New records set as Llanfyllin Show shines

New records were set for entries and attendance as the action-packed 2026 Llanfyllin Show was blessed with glorious sunshine on Saturday.

The “Friendly Show” lived up to its reputation, attracting more than 1,300 horticulture, cookery, crafts and floral art entries, 350 entries in the horses section, 520 sheep, 100 sheepdog trialists, 100 dog show entries and leading showjumpers and Welsh sheep shearers.

“The attendance and entries across the board were up on last year’s record-breaking show and the standard of competition was very high,” said chairman Rob Jones.

“The showjumping attracted high quality competitors who praised the show for preparing ideal ground for them and the sheepdog trials ran until 7.30pm on Saturday night with an international entry.

“The sheep section secretary said he had never seen so many sheep and people at the show by 10am and he had to add extra rows to accommodate the extra entries.

“We are obviously doing something right to keep attracting a record number of people and entries every year. I must thank everybody who contributes to the show and helps to clear up the showfield, which was clear by noon on Sunday.”

There were so many entries in the packed sheep section that the show committee had to borrow pen equipment from neighbouring Oswestry Show.

Star of the main ring was the BMX Show, featuring three riders who performed two breath-taking 30-minute displays with commentary. “They put on a great show and really got the crowd going,” added Rob.

The show is held at Bodfach Park by permission of Christopher and Laura Acton and Janet Jones. Show secretary Sian Lewis thanked all the show sponsors and 62 trade stands for their continued support.

The Four Valleys Speed Shear, organised by Llanfyllin, Dyffryn Banw, Dyffryn Tanat and Vyrnwy Valley Young Farmers’ Clubs, was won by Iwan Hughes from Penybontfawr with Rhayader’s Gethin Lewis runner-up.

Llyr Evans won the open shearing contest with Lewis second, Gwydion Davies third and Hughes fourth.

The sheep section featured the Blue Faced Leicester Progeny Show and new classes for the Reyland and Coloured Reyland, attracting entries from across Wales and the border.

Another popular area of the showfield was the Village Green which including plenty of attractions for children as well as performances by Porthywaen Silver Band and Penybontfawr Male Voice Choir. The dog show was also as keenly contested as usual.

Other main ring attractions include parades by South Shropshire Hunt and Mid Wales Vintage Machinery Club, a fancy dress competition and children’s sports.

This year’s show president was auctioneer Glandon Lewis, a partner with Welshpool-based Morris Marshall & Poole while main sponsor for a second year was Llanfyllin-based HIJ Electrical.

Glandon praised the show committee for organising such a successful and well organised event with high quality entries throughout. “It was a thoroughly enjoyable day and I would encourage people to put this show in their diaries for next year,” he said.

The annual event is a showcase of all that’s great about the countryside and the community, providing an opportunity to meet, compete and have a fun family day out.

The cup winners were:

Horses

Shire horses most points and best exhibit: Davies, Park Hall. Welsh Cobs: Best local mare or gelding, Mari Evans. Hunters: Best exhibit, Penny Teague. Best working hunter, Morgan Nicholson. Children’s riding classes: Overall winner, Lily Roscoe. Veteran champion, Morgan Nicholson. Class 56, Lily Roscoe. Child who tried the hardest in the young handlers’ classes, Josephine Corbett. Best in hand exhibit, D. A .& E. L. Lewis. Showjumping: Class 62, Manon Watkins. Up to 90cm, Charlie Stockton. Up to 100cm, Sarah Warner. Up to 110cm, Jane Warner.

Sheep

Best exhibit, John Pryce. Best group, Dafydd Owen. Bluefaced Leicester: Most points, Dewi Williams. Best exhibit, Aled Jones. Suffolk: Best group, Georgia Delves. Best exhibit, John Pryce. Texel best exhibit, Dafydd Owen. Welsh Mountain best exhibit, Emrys Roberts. Welsh Hill Speckled-face best group, Myrddin Jones. Speckled Sheep classes best exhibit, Myrddin Jones. Mules best exhibit, Glyn and Nia Williams. Jacob best exhibit and best female, D. P. & S. L. Owen. Butchers lambs best pen, Clive & Helen Roberts. Any other breed best exhibit, Richard Whiticase. Any other Continental breed best exhibit, John Powell. YFC: Most points, Katie Howells. Butchers lambs champion, Katie Howells. Young handler 10 and under and 11 to 16, Millie Shelly.

Cooking

Most points, Judith Hawtree. Rich fruit cake, Jean Gittins. Most points in yeast classes, Margaret Herbert. Most points in preserves classes, Jean Gittins. Open best exhibit, Anne Lloyd. Children’s classes most points four years and under, Erin Jones. Most points five to eight years, Gracie Tudor and George Breese. Most points local 13 to 17 year, Seren Cunningham. YFC most points, Tonicha Horn.

Handicrafts

Most points in open sections, Dawn Trimarco. Most points four years and under, Harri Lloyd, Elin Williams and Logan Hurst. Best exhibit five to nine years, Huw Francis. Most points and best exhibit in the children’s section, Elin Jones. Photography best exhibit, Mike Gries. 

Garden competition best exhibit, Vennetta Smith. Agricultural produce, Carwyn Jones. Horticulture: Most points section B and C, M. W. Jones. Most points section A, Will Denne. Best onion exhibit, E. F. Evans. Best carrot exhibit, Will Denne. Children’s classes: Best exhibit, Ifan Watkin. Best collection of wildflowers and grasses, Huw Roberts. Class 677 best exhibit, Becca Morris. Floral art classes 670 to 676: Best exhibit, Joyce Lewis. Most points, Gill Huxley.

Most points in agricultural classes, Emrys Roberts. Best vintage machinery, Jamie Steel. Best commercial stand, Trebor Jones.

PICTURES (by Gary Williams)

Seren Cunningham receives the Churton Rose Bowl president Glandon Lewis and his wife Sioned for most points in cookery 13 to 17 years classes.

Open shearing contest winner Llyr Evans with runner-up Gethin Lewis, third placed Gwydion Davies and fourth placed Iwan Hughes.

Dafydd Owen with the best group in the sheep section.