Usk show celebrated 175 years of excellence with a show that had the wow factor last Saturday, 14th September.

The crowds were four deep around the main ring for the stars of the show - four camels from Warwickshire-based Joseph’s Amazing Camels.Mix that in with some award-winning farm animals and the Rockwood Dog Agility Display and you have a recipe for success and what must have been a blockbuster attendance figure for the showShow secretary Nia Osborne told the Beacon that the various ticket outlets had sold a lot of advance tickets "and this year was the most we have ever sold on-line".It wasn’t all easy going for the show organisers though as the contracted buses for the park and ride scheme, Peakes, had gone into liquidation earlier that week."The first I realised it was on the morning of the show when I saw a rather irate lady who had been waiting at the bus stop for 45 minutes," said Nia. She rang the bus company and had no reply and after making some enquiries realised that they would not be turning up to take visitors to the show. Luckily there were enough Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) staff around to rally three of their own drivers and buses."I had help from three local taxi firms who supplied mini-buses and Martin Decheridte of the Usk-based London Bus 4 Hire supplied two Routemaster buses," Nia added.The 100 acre site near Usk was made up of 11 different sections each holding their own competitions. Visitors could see the best in cattle, sheep and pigs as well as a thriving horse show and show jumping competitions.Goats, poultry, rabbits, horticulture, homecrafts, a companion dog show, Steam Corner and vintage tractors also helped make the show the annual success it is.In the sheep section, Best Pair of Lambs went to the Trumper family, Best Female Sheep went to Aled Groucott, who also took Champion Sheep award. Charlie Milson took the Young Handler Cup for 10-14 years old.Overall winner in the 4-9 years-old category went to Harrison Griffiths.The Overall Champion Handler award and the Nigel Phillips Trophy in the pig section went to Holly Williams.James Trumper took the Young Handler award for the 10-14 years-old.The Stevenson Trophy in the pig section for overall winner went to Mr and Mrs W Hayward with reserve winner awarded to Amanda Phillips.Tim and Kitty Bodily won overall Butchers Cattle and Overall Beef Supreme Championship, Native Cow award and Best Commercial award.They are pictured right with son Jack Bodily with nieces Ceris and Eleri Williams in the Grand Parade.The Hart Cup for Best handler went to Megan Powell.Monmouthshire County Council’s ’Thank You for Fostering’ event in their marquee saw over 30 carers and their families come together over tea and cake for a celebration of their outstanding dedication to fostering. The special ceremony began with a word of thanks from Chief Officer for Social Services, Safeguarding and Health Julie Boothroyd, who welcomed all the carers and thanked them for their work. There was then a presentation of flowers to carers whoattended courtesy of MCC’s leader Councillor Peter Fox and Chair, Councillor Shelia Woodhouse.Cllr Fox said: "It was an absolute honour to host a special thank you event for our foster families. Some of our families having been fostering for over 25 years now so it’s great to recognise their commitment. "The work they all do makes a huge difference to children and young people. We are constantly in need of more foster carers so we would encourage anyone considering offering a home to a child to get in touch".