CROWDS enjoyed a taste of the Royal Welsh Show in the grounds of Chepstow Castle last Saturday (23rd May).

More than 1,500 people attended the Countryside Comes to Town event organised by Dr Glyn Jones of Chepstow.

Gwent is this year's Royal Welsh Show feature county and is raising money to improve the equine facilities at the showground in Builth Wells.

Visitors to the Chepstow Castle grounds witnessed a flavour of the annual Royal Welsh Show including sheep shearing, a dog show, poultry exhibits, a fancy dress competition with the theme of farmers and landowners through the ages, flower arranging displays, as well as local crafts.

Dr Jones said: "There have been a lot of people coming through all day – I am very pleased.

"When I was a member of the Ceredigion committee in 2010, I organised a taste of the Royal Welsh on the promenade in Aberystwyth.

"Everyone thought I was a bit mad but it brought a flavour of the show to the people on a busy weekend in Aberystwyth.

"We are doing the same here today by linking country and town together in the scenic setting of the oldest stone fortification in the UK, and on the same day as the Chepstow Independents Market at the top of town, ensuring a very busy day for Chepstow."

The show saw performances from Leesa ­Cart-wright who sang lullabies with her puppets for the children.

The extremely popular Chepstow Castle Singing Club, led by Karl Daymond, performed a range of songs, including a French song for a visiting football team from Lillebonne, a commune in the Seine-Maritime department in the Haute-Normandie region in northern France, who were taking part in a local football tournament.

Mayor of Chepstow, Councillor Ned Heywood, said: "It is a very nice event. The whole town of Chepstow is buzzing today with this and the market on the high street with plenty for visitors and local people to see and do in Chepstow."

Cllr Heywood thanked Dr Glyn Jones for organising the event, stating how important farming was to Monmouthshire, and how important Chepstow was for walking – with Offa's Dyke, the Wales Coast Path and the Wye Valley walks – and that the link of the countryside coming to town was very important.

Dr Glyn Jones said that the event raised almost £1,700 including sponsorship.

Christie Murphy, 65, of Bulwark, Chepstow, said: "It has been very entertaining.

"My three-year-old granddaughter Sky has loved seeing all the animals and loved the poster competition.

"Her favourite has been the sheep and she's had her photo taken in the police car."

For more details, visit: http://www.rwas.co.uk">www.rwas.co.uk

Photos courtesy of Paul Johnson at http://www.pixelsintime">www.pixelsintime.

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