Royal Welsh Show looks set to break attendance record

Soaring temperatures of 37C did not deter visitors from the Royal Welsh Show where after the first two days a new attendance record was in prospect.

The previous best in 1995 was 232,814. But with record breaking attendances of 55,500 through the turnstiles on Monday and 63,766 through on Tuesday, show organisers were predicting a new high to have been achieved by the time the show closes on Thursday, 27 July.

Traditionally the shows busiest day is Wednesday and as the gates opened drivers queued for hours in the heat to get into car parks, and then struggled to push through the crowds that thronged showground’s roads, or to find a space around livestock judging rings.

Shortage of space at the ground kept the total number of animals down but 841 cattle, 82 pigs and 2831 sheep from more than 40 breeds were entered in competitive classes.

Every available bit of stand space was sold, leaving a waiting list of more than 200 companies. Traders reported brisk business.

But the delight of organisers was dampened by news that a 19-year-old young farmer from Llansanan in north Wales drowned while swimming in the River Wye close to the Young Peoples’ Village.

Another young man from the same area was killed in a traffic accident two years ago while returning from the showground to the village.