Royal Welsh Show attendance record broken again

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-23449909

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A Royal Welsh Show organiser has said he hopes the event has made Wales "very proud" as it broke its record attendance for the second year.

John Davies of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) put its success down to its staff, visitors and exhibitors.

The show near Builth Wells, Powys, attracted 241,781 visitors, 682 more than last year's total of 241,099.

The visit of Prince Charles on Wednesday broke the single day record.

More than 51,000 basked in the sunshine at Llanelwedd as the show closed on Thursday with temperatures topping 22C (72F).

Officials said 960 overseas visitors from 40 countries had visited the show this week from as far afield as Australia and New Zealand.

"As we reflect upon 50 years here at Llanelwedd I think our forefathers are looking down upon us and saying: 'Job well done' and we owe them that much and more in the future and long may that continue," said Mr Davies, chairman of the RWAS's board of management.

"On a positive note we have every reason to celebrate.

"I hope we have made our nation very proud of what we have achieved here over the last four days."

He said the success of the show was down to a complex process.

"It's not about one issue, it is not one common aspect alone and clearly we've managed to bring all that together in the name of, I consider, the best part of 250,000 people," Mr Davies added.

He said the show also gave the local economy a huge boost, estimated to be in the region of £40m, adding that it was a people's show and "without the people there can be no show".

The event celebrated 50 years based at the showground near Builth Wells this year, with the anniversary marked by the launch of a new book.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visited on Wednesday when the visitor total of 72,315 was the biggest single day attendance in the show's history.

Cheers and applause greeted the royal couple just two days after the birth of the prince's first grandchild.

Show director Harry Fetherstonhaugh said the RWAS received "an extremely nice call" from Clarence House, the official London residence of the prince and the duchess, who "thanked everyone for such a fantastic welcome".

The show showcases the cream of Welsh livestock, food and drink and includes forestry, countryside sports and horticulture.

Around 20,000 cars a day and hundreds of livestock lorries and trailers have converged on the showground over the four days, while livestock entries numbered around 7,000.

St John Wales said it expected its volunteer first aiders to have treated around 800 people by the close of the show, on a par with their busiest ever year.

The charity said the most common complaints had been bites, stings, blisters and alcohol-related problems, with a few more serious injuries such as heatstroke and broken limbs.