Farming

Thousands of visitors flocked to the Royal Welsh Winter Fair

Published

5 months ago

November 27, 2025

Two days of celebration, competition and festive atmosphere this week

THOUSANDS of visitors flocked to the Royal Welsh Winter Fair for two days of celebration, competition and festive atmosphere this week.

First staged in 1990, the annual event was held at the showground in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells on Monday and Tuesday and has become one of the most popular attractions in the British agricultural calendar.

The fair continues to maintain its position as one of the finest primestock shows in the UK, this year attracting nearly 700 exhibitors from across the UK.

**The bustling Food Hall at the Winter Fair**

The choice of father and son duo, Ieuan and Sion Edwards of the esteemed Edwards of Conwy butchery family, to officially open the event fitted within this year’s educational theme of ‘Our Food / Ein Bwyd’.

In his opening speech, master butcher Ieuan reflected on the Winter Fair’s importance to the industry. Speaking candidly about the challenges and opportunities facing food production, he highlighted the crucial role of farmers in feeding a growing global population.

He noted the pressures facing the industry but also its remarkable resilience, emphasising the importance of creating an environment where farmers can produce high-quality, sustainable and affordable food.

***Ieuan and Sion Edwards, of Edwards of Conwy, officially open the Winter Fair***

Ieuan also shared how deeply the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society has shaped his professional and personal journey, recalling highlights such as winning the Sir Bryner Jones Award in 2013 and decades of involvement at the fair.

Sion continued the address with an optimistic view of the industry’s future. He also acknowledged the changing landscape of food production, emphasising the importance of ensuring the next generation can thrive.

“To meet the challenges ahead, our industry must be economically viable and function in an efficient and sustainable manner,” he said. “The future will look different, but the importance of what we do remains the same.”

Sion quoted the writer and Harvard University professor, Michael Pollan, saying: “Food is not just fuel. Food is about family, food is about community, food is about identity. And we nourish all those things when we eat well.”

Notable achievements within the agricultural community were celebrated. John Owen, the 2025 Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) president for featured county Caernarfonshire, presented the John Gittins Memorial Award to Kevin Parry, Powys, the Oxford Farming Conference Bursary to Eiry Wiliams, Ceredigion and the RWAS Nuffield Farming Scholarship to Tudor Roderick, Powys.

The inaugural Dai Jones Llanilar Memorial Award was presented to Elen Gwen Williams from Anglesey. Elen will now have the exciting opportunity to develop an original idea for broadcast on S4C.

Education played a central role at this year’s fair, with more than 2,000 schoolchildren and students attending across the two days. They made the most of free entry for organised primary and secondary school visits, along with reduced rates for further and higher education groups.

This year’s theme, Ein Bwyd / Our Food, provided a dynamic learning experience. Year six workshops delivered by food wholesaler Castell Howell, broadcaster Myfanwy Alexander and The Big Science Project helped deepen pupils’ understanding of where their food comes from and how it is produced, with live cooking demonstrations and interactive sessions bringing the message to life.

Rhys Jones, founder of Cattle Strength Gym, Lampeter, presented certificates to participating schools and spoke about the importance of healthy eating and exercising.

A former rugby professional, Rhys established his farm-based gym in 2015 following a family loss and has since combined his passion for fitness and farming to raise awareness of mental health in agriculture.

The fair is an important platform for policy discussion and debate, with Welsh and UK Government Minister in attendance, together with representatives from the German and Irish Embassies.

Discussions were held between highly influential individuals and organisations that impact the future of Welsh agriculture and the rural economy. The Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) breakfast was addressed by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, MS.

Livestock competitions remained at the heart of the event, with excellent support from exhibitors. There were record numbers in the pig section, the second-highest number of lamb carcass entries and sheep classes at full capacity.

The supreme cattle champion – one of the most prestigious accolades of the Winter Fair – was awarded to ‘Glangdwen Velvet’, a pedigree Limousin heifer weighing 598kg, bred by C. L. & F. E. Jerman and exhibited by Edwards Brothers of Denbighshire. The heifer sold for £27,000, a record price for the event.

The sheep supreme champion award went to a pair of Dutch Texel lambs, both bred and exhibited by Tirion Griffiths of Corwen.

The Pig Supreme Champion (Single) title was awarded to a Welsh cross Pietrain bacon pig exhibited by Teulu Jenkins of Newcastle Emlyn. In the pairs section, the was claimed by Mark Horsley from East Yorkshire with his Pietrain-cross bacon pigs.

