Royal Welsh 09: Hopes for drier day to bring in visitors

Organisers of the Royal Welsh Show are hoping the threat of more rain will not hit gate receipts on the third day of the event.

Heavy showers on Tuesday (21 July) put some visitors off, with 52,698 passing through the turnstiles, down 7300 on the same day last year.

Despite traffic chaos on the show’s opening day, almost 54,000 people had attended the show on Monday (20 July), up 1908 on 2008.

Livestock judging went ahead despite the rain, though some of the heaviest showers, like one during the showdown of the teams of five beef cattle, sent ringsiders running for cover.

Wednesday’s show will see the National Freeholders Protection Association, an ad hoc grouping of hill farmers, protest against what they claim is the blight of excessive public access rights.

A spokesman said that recent cattle attacks on walkers were forcing farmers to abandon century-old management practices.

The highlight of a busy day in the livestock judging rings will be the sheep champion of champions confrontation, when the top sheep selected in classes for 44 different breeds will go head-to-head.