In a statement released today, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) has announced the cancellation of May’s Smallholding and Countryside Festival and the postponement of Clwyd’s Feature County Year and the Royal Welsh Show until 2022.
Under current restrictions, it makes it impossible to hold large events such as these this summer. Any restrictions on numbers and the associated 2 metre social distancing rules are major barriers to the viability of events, such as the Royal Welsh Show.
RWAS staff, trustees and the whole Society are committed to ensuring the showground is event ready when rules allow. RWAS has said that they will continue to work with Welsh Government and Public Health Wales to ensure the event sector has a strong voice.
Despite the postponement of the Royal Welsh Show, the Society is committed to exploring every opportunity to host smaller COVID compliant events during the summer and it is their ambition to host a bumper Winter Fair, before returning to a new normality in 2022. Further announcements will be made later in the Spring, when a better understanding of the pandemic and restrictions is available.
Chief Executive Steve Hughson said:
“We continue to work alongside the Welsh Government and Public Health Wales to create a Road Map for the safe re-opening of events. Our events are central to the rural economy and way of life and mean so much to members, exhibitors, traders and visitors and we fully understand the responsibility on all of us to ensure we deliver our events as soon as it is safe to do so. Despite these challenges the Society has stepped forward to support our local community by providing free facilities for a COVID Testing Centre and a mass vaccination centre”.
Chairman of the Board John T Davies said:
It is with the regret that the decision has been made to cancel this year’s Smallholding and Countryside Festival and to postpone the Royal Welsh Show. We will explore the possibilities of smaller, alternative events this summer and with the Board of Directors will continue to focus on protecting our Society for the next generation. We greatly appreciate the support of our members and other stakeholders. The continued support of all associated with the Society has never been more important.”