The Supreme Horse Champion title was awarded to ‘Llanmorlais Buster’, a Section D yearling colt exhibited by Mark Swistun, Swansea. The Welsh Horse Champion was a Section B yearling colt exhibited by Josh Hampson, West Yorkshire and owned by Alison Wright.

Building on the hugely popular Heavy Horse Village, first introduced by Caernarfon’s Ambassador Rhys Griffith at this year’s Royal Welsh Show, a dedicated area in the Farriery Pavilion showcased magnificent horses alongside the nearby Hound Show.

Elsewhere on the showground, winner of the Best Overall Tradestand Award went to Shearwell Data.

There were more than 370 trade stands, along with more than 80 additional stands in the Food Hall and street food area, where guests were able to sample a wide range of produce from across Wales. Best Food Hall Tradestand was Mountainview Ice Cream from Carmarthenshire.

The Gwledd | Feast Welsh food and drink village offered a vibrant mix of live entertainment and delicious Welsh street food. Performances included the Welsh Whisperer, Parti Camddwr and 50 Shêds o Santa Clos, as well as local schools and choirs.

Headline event sponsors were Welsh Government, HSBC and Dunbia.

Honorary Winter Fair director, William Hanks said: “We’ve been thrilled to welcome such high visitor numbers to this year’s Winter Fair, which once again delivered a wonderful festive atmosphere across the whole showground.

“From exceptional live music and outstanding food and drink to the superb standard of entries across all sections, the event truly showcased the very best of Welsh agriculture and rural life.

“We are deeply grateful for the hard work and dedication of our volunteers, stewards, traders, sponsors and, of course, the visitors who make this event possible. The RWAS is immensely proud of what has been achieved this year and we are committed to building on this success to make next year’s Winter Fair even better.”

Other top results were: Baby Beef Supreme Champion, ‘Pretty Little Thing’, a 318kg Continental heifer bred and exhibited by D E & S. J. Cheacker, Gloucester which sold for £4,400.

Sheep: Single Carcass Supreme Champion, a Beltex, bred by Ben Moralee and exhibited by Swinnerton & Hamplett, Shropshire which sold for £1,600. Carcass Supreme Champion Pair, Beltex cross lambs bred and exhibited by T. G. & E. A. Jones, Lampeter which sold for £ 900 each. Champion Single Carcass bred in Wales, a Beltex cross bred and the White Hart, Llandeilo. Champion Pair of Carcasses bred in Wales, Beltex cross lambs, bred and exhibited by TG & EA Jones which sold for £400 each.

Overall Meat Hamper Champion, ‘Showcase of Welsh Meat’, exhibited by Wild Welsh Meat T/A Izzy’s Butchers, Powys which sold for £340. Dressed poultry champion, a16.5lb turkey exhibited by Russel Gibbons, Ceredigion which sold for £450. Bacon, Burger and Sausage champion, sausages exhibited by Morgan’s Family Butchers, Builth Wells. Beef Rib champion, GCSE Butchers, Powys which sold for £180.

Cover image:

Supreme Horse Champion ‘Llanmorlais Buster’ exhibited by Mark Swistun of Swansea

Business

Development could be permitted on Llawhaden dairy farm

Published

13 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A RETROSPECTIVE call for amendments to a previously granted building and slurry lagoon at a 700 herd Pembrokeshire dairy farm has been submitted to county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Bill Ridge of Vaynor Farm Ltd, Bethesda seeks retrospective permission for a replacement agricultural building for cattle housing, the retention of a slurry lagoon as built and associated works at Talybont Farm, Llawhaden.

A supporting statement through agent Cynllunio RW Planning Ltd said: “Bill Ridge farms at Vaynor Farm, trading as Vaynor Farm Ltd. The farm is a 645-acre farm compromising of owned and rented land, this supports a dairy herd of circa 700 cows. The dairy system is an extensive grass-based spring calving system.

“The application is made following receipt of a letter from the local authority planning enforcement department stating that the replacement agricultural building which had recently been erected required planning permission and that the lagoon also recently built seemed not to be in line with the approved plans of [the 2022 application] recently approved on site for the lagoon.

“Therefore, this application seeks retrospective planning permission for the retention of the building as built and the lagoon as built.”

It said the 22.72 by 13.33-metre agricultural building “will house the farm’s dairy replacement heifers as a replacement to the previous building on site,” and the lagoon is of a similar size, depth and capacity to the previously approved one, other than slight changes in positioning and orientation, providing 4,500square metres of slurry storage, which in combination with the existing store of 6,900cubic meters at Vaynor will provide over 170 days’ storage.

