HOT weather protocols have been introduced for next week’s Royal Welsh Show, which is set to attract many thousands of visitors to Mid Wales during the heatwave.
The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) is taking additional precautions and working with partners to mitigate the heat risks and improve the safety of people and animals during the four-day show, which begins on Monday, July 18.
To safeguard people visiting, exhibiting and working at the event, the RWAS has introduced the following:
- additional water resources will be available for both livestock and people;
- temporary charcoal barbeques will be banned on all sites due to fire risk;
- visitors are being reminded to wear sunscreen and a sunhat and to bring a water bottle to make use of our many water refill points around the showground to keep hydrated;
- additional undercover seating areas have been created for visitors to have a rest in the shade next to the Horticulture Marquee and within the council area.
- dress codes for officials and competitors are being relaxed as required.
Dogs are not allowed on site – except for assistance dogs – and must not be left in cars.
Additional safety measures are being put in place in collaboration with Builth Wells Safety Advisory Group. Everyone visiting the show is urged to follow Public Health Wales advice.
Numerous provisions are also being made within the livestock section. Additional water will be available and fans have been installed in all the livestock buildings with new, upgraded fans in the most vulnerable areas.
Arrival times for livestock have been amended to welcome stock in the early morning and late evenings, to avoid queues at the hottest times of the day.
RWAS vets will be on call during the set up and duration of the event, with stewards also on hand to help with any issues that may occur.
Temperatures in the livestock buildings will be monitored continuously to support real-time decisions. Consideration will also be given to class timings, which can be changed if necessary.
The RWAS says it’s working in partnership with the Met Office, Dŵr Cymru, Public Health Wales, Chief Veterinary Officer, local authority and all blue light services to ensure that the show is a great success, despite the predicted weather.
