What a difference a year makes – last year Llanbister Show battled rain and wind this year sun and heat

The first agricultural show in the Radnorshire area sparkled in glorious sunshine a year after devastating winds damaged marquees

Twelve months ago Llanbister Show was battling rain and rescuing marquees lost or damaged by the wind.

Fast forward to Bank Holiday Monday 2026 and it rejoiced in glorious sunshine with new and repaired tents!

An equine influenza alert threatened to put a last-minute dampener on the horse and show jumping events but they were saved by additional biosecurity measures including a requirement on the day for vaccination passports.

The Show’s official opening was announced again with cries of ‘Oyez’ by Llandrindod Town Crier Jan Swindale in traditional costume with her handbell and unusually assisted by a Welsh Dragon, after a jolly musical introduction by Llandrindod Silver Band.

It was followed by a keynote speech from this year’s joint Presidents Margaret and James Grieve, aided by the Prince and Princess of Llanbister, who were chosen from the children’s disco the previous Friday and Show Chairman Geoff Morgan.

The band played sets during the course of afternoon alternating with acclaimed young local singer Rhian Hughes.

One of the first demonstrations in Mid Wales of Flyball Dog Agility took place at Llanbister. It is a series of high-speed relay races for dogs of all sizes and types which was amusingly explained in advance by humans acting out the canine roles.

This was followed later in the arena with Revvi Bike children’s safe electric bike racing with very young kids clinging on and leaning into the bends like mini-professionals!

The children’s play area with outdoor toys and bouncy castles was extremely well-used, as was the ever popular raffle, the array of craft and community stalls and a tombola organised for first time by Llanbister Best Kept Village group added further colour and interest.

Refuelling and respite from the intense sunshine was regularly sought at the tea tent and bar run by Cantal YFC with a fantastic range of cakes, sandwiches and a barbecue.

There was a good range of entries for the craft and produce across all age groups although the number of art and photography submissions was down on last year.

There were similarly encouraging turnouts for most of the animal sections except for disappointingly few entries in the Fur and Friends (small animals) competition.

Some dogs were kept away because of the heat, nevertheless the dog show managed nine classes plus the championship.

The pig show saw a good turnout of Duroc, Saddlebacks, Large Blacks and an ever-popular sow and litter.

Supreme champion was Dave Lang with Polly Constance, sow, and reserve champion Morgan Halliday with Duroc July, gilt.

The sheep show had 59 entries this year plus 12 very eager young handlers.

The winner of the Guess the Weight of a sheep was James Price. The section organisers express a big thank you to judges Andy Jones and Arwyn Griffiths who did a thorough job in the heat!

The Speed Shearing competition, held on the Sunday evening at Cefn Bronllys, was won by Joseph Hughes.

Full results including Horse and Show Jumping and the car treasure hunt should be posted on Llanbister Show Facebook page in due course.

The Show Committee expresses its thanks to all participants, supporters and visitors for helping make it such a successful day.