It went on to say: “All development is reasonably required for the purpose of agriculture. The applicant does not intend to increase the farm’s stocking rate as a result of this development.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

Business

Southern Roots Organics Felindre Farchog house plan approved

Published

6 days ago

April 24, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS for a rural enterprise dwelling to support a Pembrokeshire horticultural business which supplies its produce to “some of the best restaurants in Wales” have been approved despite concerns from the local community council.

In an application recommended for approval at the April 22 meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee, Southern Roots Organics/Awen Organics, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, sought permission for a rural enterprise dwelling, track extension, and associated works at Eithin Farm, Felindre Farchog, near Nevern.

This application was presented to the Development Management Committee as local community council Nevern had objected to the application raising material planning matters, contrary to the officer recommendation for approval.

An officer report says Eithin Farm comprises about 25 acres of agricultural land, with an additional seven acres to be rented by the applicants; the applicants running a horticultural business from the site, using multiple polytunnels and employing irrigation systems which require careful management.

The report says the business has been trading for over three years and can support a full-time worker, meeting criteria which addresses planning for sustainable rural communities. The proposal is said to meet these requirements, and the officer’s report confirms a genuine need for the dwelling.

Nevern, in its objection, said: “The living accommodation is supposed to be part of the business, it needs to be closer to the sheds, making the whole enterprise more aesthetically pleasing. The area designated for future seasonal agricultural workers would be an areas that would be more appropriate for a traditional cottage. A restriction on the house, a tied house needs to be considered.”

Objections to the plan have also been received from members of the public raising concerns including foul water disposal and the application “has nothing to do with the new current business”.

However, a number of representations have expressed support for the application. Issues raised include the benefit of applicants living on site, helping to reduce travel and carbon emissions, and confirming support for local, small-scale horticulture, and the contribution the business makes to the community.

The report said there is an identified need for a rural worker’s dwelling, especially due to the need to quickly respond to changes in crop conditions and potential failures in irrigation or ventilation systems, the proposal “considered to be acceptable and a recommendation to grant permission is made”.

Speaking at the meeting, Adam and Dee of Southern Roots Organics/Awen Organics said the business employed 14 workers, including themselves, “supplying some of the best restaurants in Wales,” with thousands of trees planted, the business also having been shortlisted for an organic farm award.

Members heard they currently had a 20-minute commute to the site from Cilgerran, often starting work at 5.30am and working through to as late as 10pm.

Members also heard that alternative locations, as favoured by Nevern Community Council, would lead to the loss of apple trees in an orchard.

Members backed the officer recommendation, committee member John Hogg praising the applicants on their achievements.

Climate

Bid to turn Maidenwells field into garden is approved

Published

7 days ago

April 23, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to change Pembrokeshire farmland to a garden and wildflower meadow has been given the go-ahead despite it falling under a condition restricting the loss of such agricultural land.

In an application recommended for approval at the April 21 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Peter Jones sought permission for a change of use from agricultural land to garden, vegetable growing area and wildflower meadow/grove at Old Furzton Cottage, Maidenwells, near Pembroke.

The application was before committee members rather than being decided by officers under delegated powers as it was contrary to a policy of the development plan but was being recommended for approval.

An officer report for committee members said: “The proposal is for the change of use of the land to enable the agricultural field to be used for domestic purposes in conjunction with the dwelling known as Old Furzton Cottage. The land subject to this application is located outside of the curtilage of Old Furzton Cottage.

“Justification has been provided with the application to explain that the occupiers of the dwelling have a desire for a larger garden area to provide additional space for growing of fruit, salad and vegetables, tree planting and wildflower planting.”

One potential sticking point was the proposed site, some 0.4ha of land, falling into a Grade 3a agricultural land classification, defined as Best and Most Versatile (BMV) land, which has tight planning controls against its potential loss.

The report added: “The use of the land at present is for agricultural purposes including making of hay and grazing of livestock, as such the land is underused for agricultural purposes. The development subject to this application would enable some agricultural use to continue, with the production of food from the site.

“Further to this there would be a net benefit to green infrastructure and biodiversity on the site. For these reasons there is justification for the small loss of BMV land.”

At the meeting, committee chair Cllr Mark Carter read out a submission form the applicant, who was unable to attend the meeting, saying the land had been purchased from Pembrokeshire County Council with the intention of creating a low-intensity and environmentally sustainable form of development.

Local member Cllr Steve Alderman said his first concern had been the loss of the BMV land, but pointed out the proposal would offer “massive biodiversity increases,” moving approval.

Members unanimously backed approval of the scheme.