Honoured to be ‘friendly show’ President

A man well known to the farming community across the Welsh border country has accepted an invitation to become President of Llanfyllin Show on August 10.

Gary Hughes (right), who runs the successful Oswestry-based agricultural engineering business Hughes Bros with his twin brother, Roy, has been attending the show as a trade exhibitor since 1975.

“It was a great honour to be asked to become President of Llanfyllin Show, which is well supported by the local community,” said Mr Hughes, whose wife, Brenda, is originally from Penybontfawr.

“I have always been made to feel welcome there and I am pleased to see that there are young people involved on the show committee because they represent the future.

To encourage more young people to get involved with show he is organising a President’s cocktail party instead of the traditional Sunday lunch.

The party will be held at Theatr Llwyn, Llanfyllin on Friday evening from 7.30pm, with entertainment provided by a steel band and local musician John Hughes. Tickets, cost £15 from show secretary Jill Hollinshead on Tel: 01691 828628 or Ann Park on Tel: 01691 654366, and include a welcome drink and a two course buffet by caterers Andrews of Meifod.

The show, which is held at Bodfach Park by permission of Simon and Maggie Baynes and Janet Jones, attracts around 4,000 visitors from far and wide. Fondly known as the ‘friendly show, it’s a popular meeting place for old friends who live away from the area.

Apart from being a superb showcase for the local agricultural community, the show is also an important tourist attraction.

Star attractions at this year’s action-packed event are the aerial acrobatic display team Above and Beyond and the 2013 All Wales Circuit Shearing Final. Newtown Silver Band will provide music in the Village Green entertainment area and the busy programme also includes a donkey derby, terrier racing, sheepdog trials, showjumping and gymkhana and displays by Tanatside Hounds and Mid Wales Vintage Machinery Club.

Classes for horses, sheep, goats, dogs, poultry, horticulture, floral art, cookery and crafts are always keenly contested and a fun fair and Punch and Judy show keep the children entertained.

Show schedules are available from secretary Jill Hollinshead on Tel: 01691 828628 and online at http://www.llanfyllinshow.co.uk.

PICTURE: Llanfyllin Show president Gary Hughes