Rhys Jones, 85, of Cilmickney and Chairman of 40 years at Llanafan Fawr Show is set to retire from his post after this year’s event.

Mr Jones has been named as the Show President for the show this year, along with his wife Jenny. The show will take place this coming weekend on Sunday, September 17.

Llanafan Fawr Show consists of sheep, horses, show jumping, a dog show, farm & garden produce, cookery & craft, children’s classes and activities, a bar, novelty shearing, and a vintage tractor display.

It is believed to be one of the oldest shows in north Breconshire, with the first show taking place in 1947. Rhys was in attendance at the inaugural show in 1947 as a young boy and hasn’t missed a Llanafan show since.

After 40 years as Chairman, Mr Jones spoke to the Brecon & Radnor Express about helping organise the event. He said: “Oh it was easy! It’s only a small show and they’re a great committee to work with, so it was no trouble at all.

"We’ve had no arguments so everything went well. I thought this year was the time to retire”

Speaking about how the show has evolved over the years, this year’s president Rhys said: “It’s changed a lot over the years. Starting in 1947 after the war, I was there when I was very young and it was just a few Shire Horses and a few small ponies. 

“In the following years it expanded quite a bit with dairy cattle, Hereford cattle and the ponies expanded a bit as well.”

He was nine in 1947 for the first ever Llanafan Show and hasn’t missed a show since.

“I always liked showing myself,” said Rhys. “I used to show the cattle and sheep years ago. It (the show) is always something to go to isn’t it, to meet people.

“The sheep dog trials is older than the show itself, 132 years it’s been going I think. It is one of the oldest in north Breconshire probably.

“I’ve seen a lot with the dog show as well, which used to be on the Saturday, and the sheep speed shearing which is going very well now. You’ve got the cooking and needle work and children doing drawings and different things like that. There’s the garden people with their vegetables and the farm people with the farm produce.

“It’s nice to have the show back after covid too, which shut it down.”

This year’s show will be the first one since the Covid19 pandemic.

Mr Jones will be judging the Overall Championship, the vintage tractors, and the young handlers contests at this year’s event.

Talking about the planning that goes into the show, Rhys said: “There’s quite a bit of planning that goes into the show, but we’re very lucky because we have the farm buildings there to use, so we don’t have to buy marquees to use, and they’re good new buildings to use so we are very lucky.”

Speaking about this show being his last year as Chairman, Mr Jones said: “Well I think it’s time for me to retire now. The chairman before me was 91 years-old, and he sadly died.

"I was Vice Chairman at the time so I took over from him and that’s how I got the post, but now I think it’s time to let the youngsters have a go!”