Martletwy Show 2024 hailed as a 'vibrant and exciting'
When Martletwy Show was first established way back in 1953, little did its founder members think it would evolve into one of the most popular and all-embracing country shows in south Pembrokeshire.
But as exhibitors and visitors flocked through the gates on Wednesday, August 21, show secretary Wendy Richards knew that this year's 71st show would be up there with the best.
"Seeing so many entries and so many visitors supporting us yet again this year is wonderful," Wendy told Pure West Radio.
One of the show's founder members was Wendy's father, Trevor Nicholas, who helped set it up as a calf show run by the Martletwy Rabbit Clearance Society.
"One of my first memories of the show as a child was seeing the kitchen table coming into the secretary's tent," laughs Wendy. "And we've been involved with it as a family ever since and have never lost touch with the show's development."
Joining Wendy in the secretary's tent was her sister, Jan, and her niece, Rachel, making this a three-generational effort.
"This show is something that is very close indeed to our hearts," said Rachel, who was this year's livestock secretary. "We're proud that Martletwy is still a traditional agricultural show and continues to prove a great day out for everyone."
But perhaps it was the sheep judges who were dealt the greatest treat this year, with no fewer than 190 sheep entering the show ring.
" This has got a lot to do with all the youngsters who are keen to take p art as it's a very relaxed show with family vibes and this is what attracts people," commented chief sheep steward, Owen Jenkins.
"Many children start their showing career here, as indeed I did myself."
But it wasn't just the numbers that were strong - the quality inside the ring proved exemplary.
"A lot of these sheep have been to the Royal shows and the three counties and now they're here at the Martletwy," continued Owen.
"For many people, the show season starts the minute the previous show ends. And this involves feeding regimes, husbandry, trimmings that can take up to two hours, keeping them clean and healthy, halter training and getting them quiet enough to work with. Because at the end of the day, the sheep have got to be happy as well."
Owen's comments were endorsed by cattle judge Alun Thomas from Efailwen.
"The standard this year is outstanding," he said. " The numbers are a bit short, as they've been in every show, but the quality of what has entered the ring has been superb."
Winner of a clutch of rosettes including junior bulls, in-calf heifer, pairs, maiden heifer and the overall champion was Izzie Williams of Clommendy, Llangain with her British Blues.
"Yes, the numbers are down, because TB is always a massive issue but so too, is the six-day standstill," said Izzy's mother, Sian Williams. "Previously we could travel from show to show, but now we have to have six clear days before any animal can leave the farm after they've been out."
Also enjoying a successful season was Harry Davies, of Milton, who won the reserve champion Simmental cow.
Some of the show's successful horses included the Section A Champion, Crompwell Blue Emerald, shown by Catherine Owen of Blaenwaun, Whitland and the Welsh Mountain Pony Section A yearling and two and three year old class. Martin Davies and Beth Watts of Davies Brothers, Cockoo Mill Farm, Pelcomb Stud, Haverfordwest.
Meanwhile, horticulture secretary Libby Nicholas, described her displays as 'vibrant and exciting'.
"We've had a fantastic array of exhibits from all ages, but also right across the board from flowers to vegetables and from the kids' craft to cookery," she said.
"It takes a lot of time and commitment to do this, but the entries this year have been fantastic. We had no fewer than 15 Victorian sponges which is very difficult to judge after you've already judged 12 scones and the judges had just two hours to judge everything. But they went through everything in great detail to make it as fair as possible and they always leave smiling.
"And at the end of the day, that's what helps to make a good show."
Martletwy Show 2024 hailed as a 'vibrant and exciting'
When Martletwy Show was first established way back in 1953, little did its founder members think it would evolve into one of the most popular and all-embracing country shows in south Pembrokeshire.
But as exhibitors and visitors flocked through the gates on Wednesday, August 21, show secretary Wendy Richards knew that this year's 71st show would be up there with the best.
"Seeing so many entries and so many visitors supporting us yet again this year is wonderful," Wendy told Pure West Radio.
One of the show's founder members was Wendy's father, Trevor Nicholas, who helped set it up as a calf show run by the Martletwy Rabbit Clearance Society.
"One of my first memories of the show as a child was seeing the kitchen table coming into the secretary's tent," laughs Wendy. "And we've been involved with it as a family ever since and have never lost touch with the show's development."
Joining Wendy in the secretary's tent was her sister, Jan, and her niece, Rachel, making this a three-generational effort.
"This show is something that is very close indeed to our hearts," said Rachel, who was this year's livestock secretary. "We're proud that Martletwy is still a traditional agricultural show and continues to prove a great day out for everyone."
But perhaps it was the sheep judges who were dealt the greatest treat this year, with no fewer than 190 sheep entering the show ring.
" This has got a lot to do with all the youngsters who are keen to take p art as it's a very relaxed show with family vibes and this is what attracts people," commented chief sheep steward, Owen Jenkins.
"Many children start their showing career here, as indeed I did myself."
But it wasn't just the numbers that were strong - the quality inside the ring proved exemplary.
"A lot of these sheep have been to the Royal shows and the three counties and now they're here at the Martletwy," continued Owen.
"For many people, the show season starts the minute the previous show ends. And this involves feeding regimes, husbandry, trimmings that can take up to two hours, keeping them clean and healthy, halter training and getting them quiet enough to work with. Because at the end of the day, the sheep have got to be happy as well."
Owen's comments were endorsed by cattle judge Alun Thomas from Efailwen.
"The standard this year is outstanding," he said. " The numbers are a bit short, as they've been in every show, but the quality of what has entered the ring has been superb."
Winner of a clutch of rosettes including junior bulls, in-calf heifer, pairs, maiden heifer and the overall champion was Izzie Williams of Clommendy, Llangain with her British Blues.
"Yes, the numbers are down, because TB is always a massive issue but so too, is the six-day standstill," said Izzy's mother, Sian Williams. "Previously we could travel from show to show, but now we have to have six clear days before any animal can leave the farm after they've been out."
Also enjoying a successful season was Harry Davies, of Milton, who won the reserve champion Simmental cow.
Some of the show's successful horses included the Section A Champion, Crompwell Blue Emerald, shown by Catherine Owen of Blaenwaun, Whitland and the Welsh Mountain Pony Section A yearling and two and three year old class. Martin Davies and Beth Watts of Davies Brothers, Cockoo Mill Farm, Pelcomb Stud, Haverfordwest.
Meanwhile, horticulture secretary Libby Nicholas, described her displays as 'vibrant and exciting'.
"We've had a fantastic array of exhibits from all ages, but also right across the board from flowers to vegetables and from the kids' craft to cookery," she said.
"It takes a lot of time and commitment to do this, but the entries this year have been fantastic. We had no fewer than 15 Victorian sponges which is very difficult to judge after you've already judged 12 scones and the judges had just two hours to judge everything. But they went through everything in great detail to make it as fair as possible and they always leave smiling.
"And at the end of the day, that's what helps to make a good show."