Hot topics, hot competitions and hot weather made for another great Royal Welsh Show.

Despite soaring temperatures, the crowds once again converged in their thousands at the showground in Llanelwedd to celebrate the very best of Welsh and British agriculture at this year’s four-day Royal Welsh Show.

Speaking on the last day of the show, David Lewis, Chair of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s Council reflected on his slightly different experience of the event this year; “Having been involved with the show for over 40 years, and commentating on the cattle classes since 1974, it has been a very different event for me this year – I was bestowed the privilege of judging the coveted Team of Five competition, a huge honour and one which I did not take lightly.

“As always, the standard of the livestock here at the Royal Welsh is tremendous. Seeing the 15 groups of different breeds all lined up in the cattle ring was a sight to behold, I had no easy task picking the winners, but I have enjoyed every minute.”

It wasn’t only the four-days of non-stop competitions and entertainment which kept the show-goers happy this year. The society has spent a huge amount of time and resources investing in the showground.

The recent instillation of a permanent phone mast, along with other temporary masts and the popular WiFi hotspots throughout the site, ensured that network coverage and connectivity during the Royal Welsh Show was excellent.

“The Royal Welsh Showground is fast becoming one of the best connected rural event sites in Wales and we are very pleased that these latest improvements has ensured that we not only have superfast broadband, but no also have 4G phone signal onsite all year round.” said the society’s Chief Executive, Steve Hughson.

“Our showground is our single largest physical asset and it is important that it is maintained and improved to keep pace with our ambition to attract new business, increase efficiency, improve our events and keep our visitors happy.”

The recent developments on site have also included lots of work in connection with the current equine project. These have included better quality, larger hired in stables, and increased number of stables on site and at Wern Fawr ensuring there is no longer a waiting list. We have also created a larger display area, newly levelled parking areas, a new covered horse shower and installed new permanent lighting and CCTV.

“In addition to the major projects, we also have ongoing plans to improve drainage, place electricity underground and generally improve our infrastructure” added Steve.

The success of the show is renowned around the world with coverage of the show live-streamed internationally throughout the four-days. Nearly 1000 visitors registered at the International Pavilion from over 30 different countries from as far afield as Australia, USA, Russia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and India, to name just a few.

The Royal Welsh Show continues to attract large numbers of business and political leaders, all eager to use the show as a place to meet and do business. This year has been no exception with the the society proudly providing an international platform from which it will play an instrumental role in formulating the future of the Welsh, and British, agricultural sector.