Episode 1 Royal Welsh Show

Over 200,000 people and 8000 animals of all shapes and sizes will come

from the world over to this beautiful corner of rural mid Wales

and they're coming for this. This is the biggest and most prestigious

agricultural show in Europe. Welcome to the Royal Welsh Show 2017.

Hello, I'm Kate Humble and you join me on the first day of the 98 Royal

Welsh Show. Over the next four days thousands of people will flock here

to be part of the most important event in the agricultural calendar

of Europe. Some come here for the annual summer holiday, some come for

excitement and entertainment but at the heart of this is the fiercest of

competitions. As family members, friends and relatives will be

pitched against each other as well as competitors from all over the

world to be the best in show. And right in the thick of it joining me

is Gareth Wyn Jones. I'm leaving all this behind and heading to the show

for the sites, the sounds and smells. It is my summer holiday and

hopefully I will be catching up with old friends and making some new

friends. You can follow all the action or sending your own

experience of the show using the hashtag Royal Welsh show. Smile,

everyone! If you have ever wanted to know how to grow a champion or

flawless freesia, I know just the woman for you. She's the green

fingered goddess, Rachel De Thame. Behind the locked doors the judging

is currently under way for the flowers and vegetables. So a lot of

nervous people around who have poured their life and soul into

their produce. But it is not just vegetables and flower growers hoping

to win prizes here, for farmers and livestock breeders, having one of

the animals walk away with the prize is something to be proud of. But it

is not easy. To win the top prize involves not just winning once but

four times. Let me explain. These are Hereford cattle competing today

for the supreme individual beef championship. We have four classes,

balls of different ages, for heifers, and one for cow in calf or

calf in foot. The winner will one of these, a cause for celebration here.

Red card winners from the classes will go on to compete against each

other to be judged best overall Hereford mail and the same with the

females. Then the best male and female go head-to-head for best in

breed. And the best of breed Hereford will be pitched against all

the other best of breed pedigree animals to fight for supreme

champion. Before any competition can take place the showground needs to

be made ready full stop and that takes a huge amount of work and

massive transformation. It will not be long now before this

area is literally packed with thousands of people all enjoying one

of the biggest agricultural shows in Europe. The man in charge of it all

is the chief executive Steve Hewson. Is there anything that would make

you wake up in the morning and think my goodness, I'm not sure that the

show can go on. I think we're fairly confident it will go on, the weather

is probably the greatest challenge we have contingency plans for all

extremes. It is vital whatever the weather the main ring stays in

perfect condition. That job belongs to John Smith. We installed a huge

amount of land drainage and also we put a lot of sand into the soil and

so when it rains it goes straight through the soil into the pipe

drainage. But you still need to irrigate. Absolutely because there's

so much sand, it will drain quickly and out. So we need the irrigation

to supplement that. And to the exhibitors appreciate that this blog

is as magnificent as it does? Absolutely not just the look but the

fuel. -- the fuel. We are all being irrigated! And preparations are not

just happening at ground level. Andrew Mills ensures competitions

can go on above our heads as well. This is the 100 foot pole climbing

competition, the tallest in Europe. What is the criteria for the perfect

tree to climb up the Royal Welsh Show? It is to be Douglas fir like

those behind this. There is 15 foot in the ground is probably 130 foot

tall and we do not have many of those about. How do you feel among

the morning? I just get apprehensive and nervous. But it has to be fine,

it has to be! I was here a couple of weeks ago, fantastic transformation.

