The social highlight of the year for many semi-rural areas are the annual range of activities associated with the local agricultural show and St. Clears is no exception. Despite the bypass now taking through traffic away from the commercial centre, St. Clears remains a lively market town. Most days the main business area - becoming increasingly attractive to holidaymakers - is a hive of activity, boasting a good range of local shops, banks etc., including two prize- winning butchers, craft and garden centres and a thriving top value electrical store. St. Clears Show is said to have its origins as long ago as maybe 150 years and, therefore, holds a very long-standing tradition in one of West Wales' prime agricultural areas. The main theme of farming in this locality is still dairying, despite its decline in profitability, and sheep and beef are very important as well - it is prime animals from these herds and flocks that will present some of the main showpieces tomorrow - as will the best produce from the cookery and garden experts to be seen in the marquee. Breeding and riding horses and ponies have also grown immensely as an essential and increasingly popular part of the show. A well-known and popular local figure who has done much for agriculture and charitable causes in the area, Mrs. Mary Davies, Caeremlyn, is this year's president for the day.
