The sun was shining on this year’s Sennybridge Show, which proved to be memorable. There were some tremendous entries for the different sections and some fierce competition. The Main Ring attractions were a hit for all ages and there was a range of trade stands and crafts to wander around.

On the run-up to the show, a number of fundraising events were held including a Post-Lambing Bash in April with the Magician Dorian and a good turnout at the Tractor Run, raising funds for the Friends of the Brecon Hospital and towards the Show.

Last Saturday, 2nd September, the show ground was buzzing with excitement as all the entries for the various classes started to arrive early in the morning, from sheep to horticulture. Exhibitors came from far and wide to support the show with over 400 sheep entries, the cattle bringing high-quality entries, and horse entries up from last year. Events also included a show of dogs parading in Fun Dog Ring, a mix of farm produce on display, and many entries in the Domestic & Craft and Horticulture marquee. There were lots of activities for children with a circus workshop, carnival games and a bouncy castle.

Events also included a show of dogs parading in Fun Dog Ring, a mix of farm produce on display, and many entries in the Domestic & Craft and Horticulture marquee.
Events also included a show of dogs parading in Fun Dog Ring, a mix of farm produce on display, and many entries in the Domestic & Craft and Horticulture marquee. (Ruth Rees Photography)

The Main Ring attractions in the afternoon were a huge hit with the crowds. The Show had its very own Jurassic Park with dinosaurs from the Lost World coming to Sennybridge. Children and adults gathered around to watch RentaDinosaur provide an amazing show on ‘How to Train a Dinosaur’ with many participants entering the arena to get up close and personal with the large T-Rex called Bruno. The dinosaurs and their handlers also wandered around the Showground to mingle with the public which certainly attracted a lot of attention to those passing by!

A plane circulated the show ground until it had reached high enough for the Red Devils Team to jump and parachute down. It was led by the Team Leader Cpl Wayne Shorthouse, followed by a team of three attached together before separating and landing simultaneously. The last parachute member of the team flew the Welsh flag into the Main Ring to finish off the amazing display.

Captain Steve Child, Officer Commanding Red Devils Parachute Display Team, said: ''As members of the Parachute Regiment we spend a lot of time training on the hills around Sennybridge,. It is great to be back in the area supporting the local community by parachuting in with our Red Devils Parachute Display Team. We are delighted the crowd enjoyed the display, it's wonderful to be part of the show.''

A plane circulated the show ground until it had reached high enough for the Red Devils Team to jump and parachute down.
A plane circulated the show ground until it had reached high enough for the Red Devils Team to jump and parachute down. (Ruth Rees Photography)

There were plenty of other attractions to the Main Ring including the Defynnog Vintage Society providing a hay demonstration, along with the parade of hounds by the Sennybridge Hunt.

Councillor Edwin Roderick, who is usually in the commentary box at the show, and his wife Dilys were the Presidents of the Show for this year. Edwin commented: “What a brilliant weekend the show had with the weather and so many spectacles’ goings-on from the high standard of the livestock, the large number of entries to all the Main Ring attractions throughout the day. A magnificent team who all knew what was needed to make it happen."

The horse section was very well supported with a large number of entries, both local exhibits and many travelling a good distance, bolstered our equine display.
The horse section was very well supported with a large number of entries, both local exhibits and many travelling a good distance, bolstered our equine display. (Corn Store Studios.)

Here are some of the results for the overall winners from the various sections throughout the day:

The horse section was very well supported with a large number of entries, both local exhibits and many travelling a good distance, bolstered our equine display. Throughout the day many of the judges commented on the exceptional standard of the animals on show. The Supreme Champion was won by Julian Williams with Hop Nougat (Section A) and the Reserve Champion went to Evie Wright with Rianwyn Caradog (Working Hunter Pony).

A great turnout of sheep entries with fierce competition in every section.
A great turnout of sheep entries with fierce competition in every section. (Ruth Rees Photography)

A great turnout of sheep entries with fierce competition in every section. The overall Supreme Champion and Lowland Section Champion exhibit was awarded to the Morgan family of Blaencar, with a Texel yearling ram and the Reserve going to C&R Joseph with a Brecknock Hill Cheviot who also won the Upland Section Champion. The Commercial Section Champion was a crossbreed ewe and won by Jack Williams, Pantygelynen.

The President with the Red Devils
The President with the Red Devils (Ruth Rees Photography)

There was a new section for Jacob sheep which was well supported and had an exceptional entry of 70 sheep in the Herdwick classes.

Within the Domestic & Handicraft tent the quality and standard of entries was high. The local Primary School had completed their dedicated classes beforehand and they along with all the open classes provided a feast for everyone entering the marquee to observe and admire, as well as the delicious smells from the cookery and preserve classes. The Horticulture section had an array of outstanding flowers and vegetables on display. The full results are available on the Sennybridge Show website – www.senbridgeshow.com

At the end of the day, there was plenty of entertainment for the children with a rugby assault course and activities for children of all ages.

After all the activity from the day, the attention was turned to the Speed Shear in the evening hosted by Sennybridge YFC. The results were:

Juniors - 1st Gethin Williams, 2nd Lewis Williams, 3rd Iwan Davies. Intermediate - 1st Dafydd Havard, 2nd Will Smith, 3rd Baden Powell. Seniors - 1st Mark Harris, 2nd Rhydian Edwards, 3rd Elis Rees. Open - 1st Elis Rees, 2nd Lewis Davies, 3rd Nick Jones. Veterans - 1st Howell Havard, 2nd Gethin Lewis, 3rd John Price.

Sennybridge YFC thanked everyone for their support including the judges, commentators, helpers, timekeepers, scorers and the valued sponsors for their support towards the event.

To finish the Sennybridge Show weekend the President’s Variety Performance was held in the marquee on Sunday night.
To finish the Sennybridge Show weekend the President’s Variety Performance was held in the marquee on Sunday night. (Ruth Rees Photography)

To finish the Sennybridge Show weekend the President’s Variety Performance was held in the marquee on Sunday night. There was a great attendance, with a mixture of performers taking to the stage. The compère for the evening was Steffan Evans from Cardiff who smoothly led the concert throughout the night.

The concert started with the Aberhonddu & District Male Choir followed by the Welsh popular singer Clive Edwards or known as ‘Clive the buses’. Cantorion Trallong took to the stage, along with the comedians Mike Reed and Gareth Hunt. It would not be the Show Concert without a performance from Sennybridge YFC. In celebration of their 80th year this time older members stepped to the stage, which included a favourite one plus sketch ‘Nuns on the Run’ and a new sketch written by Dyfed Watkins based on the comedy TV programme 'Allo Allo' featuring the Show Presidents. There were plenty of laughs and enjoyment had by all. Proceeds from the Concert were towards Coedwaungar Play Area and the Show.

The Devynock Agricultural Society would like to thank everyone for their continued support and for all the helpers that put on an outstanding show and concert. See you next year for another exceptional show!