You are the president this year. Brian Jones. Here representing your

host county of Carmarthenshire. What is the role of the president? Each

county in turn acts as host county and that county during that year

appoints someone to represent them as President. You have thrown open

the show, we have been lucky to grab you because this is a busy couple of

days. It is very important as well, it is the window of Welsh

agriculture. And rural life. Not just to this country but Europe and

the whole world. It shows our culture, the background work going

on in Wales. It is a big day for cattle breeders

today but what makes a bull brilliant or heifer head of its

class? Gareth Wyn Jones gives us the lowdown. Welcome to the cattle sheds

and two sections are competing. The beef and the dairy. Both will be

judged on individual elements of their animals. The dairy on the

odours and the beef on the meet. This year the link and read are back

in the beef section, only 11 cattle here. Neil Hodgson is one exhibitor

from the University of Nottingham Trent. A very old breed, widely

keeping them? It is a commercial herd, it has to pay its way and at

the same time we're teaching students as well as doing research.

I had to pick a breed that was docile, not to put off the first

timers. And you excited? Yes, very excited. Been here a few times

before but we have never shown here ourselves. Fantastic cattle, we wish

you all the best of luck. Different to the link and read, it

is much tougher if you're showing limousine with 127 cattle competing

here. -- Lincoln Red Cattle the Hereford cattle are becoming popular

in the farming community and I'm here with Tom from south Wales. Good

morning. We have a special heifer behind us called Mandy. I got her

for a box beef scheme which will run and then I discovered she was

pedigree so I kept breeding. So she should have been burgers! You have

saved her. Saved her life. It takes a lot of effort to get these

creatures show ready. And these are the favourites of the show, the

Welsh Black cattle. We went to see how much work it is to get them

ready for the judges. Can I give you a hand? Come on, then.

If you want a chance to meet the love of your life here is a little

tip. Get yourself a handsome Welsh Black ball. It certainly worked for

Jessica and Hugh Williams. I don't know what it is but just being on

the end of a rope attached to one of these animals kind of makes you feel

magnificent. And in the hills above Harlech these native cattle have

gained an unlikely reputation as matchmakers. It is how my mum and

dad met, as a Welsh Black sale. And that is how myself and Jessica met

as well. Was that essential getting your parents had get -- had got

together over the Welsh Black, bet you went for a girl associated with

this cattle? It was not essential, but it helped! What makes them

special? They've got to be black, they're a traditional breed. And

quite deep chested. That is what you want, the depth in the animal, that

good topline. At the end of the day they're beef animals. But despite

their tough exterior, please cattle also enjoy a spot of pampering

before a show. So you're brushing the hair upwards. It just gives them

a bit more body and shine as well. They enjoy the pampering. And the

blower as well, you would think you would not -- they would not like the

noise but they love it. It is like me next and they push in. They

really enjoy it. If you do walk away with the top prize, is it one of the

top accolades you can get? Absolutely. A lot of people regard

it as one of the best shows in the world so to get any prize there, but

the top prize is absolutely fantastic achievement.

Who wouldn't fall in love over a Welsh Black? We will find out how

few and Jessica got on a bit later on but now I have come to see some

of the most dashing animals on display today. This is the coloured

pony ring and dashing herself is a wonderful Karen. What is it about

these horses that has been particularly special for you and

your family? They're just part of the family. And my son who is

autistic and has dyspraxia, and terrible agoraphobia, finds it hard

to go outside of the house until he met his pony Texas. He knows he's

going to see him and he can go outside the house without any help.

And I started to show him as well which is why I'm here today. And

this is the first time you and your son Jason has been to the Royal

Welsh Show? It is. This is a huge show. And you said Jason has really

struggled to get outside at all. So for him to be here today, what does

that mean for you and him? I'm absolutely, just lost for words. To

see him in the ring just makes me very emotional. He is overcoming his

fears and becoming a man which is just amazing for me. It is the most

wonderful story. And where the most inspirational woman. I have to say

it is the only thing that outdoors these ponies, you are fantastic.

