​Greener, more modern Royal Welsh Show revealed at Senedd launch

An aerial view of the Royal Welsh Show.

​This year’s Royal Welsh Show will be greener and have a more modern outlook, an inaugural launch event at the Senedd was told yesterday (Wednesday).
 
Professor Wynne Jones, Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) Board chair, told the Cardiff Bay launch that Cardiff University has been commissioned to undertake an environmental sustainability review of this year’s event.
 
“We are a society built on traditional values, but with a firmly modern outlook,” he said. “That will be noticeable as you walk around the show this year.
 
“We are launching the brand-new Welsh Food Village, Gwledd/Feast with ample seating and a live entertainment stage. Within the new food village, we will be hosting a Big Bocs Bwyd pilot project.
 
“Big Bocs Bwyd operates ‘pay as you feel’ food banks, promoting healthy diets, growing vegetables and delivers cooking lessons at some 50 primary schools across Wales.
 
“We’re putting a big emphasis on becoming greener at this year’s show. Having switched our energy supply tariff, all the electricity on the showground is from 100% renewable sources. We’ve introduced a new green policy, banning the use of single use plastics.
 
“On the Tuesday of the show, we will be launching our new vision for horticulture as we prepare for a major re-vamp of the section in 2024.”
 
Now in its 102nd year and widely recognised as one of the world’s best agricultural events, the show attracts more than 200,000 visitors over four days and this year is being held from July 24-27 at Llanelwedd showground, Builth Wells
 
Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths said: “The Royal Welsh Show is the highlight of the agricultural calendar here in Wales and I am looking forward to seeing everyone in Llanelwedd again this year.
 
“There is much to look forward to, from the wonderful animals on show, to the array of competitions and the incredible amount of award-winning Welsh food and drink being showcased in the Food Hall.
 
“The show continues to go from strength to strength and I would like to wish Aled Rhys Jones all the very best in delivering his first summer show since being appointed as chief executive. I am sure it will be another major success.”
 
Funds raised by this year’s feature county, Glamorgan, will go towards two landmark projects - a Rural Leadership Programme and refurbishment of the South Glamorgan Hall.
 
“The Royal Welsh Show is one of our national beacons of excellence. We all feel an immense sense of love for and pride in it,” said John Homfray, show president.
 
For more information about what’s in store and to buy tickets go to the RWAS website https://rwas.ticketsrv.co.uk/tickets/ .