The Story of the Royal Welsh Show

Gareth Wyn Jones presents the fascinating story of the Royal Welsh Show, from its establishment in 1904 through to its status today as the greatest of the Royal Shows and the pinnacle of the Welsh rural calendar. With this year’s show cancelled due to Covid-19, Gareth takes the opportunity to delve back through the archives and bring to life its compelling history.

The show’s story is one of triumph over adversity. Its founders fought to establish the show in 1904, in an era when Welsh institutions of any kind were sorely lacking. Since then, it has survived two world wars, petrol rationing and the crisis of foot and mouth disease in 2001.

The transition from a travelling show to making its permanent home at Builth Wells in 1963 was tumultuous, but the show ultimately flourished in its new home, uniting communities from across Wales and becoming both the highlight of the rural calendar and a showcase for the best of Wales.