Good luck. But let's go to another colourful corner of the show to join

Rachel De Thame for the Royal Welsh Show arrives about a month before

many of these vegetables which the absolute peak. But that does not

stop hundreds of exhibitors and competitors turning up with the very

cream of their crops. These vegetables are not just grown,

they are coaxed lovingly out of the ground. Nurtured and groomed to

utter perfection before any of us get to lay our eyes on them. To

exhibitors who certainly have grabbed my attention with their

spectacular giant vegetables are Philip and Brenda. That is what I

call a show stopper. You cannot miss this barrel. What is involved in

growing something like this? A lot of it is fun and enjoyment, I just

do it as a bit of a hobby. But it took me just six weeks to grow the

vegetable itself. Six weeks to grow it, and you can sit and almost see

them grow. It seems to me that thing that behind every great man is a

woman. Behind every great Maroh there is a woman! Does that mean you

have to be very patient and allow fillip to be out in the garden the

whole time? Very patient yes. It is a lovely hobby and we have had great

fun over the years. It is nice to come to a show like the Royal Welsh

Show for a day out. And the thrill of growing it. I've been so

impressed with the produce of the show, vegetable growing is

definitely alive and kicking in Wales and I cannot wait to see the

flowers. Doctor who lives in Wales, sort of

cover the series is filmed here and the doctor has kindly lent me the

Tardis to do a bit of time travelling myself.

Following the industrial revolution in the late 18th and early 19th

century there was a big increase in demand for food in Britain. To meet

the demand landowners, farmers and politicians saw the need to educate

and share farming information and practices. And what better way to do

so than through farming itself, and the first agricultural societies in

Britain were formed. The English Royal agricultural Society was

formed in 1838 but it will be more than half a century later into Welsh

agricultural Society was formed in 1904 and held its first show in

Aberystwyth. The town would be home to the first six shows until the

decision was made to take the show on the road. From 19 said it would

flip-flop between South and North Wales before the First World War put

a stop to that. It would be 1922 before the show was resurrected. The

Society celebrated its golden jubilee at the 1954 show. It was a

time to reflect and also look forward. Questions were raised about

the sustainability of moving the show from town to town. Would a

permanent home be better. In 1963 the society have a splash out on a

permanent fight at Llanelwedd in mid Wales. And as they say, the rest is

history. -- permanent site. And here we are. Back to 2017, and a

little look ahead to the future. Still to come, Gareth takes to the

water and Rachel is having a blooming marvellous time in the

flower tent. If you thought that all pigs look

like the little pink pig in babe, this might come as a surprise,

because there are hundreds of breeds of pigs, some are pink, some are

black, some have floppy ears, some of straight is, some have straight

tales, some have curly tails. In short, pigs come in all shapes and

sizes. This year, the show has an all-new Director of Pigs. This is

Phil Fowlie, the new Director of Pigs. What is your job to do? It is

to keep an eye on the pig section, and hopefully to see it working

well. We have some beautiful Welsh sows behind us. Obviously with

cattle and sheep they have halters on. Pigs have boards and sticks. Why

is that? If they get too close together, they will ultimately have

a fight. What you see today isn't something that happens overnight. It

takes a long time to prepare a pig for a show. What other judges

looking for? I would imagine that he wants a very sound commercial pig

that is going to reproduce, good quality meat, and it's important

that you have the right head on a Welsh pigs. The ears have got to be

of a moderate size. Some of the these examples, I'd like to take

anyone home. So if any pigs go missing at the end of the show...

You will know where they are! Thank you very much and good luck for the

rest of the show. Someone who is hoping for success again this year

is my old friend Liz Shankland. A few weeks ago, I went to see her

with her bevy of ginger beauties. They may looks laid-back, but pigs

are known for their personality, and Liz Shankland credits them for

changing her life. Before pigs were in your life, what were you doing?

