THIS YEAR’S President of Oswestry Show has shared his delight at being asked to carry out the important duty.

Leading this year’s show - which takes place on Saturday, August 2 - is John Jones, a well-known retired livestock auctioneer and chartered surveyor from Guilsfield, near Welshpool.

Mr Jones said: “It was a great honour to be invited to act as president for the 2014 Oswestry and District Agricultural Show. I feel privileged to follow such esteemed gentlemen who have carried out this duty over the past years, this being the 129th annual show.”

The livestock auctioneer has a long running history with the show and has fond memories of the event as a child as he and his parents visited annually. He has particularly fond memories as this is where he first met his wife, Carol, in 1971.

Mr Jones was first involved with the show many years ago, when he requested to commentate on the parade of horses in the main ring, which was a duty he continued to do for many years.

He added: “On this, the 129th show, my main task will be to visit the livestock exhibitors who make a tremendous effort to support our show and to visit as many trade stands as possible as the support of the traders is also vitally important to the success of the event.

“I will be accompanied on these visits by my predecessor, Meredydd Hughes, and my wife Carol will be visiting other sections of the show accompanied by Mrs Ann Hughes.”

The Show President signed off thanking everyone who is helping to make this year’s show possible.

“I would like to thank all of our sponsors and especially our main sponsors this year, Llansilin Tractors and Anglo Beef Processors. I would also convey my thanks to the show committee for all their hard work in organising and preparing the show field, with special thanks to the chairman, Malcolm Roberts, and the show manager, Mandy Roberts, who have worked tirelessly and with great patience to guide me to this point. I hope the weather will be kind to us on Saturday and hope you all enjoy the show,” he added.

Schedules are now available from the Oswestry Advertizer office and from the Show Manager, The Show Office, Oswestry Showground, Park Hall, Oswestry SY11 4AB. Tel/Fax: 01691 654875. Email: mandy@oswestryshow.co.uk or visit www.oswestryshow.co.uk where tickets are also available.