AUGUST is once again upon us and all over Wales, rural communities are busy preparing for their local agricultural shows.
It gives me great pleasure as the 2024 Show president to welcome you to the Vale of Glamorgan Agricultural Show.
– Llewellyn Price.
I am glad to be part of what is a magnificent one-day show thanks to the efforts of the board of directors, committee members and section stewards. The Show director John Hanks, chairman Clive Thomas, David Harris and general secretary Sarah Fenner continue to lead our volunteer workforce in preparing the show ground and – importantly – clearing up afterwards.
Volunteers are the backbone of the show and their efforts are vital. Maendy YFC members are still essential to the show and this can lead to a lifelong interest. My involvement with the show began over 60 years ago when, with other members of the Young Farmers Club, we helped set up the show ground. The show used to look rather different then, with cars parked around the main ring and even a grandstand on the village side.
The show remains a marvellous way to bring together town and country and to show all our visitors the very best of agriculture in the Vale of Glamorgan. We must thank our sponsors and supporters; their contributions are greatly appreciated. We are grateful to our exhibitors and of course all our visitors. This support is so important to the financial viability of the show going forward. It becomes a more expensive production to organise each year.
Finally, it is a great honour and privilege to be asked to be president of the Vale of Glamorgan Show for 2024 and I look forward to seeing you at the showground and hope you and the society have a wonderful day.
This year’s event is held on Wednesday 7th August 2024
A Vale Show welcome from the chairman – Clive Thomas
ON behalf of the show committee, I would like to invite you all to Penllyn for the 2024 Vale of Glamorgan Agricultural Show.
We are delighted to welcome this year’s president, Mr Llewellyn Price and his wife Beryl. The Price family have been long standing supporters of the Show and spend a lot of time, both before and after Show day, at the site. We all hope that they have an enjoyable day.
This year’s show has something for everyone – cattle, sheep, horses, dogs, home produce, crafts and children`s competitions. There are over 250 trade stands to enjoy, and also our ever-popular Food Court and Horticultural Show, as usual featuring some very large vegetables.
Once again the local Young Farmers will put on a demonstration in the main ring with some very large machinery, both modern and old. Following this will be the Grand Parade of prize-winning animals. This year’s main ring entertainment is the ‘Lamb National’ which will be a real spectacle. Finally we have the ever popular Hunt Scurry to conclude a packed day of entertainment.
Our thanks must go to the Llewellyn and Homfray families for the use of their land and to the judges, stewards and competitors for giving up their valuable time to make the show possible. Finally, my own thanks go to the committee for all their support, in particular our hard-working General Secretary, Sarah Fenner, Show Director John Hanks, Mr David Harris and Mr Jonathan Davies. Hopefully the weather will be kind and you all have an enjoyable day at the show.
Dog Show is always popular
IT is time for the Vale of Glamorgan Agricultural Show and a popular part of the show is the dog section.
The dog section committee are looking forward to one again welcoming both exhibitors and spectators. Over the years this is one of the most visited events on the showground and is busy all day. It is a family event with many questions being asked of the experts – all of whom are approachable and pleased to help with your dog related questions in any way they can.
The show caters for all breeds of pedigree dogs, giving people the opportunity to see their favourite breeds in each of the seven groups namely Hounds, Terriers, Working, Utility, Toys, Pastoral and Gundogs.
The venue for the event is in one of the charming areas of the Vale of Glamorgan, namely Penllyn Estate. The dog show is one of the best one day shows in Wales and has the interest of exhibitors near and far, with many travelling long distances to participate. Our judges once again are of the very highest calibre and visitors find it fascinating to watch them choose the winners.
This year there will be a new look to the dog section with a gazebo village replacing the marquees and this should all add to ambience of a festival event.
There is always a warm welcome at this show for everyone so please come and pay us a visit. We look forward to meeting you and I am sure you will have an interesting, exciting day out.
