Royal Welsh attracts 236,284 visitors
A near record attendance of 236,284 confirmed yet again the supremacy of the Royal Welsh Show as the biggest attraction of its kind in Britain. The success of the four-day event also demonstrated its resilience as it bounced back from the depressing results of the 2007 show, staged in the worst weather conditions for nearly 50 years and which produced a loss for the first time since 1974.
In contrast to a year ago delighted visitors enjoyed four days of warm sunshine and despite the problems of bluetongue disease which curtailed entries, the show lived up to its reputation as the shop window for Welsh agriculture by putting on a spectacular display of top quality livestock in the judging rings.
“The show was brilliant,” said the chairman of the Royal Welsh board of management, David Lewis. “Looking back you could say that last year’s show was a stepping stone to this year’s success.”
The crowds at Llanelwedd poured through the gates from the start and when the third day’s attendance nudged 70,000 it was evident that the record figure of 240,140 achieved in 2006 would be challenged.
Visitors were also in a spending mood. Traders said business was brisk and banks on the showground were also busy. One reported that £250,000 had been dispensed from its cash machine and a similar amount deposited over the counter by tradestand exhibitors.
Among the visitors were 612 from overseas who registered at the show’s International Pavilion. They came from 40 countries led by 96 from Holland, 78 from New Zealand and 60 from Australia.