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OPINION: The Welsh certainly know how to create an atmosphere

²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian's head of livestock on enjoying a few days at the Royal Welsh Show

Angela Calvert
Head of Livestock, Shows and Sales
clock • 1 min read
OPINION: The Welsh certainly know how to create an atmosphere

I'm in Wales this this week to cover the livestock section at the Royal Welsh Show and the journey involved travelling through parts of the country I don't visit very often.Ìý

But it was the same story the whole journey - very burnt off, dry looking grass the whole way and with no rain forecast there is no sign of it changing anytime soon.

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It did make me think perhaps I have made the right decision in buying in a barn full of hay – it did have my doubts if it was the right thing to do – but I can't see there been a lot of second cut unless things change, so doubt the price is likely to come down.

According to auctioneers the lack of grass is starting to impact on some dairy sales and although store lamb prices, at the moment, seem to be ahead of last year, that might change if things don't improve.

The Royal Welsh Show is certainly something special. It feels as if the whole of Wales converges on Builth Wells for the week and they certainly know how to enjoy themselves.Ìý

View and buy photos from the

There are packed crowds around the rings all week with one of the highlights the Welsh cobs thundering round the ring with the crowd cheering creating a fantastic atmosphere.

On Monday evening the Hawkstone Choir sang several songs in the main ring – one of them in Welsh with the crowd joining in, and even though I didn't understand a word, I must admit it gave me goosebumps.

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