As the grey skies cleared, the crowd numbers soared when thousands of exhibitors and visitors flocked to a record-breaking Pembroke Town and Country Show in Lamphey.
And as the gates continued to admit people well into the afternoon, show treasurer Edward Morris confirmed that Lamphey Show 2024 has beaten all records.
“This year has seen a record number of people, and the weather has most certainly been in our favour,” Mr Morris told Pure West Radio.
“So much effort goes into putting on a show of this standard and as it continues to increase in size, this naturally means that our preparation work has to start that much sooner.”
But it’s not just the visitor numbers that saw an increase in 2024.
“This year, the number of tradestands has grown significantly, with the result that we've been marking the site out since last Wednesday.
“But Lamphey Show still very much retains that country show appeal and when you view the truly magnificent backdrop that it’s set against, things couldn’t get better.”
Echoing Edward Morris’ comments was show chairman Robert John.
“We’ve introduced lots of new attractions this year, to showcase the great agricultural culture that we have here in Pembrokeshire,” he said.
“This year we’ve got sheep shearing, horseshoeing, an appearance from the alpacas and some pig classes, which we’ve never had at Lamphey Show up to now.
“Our ultimate aim is to pull together and put on an event that highlights our farming community and gives people an opportunity to have a fantastic family day out.”
Other events at the show included a large vintage vehicle display that included a magnificent lineup of classic cars and agricultural machinery, a dog show, the ever-popular 'quack pack' and a display by the Creselly Hunt.
But hand-in-hand with the rising visitor numbers was an exceptionally high standard of exhibitors. Some of this year’s sheep winners had hot-footed it from their recent successes at the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells while working hunter judge, Roger Evans from Llangolman, had nothing but praise for the overall standard in his classes.
“The quality of riding that I’ve seen today has been superb,” he said. “But I've also seen some excellent conformation of the horses and, of course, their overall performance in the ring has been superb.
“The riders I’ve seen today certainly haven’t disappointed.”
It was an in-hand part bred that took the supreme champion, shown by Matt McGivern of Manorbier while the reserve champion went to the leading rein pony shown by Caire Griffiths of Castlemorris.
The show, which was first established in 1817, was also an emotional day for president Anthony Davies, whose family has been an integral cog in its delivery for well over a century.
“My great grandfather, James Davies, was the show chairman way back in 1905 and I’ve been involved with it since the 1970s, either stewarding or showing as well as serving as its chairman,” Anthony told Pure West Radio.
“Seeing the way in which the Lamphey Show continues to attract both exhibitors and visitors is a sheer testimony to all the incredible work that’s being done here, year upon year.”
“But what gives me more hope than anything, is seeing the way in with the youth of Pembrokeshire are throwing their hearts into the show thanks to the YFC and everything which they are doing and achieving.
“These, after all, are the future of our agricultural community.”
Pembroke Town and Country Show beats all records
As the grey skies cleared, the crowd numbers soared when thousands of exhibitors and visitors flocked to a record-breaking Pembroke Town and Country Show in Lamphey.
And as the gates continued to admit people well into the afternoon, show treasurer Edward Morris confirmed that Lamphey Show 2024 has beaten all records.
“This year has seen a record number of people, and the weather has most certainly been in our favour,” Mr Morris told Pure West Radio.
“So much effort goes into putting on a show of this standard and as it continues to increase in size, this naturally means that our preparation work has to start that much sooner.”
But it’s not just the visitor numbers that saw an increase in 2024.
“This year, the number of tradestands has grown significantly, with the result that we've been marking the site out since last Wednesday.
“But Lamphey Show still very much retains that country show appeal and when you view the truly magnificent backdrop that it’s set against, things couldn’t get better.”
Echoing Edward Morris’ comments was show chairman Robert John.
“We’ve introduced lots of new attractions this year, to showcase the great agricultural culture that we have here in Pembrokeshire,” he said.
“This year we’ve got sheep shearing, horseshoeing, an appearance from the alpacas and some pig classes, which we’ve never had at Lamphey Show up to now.
“Our ultimate aim is to pull together and put on an event that highlights our farming community and gives people an opportunity to have a fantastic family day out.”
Other events at the show included a large vintage vehicle display that included a magnificent lineup of classic cars and agricultural machinery, a dog show, the ever-popular 'quack pack' and a display by the Creselly Hunt.
But hand-in-hand with the rising visitor numbers was an exceptionally high standard of exhibitors. Some of this year’s sheep winners had hot-footed it from their recent successes at the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells while working hunter judge, Roger Evans from Llangolman, had nothing but praise for the overall standard in his classes.
“The quality of riding that I’ve seen today has been superb,” he said. “But I've also seen some excellent conformation of the horses and, of course, their overall performance in the ring has been superb.
“The riders I’ve seen today certainly haven’t disappointed.”
It was an in-hand part bred that took the supreme champion, shown by Matt McGivern of Manorbier while the reserve champion went to the leading rein pony shown by Caire Griffiths of Castlemorris.
The show, which was first established in 1817, was also an emotional day for president Anthony Davies, whose family has been an integral cog in its delivery for well over a century.
“My great grandfather, James Davies, was the show chairman way back in 1905 and I’ve been involved with it since the 1970s, either stewarding or showing as well as serving as its chairman,” Anthony told Pure West Radio.
“Seeing the way in which the Lamphey Show continues to attract both exhibitors and visitors is a sheer testimony to all the incredible work that’s being done here, year upon year.”
“But what gives me more hope than anything, is seeing the way in with the youth of Pembrokeshire are throwing their hearts into the show thanks to the YFC and everything which they are doing and achieving.
“These, after all, are the future of our agricultural community.”