The annual Powys Federation of Women’s Institutes’ County Show has taken place once again this year, much to the excitement of competitors and organisers.

The popular show, which was forced to be held in a virtual capacity last year during lockdown, was staged this year at the Knighton Community Hall.

Last Saturday morning the centre was buzzing with anticipation as competitors entered the hall to set up their entries across various categories. Judging took place late morning and competitors, members and guests came back in the afternoon to marvel at the wonderful works of art - whether baking, crafts, art, photography or flower arranging - and to see which WI had won each category.

The overall winners, claiming the County Shield, were Aberedw with individual cups and shields being presented to:

Peter Jenkins Shield – Tref y Clawdd

N & P Trophy – Tref y Clawdd

Cookery – Millennium Trophy – Whitton

Craft – Mr and Mrs Duncan Thomas Trophy – Felindre

Art – Joan Lewis Memorial Shield – Aberedw and Tref y Clawdd

Photograph – Yvonne Mills Bowl – Rhayader

Beginners Floral – Federation Cup – Aberedw

Staging and Display – Crystal Vase – Tremont

Rose Bowl – Mrs. JAP Thomas Rose Bowl – Rhayader

Rebe Brick - Crystal Bowl – Tremont

Brecon Cup – Bwlchysarnau Roe Bowl – Tremont

The winner of the Rose Bowl was Rhayader and the Brecon Cup winners, Tremont, will go forward to represent Powys Radnor at the Royal Welsh Show in July.

Due to guests and the Powys Radnor chair and treasurer being affected by Covid, Cheryl Price, past federation secretary kindly stepped into the breach to present most of the awards and was presented with flowers by vice chair Ann Lloyd.

Although a long day of excitement and suspense it was so good to see the competition between the WIs, the novelty of meeting up again at one of the main federation events, and to sit and enjoy a cup of tea and cake while discussing the various entries.

Also available were leaflets giving information on all aspects of the WI and a new business card for members to take and pass on to relatives, friends and neighbours interested in joining their local branch.

The craft club also had a table of sales showing some of the work they had undertaken and there will no doubt be new members joining who were attracted by the show of crafts undertaken.

Vice chair Ann Lloyd thanked all for attending, the judges for giving the entries their close attention and awarding well-earned marks. Thanks were also given to the members manning the refreshments, the meet and greet ladies, raffle sellers, the backroom ladies for consolidating all the individual marks, the board of trustees for overseeing and hosting the event, and the Knighton Community Hall for their invaluable help in setting up the hall and the use of their amenities.