Thousands of farmers, exhibitors and families from Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion are expected to travel to Llanelwedd as Wales’s biggest agricultural event opens on Monday

THE ROYAL WELSH SHOW returns on Monday, with visitors from across west Wales preparing to make the journey to Llanelwedd for four days of livestock competitions, rural displays, shopping and entertainment.

The 2026 show runs from Monday, July 20, until Thursday, July 23, at the Royal Welsh Showground, near Builth Wells.

Regarded as one of the highlights of the British agricultural calendar, the event brings together farmers, rural businesses, politicians, charities and families from throughout Wales.

The sprawling showground will host thousands of competitions, hundreds of trade stands and a packed programme of displays, demonstrations, food, crafts and live entertainment.

Allow extra time for the journey

Motorists travelling from Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion are being advised to leave plenty of time for their journey.

Heavy traffic is expected around Builth Wells throughout the week, particularly during the morning arrival period and as visitors leave during the late afternoon.

The showground is situated at Llanelwedd, close to the junction of the A470 and A483.

Drivers are advised to follow the temporary yellow “Show” signs rather than relying entirely on satnav directions. The traffic arrangements are designed to direct vehicles towards the correct car parks depending on the route being used.

Those travelling from west Wales should also check for roadworks, delays and traffic incidents before leaving home.

Free park-and-ride available

There is no general free parking on the showground itself during the Royal Welsh Show.

Instead, free satellite park-and-ride sites will operate on the main routes into Builth Wells. Drivers will be directed to the appropriate site depending on the direction from which they arrive.

Free shuttle buses will carry visitors between the satellite car parks and the showground throughout the day and into the evening.

The buses are suitable for wheelchair users, while forward parking spaces are available at the satellite sites for Blue Badge holders.

Visitors are advised to make a note of the name, colour or symbol of their car park before boarding the shuttle bus, particularly after a long day at the show.

Travelling by train

Visitors hoping to avoid the traffic can travel to Builth Road railway station on the Heart of Wales line.

The station is just over a mile from the showground, with shuttle buses operating between the station and the show throughout the week.

Passengers should check train times carefully before travelling, particularly for the return journey, as services on the Heart of Wales line can be limited.

TrawsCymru bus services also stop in Builth Wells and Llanelwedd.

What is happening on Monday?

The opening day will feature livestock and equine competitions, forestry demonstrations, rural crafts, food and drink, agricultural machinery and activities across the showground.

Among this year’s attractions is the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir, formed to help raise awareness of mental health within the farming community. The choir is due to perform in the Main Ring on Monday afternoon.

The RAF Falcons parachute display team is also scheduled to appear during the show, subject to weather and operational conditions.

Other attractions include the Shetland Pony Grand National, birds of prey displays, sheepdog demonstrations, carriage driving, heavy horses and military displays.

Wood-chopping competitions and pole-climbing demonstrations will take place in the forestry section, while the Main Ring will host a changing programme of entertainment and competition throughout the day.

Visitors can download the bilingual Royal Welsh Show app, which includes an interactive map, competition results, traffic information, weather updates and safety advice.

Prepare for a long day outdoors

Visitors should check the latest weather forecast before setting off and come prepared for changing conditions.

Sunscreen, hats and refillable water bottles are recommended during warm weather, while waterproof clothing may still be useful if conditions change.

Comfortable footwear is essential. The showground is extensive and most visitors will spend several hours walking between livestock areas, the Main Ring, food halls, agricultural displays and trade stands.

Families should also consider agreeing on a meeting point in case members of their group become separated.

Accessibility and family facilities

Accessible entrances and facilities are available around the showground.

Wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be hired through Event Mobility, although advance booking may be advisable because of the size and popularity of the event.

Assistance dogs are permitted in most areas of the showground, but restrictions may apply inside buildings containing livestock or horses.

Identification wristbands for children are available from family facilities and information points. Parents and guardians can write their telephone number on the band in case a child becomes separated from their group.

Police activity near campsite

Visitors travelling to the show may notice a continued police presence around Penmaenau Farm following the sudden death of a 25-year-old man on Saturday night.

Dyfed-Powys Police attended a report of a medical emergency at the farm at around 10.30pm on Saturday, July 18.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

Three men were arrested on suspicion of drug-related offences and remained in custody while police enquiries continued.

The police activity is not expected to prevent the Royal Welsh Show from opening as planned.

The Royal Welsh Show begins on Monday, July 20, and continues until Thursday, July 23.

Pictures: Royal Welsh Agricultural Society

Live music, stalls, refreshments and children’s entertainment will fill Haverfordwest High School this August

FAMILIES from across Pembrokeshire are being invited to enjoy an afternoon of music and entertainment at a special fundraising event in Haverfordwest.

The Maisie Moo Foundation Family Funday will take place at Haverfordwest High School on Saturday, August 8, from 12pm until 5pm.

The Pembrokeshire charity supports families whose children have been diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. It provides financial help towards medical expenses, specialist equipment and the cost of travelling to hospital appointments and treatment.

Live entertainment will include a performance by 3 Man Jam from 12pm until 2pm, followed by Tom and Abz at 2.30pm.

Visitors will also be able to browse a variety of stalls, enjoy food and refreshments and take part in raffles.

Entertainment for younger visitors will include a magician and bouncy castles, with one of the inflatable attractions being provided free of charge.

Organisers are hoping the event will bring the community together for an enjoyable summer afternoon while raising awareness and support for the foundation’s work with families throughout Pembrokeshire.

