Everyone a winner at this year’s 220^th Pembrokeshire County Show

Pembrokeshire County Show created an amazing buzz last month with fantastic weather and ticket sales, more trade stands than last year and a huge amount of award winners.

The Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society has praised the hard work of the huge army of volunteers, sponsors and exhibitors, without whom it would not have been possible to hold the show which celebrated a remarkable milestone – 220 years since the very first Pembrokeshire Agricultural Show.

Tim and Margaret Johns, Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society Presidents, said, “Thank you to everyone who came and supported the show, including the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, who must have been impressed with how the agricultural community pulled together to put on the event. They cannot have failed to see how farming is the artery which provides the lifeblood to every vein and sinew of rural Pembrokeshire. It was difficult to find a trader in the Show who did not depend in one way or another on a prosperous agricultural industry. This was further highlighted by the fact that almost all ten recipients of long service awards this year came from businesses feeding into and dependent on a thriving rural economy.

“Since 1805 our community has come together to celebrate the spirit of rural life, the innovation of our farmers and the richness of our local produce. What began as a modest gathering of agricultural pioneers has grown into one of the most cherished traditions in the county. Planning now begins for the 2026 event which will take place on 19 and 20 August.”

Award winners at this year’s Pembrokeshire County Show included:

Baron de Rutzen Award Those under the age of 45 who farm in Pembrokeshire and could demonstrate their farm’s use of the latest technological methods to promote progressive, sustainable agriculture were encouraged to enter the prestigious Baron de Rutzen Award. The winner was Nigel Raymond from Jordanston, who is one of six partners in the family farming business. 

The judge, Professor Wyn Jones, was impressed by the scale of the business. He was mesmerised by Nigel’s knowledge of every element of the farm and his overview of the business was impressive. The Raymonds sell their milk and potatoes to Pembrokeshire Creamery Ltd and Puffin Produce Ltd. They have two herds, one at Jordanston Hall and the other at Trenewydd Fawr. Nigel takes particular responsibility for the herd at Jordanston, where they have 370 cows producing 9,500l of milk. There are 250 cows at Trenewydd. The potato enterprise consists of about 400 acres which includes salad and main crop.The total combinable crops of oilseed rape, winter wheat, winter barley and spring barley in 2025 amounted to 2,050 acres. Of this, 1,500 tonnes of spring barley will be sold for malting, which ultimately ends up feeding into the Welsh whisky brands. They also keep some beef cattle, mostly sold as stores, and they buy in 1,800 store lambs, which they fatten.

Student Bursary Award was awarded to two winners this year. Charlotte Lewis of Poyerston Farm, Cosheston,who is studying Animal Husbandry at Aberystwyth University and Gwenna Maycock from Wolfscastle, who is studying at the Royal Veterinary College, Aberystwyth University. Both will receive a £1,000 bursary towards their studies. The £1,000 bursary is open annually to all qualifying students studying agriculture, veterinary science, agricultural engineering, food technology, forestry or other subjects clearly allied to agriculture.    

Ambassador for 2026 to help support officeholders in promoting and meeting the aims of the Society. During the show, the role was awarded to Adam George, a Construction Project Manager, from Hayscastle. Adam is involved with Brawdy/Hayscastle YFC and has hands-on experience of helping Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society at the Food Story events and is an active member of the Show Council. Adam has played hockey for Fishguard and Goodwick Hockey Club for six years and plays Farmers’ Football. He is also the Hayscastle Community Council Clerk.

Long Service Award – Presented to those that have worked in excess of 25 years for the same employer on farm or agricultural related business. There were ten recipients for the inscribed Awards including: Marion Davies and Susan James from the Farmers Union of Wales; Joy Williams has worked for Fenton Vets for 50 years; Four drivers with Clynderwen & Cardiganshire Farmers CCF - Malcolm Davies, Lloyd Childs, Mark Rees and Aled Vaughan. Dylan Thomas who has worked for Teulu Evans for 25 years. Beth Morgan from the Oak Veterinary Group and Richard Vaughan from Pembrokeshire College.

The next large event to be held on the Showground will be the Christmas Fair which will take place over two days this year on Saturday and Sunday, 13 and 14 December, between 10am and 4pm. There will be gift and craft stalls, food and drink, festive music and a Santa’s Grotto. Admission is Free. 

The date has been set for Wales’ largest county agricultural show, Pembrokeshire County Show in 2026. The event will take place on 19 & 20 August at Pembrokeshire County Showground in Haverfordwest.