Held for the 45th year on the old Withybush aerodrome site, the organisers of this week's three-day Pembrokeshire County Agricultural Show, will probably never be more grateful for the many acres of concrete and tarmac that the site affords. Only a week or so ago they were having to water the horse jumping arena because the ground was feared to be too hard but, over recent days, periods of torrential rain have changed all that - on the second day, with the grassed areas proving too soft, all available aircraft runways were brought into use in order to facilitate parking of around 8,000 cars. During the first two days of the event, only a few short, sharp showers hampered the enjoyment of the many visitors and at the end of the day the treasurer is certain to be a happy man - the weather was such that the farming community could not harvest the autumn crops and the holidaymakers to the county were being deterred from going to the seaside! Over 2,300 entries were catalogued, despite dairy cattle exhibits being somewhat down, but other sections, the beef breeds, sheep, horses and ponies much more than made up for the shortfall. Other sections were said to be 'buoyant' and and the general secretary, Malcolm Crossman, was well pleased. "I haven't had the actual figures from our contractors yet but the attendance over the first two days looks very, very good", he said.
Local championship awards:
CATTLE
Holstein, champion heifer in milk and reserve champion dairy cow - Simon and Sian Davies, Brynhyfryd, Hebron, Whitland. Jersey, champion dairy cow - Sian Plumb, Caerleon, Llanboidy, Whitland. Dairy Shorthorn, champion and reserve dairy cow or heifer - Mark and Eluned Davies, Troedyrhiw, Llangynnin. Brown Swiss, champion and reserve dairy cow or heifer - Alan and Carol Davies, Caerleon, Llanboidy. Hereford, champion - Gordon and Myfanwy Bowen, Pentalar, Rosebush, Clynderwen. Limousin, champion and reserve - Eddie Griffiths and Co., Cilgryman Fawr, Henllan Amgoed, Whitand. Native British Beef Breed, Champion and reserve - P. A. and P. A. Jones, Penclippin, Login, Whitland (Aberdeen Angus). Dexter, reserve champion - M. A. Williams, Iet Goch, Llanboidy, Whitland.
HORSES
Shetland, champion - Mrs. L. J. Williams, Bramble Bank, Church View, Summerhill, Stepaside. Welsh Mountain Pony, Section A, champion - Mrs. H. J. Myers, Awelfan, Henllan Amgoed, Whitland; Reserve - Judith Reed, Longhouse, Wiston; Foal - Evans and Owen, Dyffryn Brodyn, Blaenwaun, Whitland. Haflingers, under saddle, champion - Jean Dickman, Bach Sylw, Login, Whitland.