Show jumping is a highlight
SHOW jumping at the Vale of Glamorgan Agricultural Show this year will see top riders competing for top prizes, which includes an exciting ‘Horse of the Year Show’ qualifier.
place during the show.
Competitors will be coming from across the UK to compete at this show, including Wales’s number one show jumper who also competes internationally for Great Britain, Glamorgan born and based Mark Edwards, who will be competing in the 1.40m Open and in many throughout the day with several horses.
Thanks to our generous sponsors for the continued support. This year’s show will be very exciting and is not one to be missed at Penllyn Castle Park.
The show jumping ring can be viewed by all throughout the day and will add to the great atmosphere of the show.
Huge variety in the Countryside Marquee
THE local countryside is full of wonderful plants, birds and animals, both domesticated and wild, so come and step into our world at the Countryside Marquee hosted by Glamorgan Smallholders, when you visit The Vale Show.
Rare vintage tractors from the Tractor Boys of Aberthin will lead you inside the marquee where you can get close-up with some of our rare-breed sheep, lambs and goats. Here you will be able to see how their bi-product, wool, can be spun into yarn with the Glamorgan Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers.
For the sheep connoisseurs among you, take a peak at our ever-growing ‘Sock Project’ which showcases just how many different breeds of sheep we have in Glamorgan, Can you guess which sock comes from which sheep just by feel? If you like to knit or spin we would love you to get involved.
They do say that ‘eggs is eggs’ but are they? We are laying on a little bit of chicken and egg fun including the much-loved ‘egg hunt’ and ‘know your eggs’. You may even get to meet some of the chicks.
If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at milking a life-sized cow then this could be your chance with Abi Reader’s ‘Cows on Tour’ milking cow (this one doesn’t kick, she’s a bit too wooden for that).
The countryside provides us with many products we can use to create useful objects and even works of art. The Rebel basket makers from the Vale of Glamorgan will be in our marquee to demonstrate their beautiful craft, a golden opportunity for you to learn a new skill and hobby.
There is a wealth of wild animal and bird life in our countryside which we need to preserve for future generations, and some of these creatures are becoming rarer year by year, so there will be an opportunity to come and talk with a barn owl specialist from The Glamorgan Barn Owl Group about how we can all help preserve these wonderful birds. We are also hoping you will be able to learn more about how to protect and save a charming but spikey little hedgerow mammal, the hedgehog.
Talking of future generations, we will have several activities for children. You can sit and watch while your child is turned into a tiger, mouse or dog by Ellie’s face painting skills, while The Rev Victoria and team from The Church in Wales will keep the young ones entertained with various table activities, giving you a well-earned break.
With rural crime rising, there will be a chance to talk with the Vale’s Rural Crime police officer and find out what you can do to protect your farm.
Finally, what does the future of farming and the countryside hold for us and how can you get involved? Come and talk with one of the Glamorgan Smallholders team or chat with the Wick Young Farmers and get involved in shaping the future of farming and our countryside.
Enjoy the best of home produce
THE Vale Show Home Produce Committee look forward to welcoming everyone to the marquee.
The Chairman’s Challenge is an ‘Afternoon Tea to celebrate 200 years of the RNLI’. Different sections are: Preserves, Cookery (with 16 classes), Flower Arranging, Craft, Art and the Children’s Section up to age 16. It’s a fantastic opportunity for individuals to showcase their talents combined with the fun that everyone has in taking part. The marquee is a great hub where people can meet up with friends and family.
This year our raffle will be supporting The Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Cardiff, tickets will be available in the marque on the day.
We would love to welcome any new entrants to take part this year. There are Chairman’s plates which are awarded in all the sections gaining the highest points. May I wish everyone taking part the best of luck and look forward to seeing you on the day.
Charlotte Thomas
Chairman Home Produce
Vale show craft fair
THIS is a fantastic opportunity to meet the makers, browse and purchase from unique small handmade businesses.
There wiil be a wide variety of arts and crafts stalls using different materials such as wood, textiles and glass. There is something for everyone including an opportunity for your beloved pet to have a portraits produced in glass or pencil.
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