Admission costs £3 per person, with a discounted family ticket for four people available for £10.

The event runs from 12pm to 5pm at Haverfordwest High School on Saturday, August 8.

Incoming Prime Minister pledges to move power out of Westminster and deliver growth in every postcode, but questions remain over funding, devolution and what his new government will mean for Pembrokeshire

ANDY BURNHAM is preparing to enter Downing Street on Monday as Britain’s new Prime Minister, beginning another chapter of political change at Westminster.

The former Mayor of Greater Manchester was formally elected leader of the Labour Party on Friday, receiving the support of 379 Labour MPs and 23 affiliated organisations.

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to tender his resignation to the King on Monday, before Mr Burnham is invited to Buckingham Palace and asked to form a government.

He will then travel to Downing Street, deliver his first address as Prime Minister and begin appointing his Cabinet.

Mr Burnham is expected to place the cost of living, regional inequality and the transfer of power away from Westminster at the heart of his administration.

His arrival will be watched closely in Wales, where political leaders, businesses and communities will want to know whether his promise to bring “good growth to every postcode” will extend to rural and coastal areas far from Britain’s largest cities.

For Pembrokeshire, the central question will be whether a change of Prime Minister produces tangible investment in energy, transport, public services and employment, or simply another change of leadership in London.

A promise to spread power

Mr Burnham has built much of his political identity around the argument that Britain is too centralised and that decisions affecting communities should not always be made in Westminster and Whitehall.

He has promised to transfer power to nations, regions and local communities, describing Westminster as a system which has failed too many parts of the country.

However, his proposals for Wales have already created questions about where any additional powers would go.

During a major speech in June, Mr Burnham said he would offer new opportunities to extend devolution in Wales. He suggested that this could mean moving decision-making closer to councils and communities, rather than simply transferring additional responsibilities from Westminster to the Senedd.

That distinction could become one of the first significant points of debate between the new Prime Minister and the Welsh Government.

First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth has said Wales needs fairer funding and parity of powers with Scotland, while Welsh Labour figures have welcomed the principle of bringing decision-making closer to local communities.

Opposition parties have also called for clarity over whether Mr Burnham intends to devolve control over areas including rail infrastructure, the Crown Estate, taxation and borrowing.

What will change for Pembrokeshire?

In west Wales, the new government is likely to be judged less by its political slogans and more by whether people see improvements in their everyday lives.

Pembrokeshire’s energy industry will be among the most important issues.

The Milford Haven Waterway remains central to Britain’s energy infrastructure, while the transition towards renewable energy and floating offshore wind could determine the future of thousands of jobs across the region.

Local businesses and workers will want clear commitments on port infrastructure, grid capacity, skills, investment and the protection of well-paid industrial employment.

Transport will present another test.

Long rail journeys, limited services and poor connections continue to make it harder for residents and businesses in west Wales to access opportunities elsewhere in the country.

If Mr Burnham intends to build his premiership around reducing regional inequality, campaigners will argue that investment cannot stop in Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff or Swansea.

The particular pressures facing rural communities will also require attention.

Many households in Pembrokeshire are heavily dependent on cars, face higher transport costs and have limited access to public services. Rising food, energy and housing costs can be particularly severe in communities where wages remain below the UK average.

The future of tourism, agriculture, fishing and small businesses will also depend on decisions made by the new government on taxation, employment rules, energy prices and support for regional economies.

Cost of living to be early priority

Mr Burnham’s allies have indicated that helping households with the cost of living will be one of his immediate priorities.

He is expected to scrap the government’s planned digital identity scheme and redirect attention and resources towards household finances.

Measures to reduce energy bills and transport costs are also reportedly being considered, although the full details of his programme are unlikely to become clear until he has appointed his Cabinet and addressed Parliament.

Mr Burnham has indicated that he will broadly retain Labour’s commitment not to increase income tax, National Insurance or VAT.

However, he will inherit significant financial pressures across the NHS, social care, defence, local government and public infrastructure.

Those pressures could make it difficult to deliver major improvements without additional borrowing, spending reductions or changes elsewhere in the tax system.

No immediate general election expected

Mr Burnham will become Prime Minister without a general election, as the Labour Party continues to hold a majority in the House of Commons following its 2024 election victory.

Under Britain’s parliamentary system, a governing party can replace its leader without immediately returning to the electorate.

Opposition parties are nevertheless expected to demand an early general election, arguing that Mr Burnham should seek a personal mandate for any substantial change in government policy.

The incoming Labour leader has so far indicated that political stability is needed and that he does not intend to call an immediate election.

He will become the sixth person to serve as Prime Minister in a decade, inheriting a country facing stretched public services, economic uncertainty and growing public frustration with Westminster politics.

Wales will expect more than warm words

Mr Burnham enters office presenting himself as a champion of places which have been overlooked by successive governments.

His record in Greater Manchester means expectations will be high, particularly among communities which believe economic investment and political attention have been concentrated elsewhere.

But governing for the whole of the United Kingdom will require him to demonstrate that his regional agenda can work beyond England’s major metropolitan areas.

For Wales, that will mean resolving questions about funding, constitutional powers, rail infrastructure and the relationship between Westminster, the Senedd and local councils.

For Pembrokeshire, it will mean showing that promises of growth, investment and decentralisation can reach communities at the western edge of the country.

The names and faces inside Downing Street may be changing once again.

The test for Andy Burnham will be whether anything changes outside it.