You are not a farm girl, are you? Know, I'm a total fraud. I'm

completely a fraud as far as farming is concerned. I came from a little

terraced house in Merthyr Tydfil. The biggest thing I ever touched at

home was a cat. For 30 years I've been a journalist, and I've worked

in newsrooms all over the place, and looking after livestock was probably

the furthest thing from my thoughts. I just happened to see an advert for

a house which had some land. So I ended up with pigs. Before Liz knew

it, she was a prize winning breeder of rare Tamworth pigs. There is

really a need to keep this breed going. So part of what I'm doing is

from a conservation point of view, because I want to see our old,

traditional breeds surviving. Getting these mud monsters ready for

the show requires a lot of shampoo and elbow grease, and Liz has her

very own show rituals as well. I love them. I have a pair of lucky

knickers! I do know that! Not just one pair. I've got two pairs. I

should hope so. It is a four-day show. You never know when you are

going to get into the championship the next day, otherwise you have to

put them inside out! Do you feel particularly proud when you take

home a rose that? Of course you do. It may not be this year, but at the

end of the day, I'm doing this because I love pigs, I love my

breed, and I'm having fun. I can see.

We will find out if Liz's knickers prove to be lucky tomorrow. Now,

let's head back to the rather more fragrant fruit and vegetable hall

and Rachel de Thame. It has taken months of planning, but finally the

horticultural tent at the Royal Welsh Show is in full bloom. These

displays are preening colour, charisma and fragrance into what is

one of the largest movable marquees in Britain. Tell me a bit about the

theme for this year's show. That is the first thing you look at, in the

fashion, and then in the fashion to the artist, design and models. You

take that on board when you have the fascinator 's or the hats, and on

this occasion, it was a shop window. Jonathan, you are a Master florist

with masses of experience, so why are you still drawn towards showing

here? Apart from being Welsh, it is a very prestigious show. It comes

here every year. My classes which I run in South Wales come to a close,

so this is my holiday. Victoria Jane from Swansea started flower

arranging three years ago after leaving her job with the local

authority. I went to the college locally and retrained to become a

florist. And I opened a shop within four weeks of qualifying. You didn't

hang about! Tell me a bit about what you have created? Julien MacDonald

is contemporary and his work is phenomenal. Did you get an award

this year? Not this year. I have had a second and a third and two highly

commended. The first thing is, you want to compete and you are in it to

win it, and when the judge doesn't quite see what you are

interpreting... For many farmers, this show is their annual summer

holiday, and for the last 25 years, Gareth Wyn Jones has left his North

Wales farm in the care of his dad and travelled down here to fully

embrace the summer holiday spirit. There's so much to do here at the

Royal Welsh. Some people take to watersports like ducks to water. I'm

definitely not one of them. Canoes and me don't get on. Anything to do

with water, I'm not a fan. In fact, I'm a little bit scared. Are you

coming down, Gareth? Are you serious? Come on! So, Ian, kayaking

is becoming a big sport in the UK. It is the fastest-growing sport for

the last 12 consecutive years in the UK. It could have massive potential

for the rural economy and health benefits. There is a huge benefit to

people going out and enjoying the countryside, but they need to do it

with proper instruction, and they need to respect the environment they

are in the. You are here with your two children, who are really good at

this job. One of them has been doing this for nearly eight years.

Children can do anything. A paddle, a duck to water. We have got

something special planned for you. If you get on the pond and you are a

TV presenter, we have a rule. We are going to roll you. I'm absolutely

terrified, but I've been told I'm in very good hands. Put yourself

forward. One, two, three! That wasn't bad!

So, Gareth, have you got over your fear of water yet? No comment,

ladies! Rachel, first time at the show for you. Have you loved it? I

have loved every minute. I felt so at home in that agricultural tent,

and it is the atmosphere of it. Sadly, it is almost time for the end

of the show, but before we go, let's find out who our winners are today.

Really chuffed. Congratulations to all of them. We

are going to be back tomorrow. What are you up to Gareth? I'm going to

the sheep said to see some old friends. I am not back tomorrow, but

Cerys Matthews is, and she's going to be a bit of a daredevil! I am

going to be meeting some of the city slickers who are giving the farmers

a run for their money. We will see you tomorrow. Goodbye!

..we're on a mission to prove the UK is wilder than you think.

So join us for a week of adventure, UK-style.

..we're on a mission to prove the UK is wilder than you think.