'Grievous blow' as Royal Welsh Show cancelled for second year

The Royal Welsh Show, held annually in Llanelwedd, Powys, was due to take place between July 19 and 22 this year, but organisers believe current public health rules in Wales which ban large crowds from gathering will stretch into the summer.

The event is popular with those in Herefordshire's agricultural industry, but also the wider community, and is held less than an hour's drive from the county.

It was postponed last summer due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with the showground currently being used as a mass vaccination centre, and now the cancellation of the 2021 show has been dubbed a "grievous blow" for farming communities.

On Wednesday, organisers confirmed its 2021 event would also have to be shelved, along with its other annual events.

A statement from the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society said: “It is with deep regret that after careful consideration, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society is today announcing the cancellation of May’s Smallholding and Countryside Festival and the postponement of Clwyd’s Feature County Year and the Royal Welsh Show until 2022.

“Our team continues to work in partnership with the Welsh Government and Public Health Wales to ensure the event sector has a strong voice, however current restrictions, as set out in the coronavirus control plan and the various alert levels mean that it is impossible to hold large events this summer.”

The society said any restrictions on crowd numbers and social distancing were “major barriers to the viability of events”.

It said it would explore whether smaller events could be held during the summer, subject to Covid-19 regulations in place at the time.

The society’s chief executive Steve Hughson said: “Our events are central to the rural economy and way of life and mean so much to members, exhibitors, traders and visitors and we fully understand the responsibility on all of us to ensure we deliver our events as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Reacting to the news, Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate for Brecon and Radnorshire William Powell said: “This will come as a grievous blow to many in the farming community across Wales.

“The Royal Welsh Show is an opportunity to showcase the best of Welsh farming to the world. Many businesses rely on the show for a significant part of their income and to lose this two years in a row will add yet more pressure to those who are already struggling."

Kirsty Williams MS said the cancellation was disappointing, but praised the society for their work with the coronavirus vaccination programme

Kirsty Williams, Welsh Liberal Democrat Brecon and Radnorshire MS, said: “The Royal Welsh Show is a huge part of the annual calendar for Llanelwedd, Builth Wells and communities across Brecon and Radnorshire.

“Today’s announcement is the right and sensible decision given the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, it will be a terrible blow for our rural economy, for many farmers and food producers, and our events, hospitality and tourism sectors.

“Whilst this is disappointing news, I want to thank the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society for the important role they are playing in the Covid-19 vaccination programme and the use of the Royal Welsh Showground as a mass vaccination centre.”