertainment, competitions, show-jumping and displays at the Monmouthshire Showground in Monmouth on Thursday.

Among the attractions were 350 trade stands selling local produce and crafts, traditional cider-making, a display by Usk Gun Dogs and scurry championships.

In the countryside ring motorbike stunt rider Jason Smyth entertained the crowds with his hair-raising freestyle jumps 30 feet in the air, while in the main ring show-jumpers competed for a place in the Horse of the Year Show.

Visitors sampled crepes and local ciders, while youngsters were entertained by Mr Alexander's Travelling Show and a display by Black Mountain Falconry. One of the early winners of the day was Frank Robinson, 78, who owns Nantyderry Nurseries, near Abergavenny. Mr Robinson won a first- place rosette for his colourful display of plants. Mr Robinson, who recently scooped Gold at the Royal Welsh Show, is a veteran of the Monmouthshire Show, having attended for 20 years.

He said: "It's wonderful to receive an award and to support the show."

Farmers Kay Morgan, 34, and her father, Gerald Morgan, 64, of Graig Olway Farm, Usk, who brought along five of their Llangeview Suffolk sheep, were nervously awaiting the judges' results, as was Joan Stevens, of Ty Isaf Farm, Gilwern, who was showing six Anglo-Nubian milkers in the goat section.

Little Alena Lawson, five, of Newport, was visiting for the first time with grandfather Gerald Phillips, of Highfield, Langstone, who was showing his pedigree Black Welsh Mountain sheep.

She said: "I am very excited to be here and like all the animals, especially the sheep."

Twin sisters Ella and Grace Plant, from Coleford, were also first-time visitors.

Their dad, Sam, 34, said they were enjoying all the attractions but especially looking forward to seeing the smaller animals.

Show secretary Anna Williams said: "Despite parking problems caused by the ground conditions we had over 20,000 visitors, on par with last year. "The sun shone, entries were up and it's been a fantastic day."