REPORT and PICTURES: Meyrick Brown

The North Pembrokeshire Farmers Club has a proud history of serving the agricultural needs of a large swathe of the county from its founding days around 1850.

At that time the club set out to introduce new ideas into the industry as a whole.

In the early days meetings would take place on a regular basis at the Town Hall when men and women with expertise in new fields and other learned authorities would address crowded gatherings.

As time progressed an annual show of fine horses and prime cattle was introduced and, with the coming of the railway, some animals were actually brought to the show by train.

Now the focus of attention continues to be the club's annual 'Fishguard' Show sited in a great location at Fronhaul fields on Cefn road and the event – this year's 160th – remains a major social gathering and a true family occasion.

The winners of a dairy cow competition, judged on farm by Ivor Thomas, Swansea over the winter, were announced as Roland and James George, Sealyham with Carwyn and Rhys Griffiths, Penlan as runners-up.

On show day excellent horse and pony entries were the main feature and the choice of a supreme champion, restored after many years, went to Charlotte Owens' eight-year-old bay hunter, Quantum of Solice, shown under saddle.

Best from the beef cattle on display was the Limousin heifer from Caryl Davies with local breeder, Randall Williams, winning the commercial beef challenge.

From the dairy entries Elwyn and Cheryl Thomas took supreme with their Holstein cow, the January calved fourth calver, Kramer Sid Cherie, and Ben Evans claimed the group of three prize but, maintaining their dairy challenge were father and son, Philip and Stuart Williams with their superb Ayrshires.

Retaining the trophy for the best group of three in the sheep classes was Bethan Davies with her Black Welsh Mountain trio and Joe Vaughan was named as the best young handler.

Gerallt and Joyce Owens led the pig classes with their Landrace entries.

Championship awards:

HORSES

Hunter, under saddle: Charlotte Owen; in hand: Lucy Williams.

Welsh Cob, Section D: Sarah Whitfield; youngstock: A J Davies.

Welsh Pony (Cob type), Section C: W G Davies; brood mare: Niamh Mason.

Welsh Mountain Pony, Section A: Catherine Owen.

Welsh pony, Section B: Hilary Brockbank

Coloured: Claire Edwards.

Show Hunter Pony: Nicola Bowen.

Mountain and Moorland: Angharad George.

Shetland: Suzanne Morris.

Fancy Dress: Georgie Price and Chloe and Stephen Owen.

BEEF CATTLE

Limousin (and champion inter: breed): Caryl Davies.

Welsh Black (and Native breeds champion): Gareth James.

Hereford: Anthony John; pair George and Ionwy Thorne.

Simmental: Aled Davies.

Continental (and champion pair): Randall Williams; pair: Debbie Cummings.

Commercial: Kevin Williams.

DAIRY CATTLE

Holstein (supreme and champion heifer): Elwyn and Cheryl Thomas; group of three (and local champion): Ben Evans.

Ayrshire (and group of three): Philip and Stuart Williams.

Calf rearing: R Williams.

Young handler, under 10 years: Bethan Williams; 11-14 years (and best handler): Iwan Thomas; 15-18 years: Nia Thomas.

Most cattle points: Randall Williams.

SHEEP

Black Welsh Mountain (and inter breed): Bethan Davies.

Jacon: Owain and Rhys Jenkins.

Other Hill: Morgan Clewer Evans.

Lowland: Eirlys Jones.

Texel: Andrew Thomas.

Other Continental: Keiran Head.

Commercial: Sion and Stephan Wilson

Most sheep points: Owain and Rhys Jenkins.

Butcher's lambs: Haydn Davies.

PIGS

Supreme: Gerallt and Joyce Owens.

TRADE STANDS

Agricultural: Mason Bros; non: agricultural: Wern Road Motors.