It is a great privilege to be the first female chairman of Oswestry & District Agricultural Society, sadly since being voted as chairman we have been unable to stage our local one day Show due to the pandemic, a great disappointment to all concerned.

It is the longest break we have had in the Show’s history since the Second World War.

Thankfully, this year we are happy to report that plans for our 135th Show are well under way and we look forward to welcoming everyone once again to the Showground, Park Hall on Saturday, August 6. The past couple of years have not been easy for anyone and I am very grateful to our office staff, voluntary show committees members and our society members for their support over this disruptive time and now in the run up to our forthcoming show.

I have had a long association with Oswestry Show and it has been a highlight in our social calendar most of my life. My first memories of the Show is as a child watching my father show cattle, I then went on to take part in many of the young farmers competitions and activities as a member of Whittington and Oswestry YFC, before joining the Horticultural Committee and entering the Floral Art Competitions. In 1997 I became Show Manager and after eight years left to help in our family business but always returned in my new role as Press Officer to help out around Showtime.

Not only have I been waiting for three years to oversee my first show but our show President the Reverend Prebendary, David North has also waited patiently to carry out his show day duties. Many will remember David as Rector of Whittington for many years, he has chosen Mrs Ruth Roberts as his consort, both have been keen supporters of the Show, and Ruth has also served on our Horticultural Committee and successfully entered competitions in this section in the past. I do hope they both have a wonderful day.

In keeping with its traditional agricultural links there will be the usual classes for horses, cattle, sheep, and rare breeds, judging takes place throughout the day in the many rings scattered around the Showground. It is a wonderful place for those from the town to view the best of British, and for those from the country to catch up with friends old and new. Oswestry will again stage the very popular Sheep Shearing Competition where competitors race against one another to shear as many sheep as possible in a limited time, a real spectacle.

Despite a difficult couple of years, the Society is increasingly grateful to the numerous businesses, many of them local, who continue to support the Show. Some by sponsoring classes and others attending with trade stands. A wide range of stands can be found around the Showground for our many visitors to view. Oswestry is still very fortunate to maintain a strong agricultural avenue along with a Business Marquee, Food Hall and Craft Marquee.

Visitors can also enjoy looking around the Small Livestock building, sadly this year we are unable to hold any poultry classes due to the avian flu epidemic at the moment. Both the WI building and Horticultural Marquee are both a very popular part of the Show with a colourful array of exhibits. A parade of vintage cars and motorbikes and will take place during the day along with a display of vintage machinery organised by Montgomeryshire Vintage Machinery Society. Whittington & Oswestry YFC will also showcase their home section and stock judging competitions.

For the youngsters there are the Model Steam Railway rides, a programme of entertainment on our Village Green to include Border Counties Gymnastics, Cheerleading, a circus workshop and the New Saints FC Foundation football activities. There are also a number of competitions for them to enter; do visit our facebook page and website for further details.

To enable a quick and efficient experience into the Show we encourage people to purchase discounted tickets online or if you prefer you can support the Show by becoming a Member of the Society. For all further details please visit our website www.oswestryshow.co.uk.