Farming

Thousands of visitors flocked to the Royal Welsh Winter Fair

Published

7 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

Farming

Reform calls for urgent review of farming scheme

Published

7 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

LOW UPTAKE HAS RAISED FRESH QUESTIONS OVER THE FUTURE OF SUPPORT FOR WELSH FARMERS

REFORM WALES has called for an urgent review of the Sustainable Farming Scheme after figures showed only around half of eligible farmers have signed up.

The party said the lower-than-expected uptake showed that serious concerns remained within the farming community over the complexity of the scheme, compliance rules and uncertainty about how it will operate in the long term.

Laura Anne Jones MS, Reform Wales’ Shadow Cabinet Minister for Food, Farming and Rural Affairs, raised the issue during questions to the Welsh Government.

She said: “The figures released by the Welsh Government today confirm what many farmers have been saying for some time: the Sustainable Farming Scheme is too complex, too restrictive and too bureaucratic.

“Farmers need certainty and security, not endless paperwork and rigid requirements that fail to reflect the realities of farming in Wales.

“Reform Wales believes the scheme should be reviewed as a matter of urgency, with a greater focus on flexibility, common sense and practical outcomes.

“Welsh farmers deserve a scheme that works with them, not against them.”

The Sustainable Farming Scheme is due to replace previous systems of agricultural support in Wales and has been one of the most contentious issues facing the rural sector.

Farming unions and campaigners have repeatedly warned that any new system must be practical for family farms and must not add unnecessary red tape at a time when many businesses are already under pressure from rising costs, bovine TB and market uncertainty.

Reform Wales said the Welsh Government must now explain how it intends to respond to the level of take-up and whether changes will be made before the scheme is fully rolled out.

Business

Holiday accommodation conversion of historic farm buildings approved

Published

21 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS to convert historic farm buildings near north Pembrokeshire’s Whitesands beach for use as holiday accommodation have been given the go-ahead, but their use doesn’t have to be restricted to just that purpose.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Matthew James of James Properties, through agent Harries Planning Design Management sought permission for the conversion of two derelict barns to two self-catering holiday accommodation units at Porthmawr Ganol, Whitesands, St Davids.

An officer report said: “The farmstead occupies a prominent position within a landscape characterised by open agricultural fields enclosed predominantly by traditional dry-stone walls, exposed coastal pasture and areas of heathland associated with Carn Llidi.”

It added: “The site lies within the Porthmawr Historic Landscape Character Area, an area recognised for its historic pattern of dispersed settlement, traditional farmsteads, dry-stone wall field boundaries and evidence of medieval and post-medieval agricultural activity.

“The retention and reuse of the existing buildings therefore has the potential to preserve an important element of the area’s historic landscape character whilst securing a viable long-term future for structures that would otherwise continue to deteriorate.”

It said that insufficient evidence had initially been submitted to demonstrate that the buildings were unsuitable for permanent residential conversion and only for self-catering accommodation and therefore an affordable housing contribution should be secured.

Policy would lead to a contribution of £36,400, the report said, but a financial viability assessment by the applicant “demonstrated that the development would not be viable if required to provide the full policy contribution,” the maximum contribution capable of being supported whilst maintaining viability was £12,641.

This reduced figure was accepted, the officer report saying: “Whilst this represents a reduced contribution when compared with the full policy requirement, the submitted viability evidence demonstrates that the development could not reasonably support the full contribution whilst remaining deliverable.

“In these circumstances, securing a reduced contribution is considered preferable to losing the opportunity to secure the restoration and beneficial reuse of the historic buildings.”

It stated that, with the affordable contribution, the scheme would not be limited to self-catering development only.

The application was conditionally approved by Park planners.

Crime

Farmers fined in bovine TB scandal face fresh court action

Published

3 days ago

June 10, 2026

Court Reporter

Hartt family members listed at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court over unpaid penalties linked to major cattle prosecution

TWO PEMBROKESHIRE farmers convicted in a major bovine tuberculosis-related cattle case are due back before the courts this week over unpaid financial penalties.

Henry Hartt, 66, of Ciffig, Whitland, and Edward William Henry Hartt, 48, of Llandewi Velfrey, are both listed to appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (June 11).

Court records show both men face proceedings relating to the non-payment of fines of £94,739.64 imposed on March 4, 2024. Separate applications to lodge committal warrants are also listed, relating to unpaid fines of £22,300 and £22,400 respectively.

The pair were among three members of the Hartt family sentenced at Swansea Crown Court in March 2024 following a major prosecution brought by Pembrokeshire County Council involving bovine TB controls.

The court heard that cattle known to have reacted to bovine tuberculosis tests were knowingly kept on-farm, while substitute animals were allegedly presented for slaughter instead.

At the time, Henry Hartt, Edward Hartt and Charles Hartt admitted a total of 12 cattle identification offences connected to Longford Farm, Clynderwen.

The case centred on failures to comply with bovine TB restrictions and cattle tracing rules designed to prevent the spread of the disease.

Each defendant was fined £24,000, while confiscation orders and prosecution costs running into hundreds of thousands of pounds were also imposed.

Thursday’s hearing is expected to deal with enforcement proceedings connected to the unpaid financial orders rather than the original criminal offences.

The Herald will be attending court.