Spectacular stunts promised at Show

 

The Stampede Stunt Company is the star attraction at the popular show, giving two displays in the main ring on August 13. Renowned for fresh, original and innovative arena shows that are guaranteed to thrill the audience, the company’s team of performers are all from a performance background and the horses are trained to the highest standards.

 

The show crowd at Llanfyllin will be treated to jousting knights, trick riding and horse training demonstrations.

 

Other attractions at the show include a donkey derby provided by Stonehill Donkeys from Cockshutt, near Ellesmere and the ever-popular terrier racing.

 

Local ‘pop stars’ Richard Lewis, 18, from Llanfyllin, and Llion Vaughan, 17, from Llanrhaeadr, who won the Farmers’ Guardian Tractor Factor contest earlier this summer, will also entertain the crowd fresh from performing at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.

 

The teenagers recorded their winning song, Plough On, which is a parody of Rihanna’s hit S & M, with the help of friend Gus Harris, 17, at Green Hall Farm, Llanfyllin.

 

Another highlight of the 142^nd show will be the 2011 Royal Welsh Lamb Shearing Circuit Final, which brings together the 20 best sheep shearers in Wales in four different classes. The finalists qualify by collecting points from six of nine selected shows across Wales on the sheep shearing circuit.

 

Last year was the first time the final was not held at the Royal Welsh Showground at Llanelwedd, as sheep movement rules forced a change of venue.

 

Llanfyllin Show Committee made a significant investment in a mobile stand to host the contest, which attracted generous support from local businesses and proved a big success. Around 1,500 sheep were sheared at the show in the Royal Welsh and local shearing competitions during the day.

 

Making her debut in junior shearing competition will be Pam Simpson, 18, from North Lincolnshire, who claims to be the country’s youngest female sheep shearer and is sponsored by Lister.

 

Pam, who was interviewed on BBC’s Countryfile programme last weekend, will be travelling to Llanfyllin Show with experienced shearer Mike Hudson.

 

The largest event of its kind in the area, Llanfyllin’s annual showcase of the best of the countryside and town is fondly referred to as the “friendly show”, attracting around 3,000 visitors and competitors from across Wales and the border counties.

 

Set to continue after its successful introduction in 2009 is a ‘Village Green’, which will provide live music, Welsh folk dancing, entertainment and activities for families throughout the day. There will be music by local musician John Hughes, a 24-hour charity bike ride by Llanfyllin Young Farmers’ Club members, a Punch and Judy show, a funfair and a fairground organ.

 

Held at Bodfach Hall park, the show has two display rings to give the organisers more flexibility in scheduling events, with displays by Montgomeryshire Vintage Machinery Club, a parade of hounds by the Tanatside Hunt, a gymkhana horse jumping and sheepdog trials.

 

Terrier racing, a dog show, a new poultry section, busy horticultural and cookery sections and lots of interesting trade stands add to the show’s successful recipe.

 

In two of the more unusual competitions in the horticulture and agricultural produce section, prizes will be awarded for the oldest looking farm coat and longest thistle.

 

New joint sponsors of the children’s section are SPAR Llanfyllin and Mid Wales Housing and the winner of the best commercial stand will receive the Gareth and Mary Lewis Perpetual Cup.

 

The show is also continuing, by popular demand, a section for men to show off their cooking skills. Prizes await budding Jamie Olivers who make the best fruit crumble, cheese scones, pate and chocolate sandwich.

 

This year’s show chairman is Robert Jones, a beef and sheep farmer from Dolanog and president is businessman James Pickstock from Plas Dyffryn, Meifod.

 

The other show officials are: vice chairman Bethan Jones, secretary Jill Hollinshead and treasurer Anna Dann.  Section secretaries: sheep, Roland Davies; horticulture, Bethan Jones; cookery and crafts, Lynsey Lewis; floral art, Pam Morris; horses, Janet Owen; shearing, Dyfrig Jones; sheepdog trials, Huw Francis; goats, Ann Rhodes; dogs, Jenny Pickstock; trade stands, Ianto Jones and sponsorship, Peter Lewis.

 

For more information contact show secretary Jill Hollinshead on 01691 828628 or visit the show’s website at www.llanfyllinshow.co.uk.