THE SMALLHOLDING and Countryside Festival returns to the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells on May 18 and 19.
The weekend event is a celebration of rural life with smallholding pursuits at its heart, showcasing the real diversity of the Welsh countryside.
Together with an array of display ring attractions, competitions, children’s activities, shopping trade stands, live music and delicious food and drink, the festival promises to be a fantastic day out for all.
Entries for livestock and equine competitions are now open and competitors can view the schedules and enter online at https://rwas.wales/smallholding-and-countryside-festival/competitions-festival/ .
With more than 600 livestock classes and special awards for sheep, pigs, goats and cattle, many of which are for traditional, rare and native breeds, there is an opportunity for everyone to get involved. Entries close on Wednesday, April 3.
The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) has announced that this year’s festival will host qualifiers for the British Show Horse Association (BSHA) Royal International Horse Show and Senior Showing and Dressage Ltd (SSADL), British Show Pony Society (BSPS) and British Show Horse Association (BSHA) London International Horse Show.
The event will again host the Premier Open Dog Show. Entries are now open for the 2025 Crufts Qualifier where rosettes, prizemoney and quality pet food are all up for grabs for the winning canines.
Postal entries close Tuesday, April 9 and online entries close Tuesday, April 30. Go to the FDS website https://www.fossedata.co.uk/shows/Royal-Welsh-Agricultural-Society-Ltd-May-2023.aspx to view the schedules and to enter.
The Smallholders Centre will continue to be the main port of call for those wanting to learn more about the smallholder’s way of life, with talks and demos from the Glamorgan Smallholders networking and support group. It’s also the ideal place to stock up on essentials from the agricultural trade stands.
The Country Life Area will feature the Premier Open Dog Show (Crufts 2025 Qualifier), Panic Family Circus, The Woodville Medieval Re-enactment Group, petting farm, donkey encounter, forestry competitions and sporting and countryside activities, all accompanied by live music from the bandstand.
The Festival Display Ring has a jam-packed bill of entertainment, including Dangerous Steve’s thrilling quad and motorbike stunt show, Paws for Thought Dog Display Team, show jumping and working hunter competitions, Scurry Driving and Meirion Owen and his sheepdogs.
Meirionnydd Shearing Centre will host wool handling and blade shearing competitions throughout the weekend, demonstrations from the Gwent Guild of Spinners and Weavers, a vintage shearing display and wool related trade stands.
Entries for the wool handling and blade shearing competitions are due to open in late March.
It wouldn’t be a Royal Welsh event without showcasing the best food and drink produce that Wales has to offer. There will be a chance to sample delicious goods in the renowned Food Hall and get a bite to eat at food stalls in the Welsh Food Village, Gwledd | Feast.
The Royal Welsh Showground is easily accessible from all routes and is located where the A470 and A483 cross at Builth Wells. This event is dog-friendly and has plenty of free onsite parking.
Tickets for the festival are available online. Early-bird adult tickets are £18, children’s tickets are £5 and there’s also a family ticket.
Discounted tickets are available for RWAS members until April 30.
https://rwas.wales/ for more information about the festival and to buy tickets.
