ORGANISERS of Chepstow Show say they were pleasantly surprised by the number of people who turned out to support it despite ‘testing’ conditions. 

And while the weather forecast suggested that the wind might be the big challenge, it was the rain which hit Chepstow Racecourse with brief, but very sharp showers, until early afternoon that were the problem. 

The conditions – the second year in a row where the show had been affected by adverse weather – meant some major changes to the programme including the cancellation of the grand parade of livestock which is usually a highlight of the show. 

Entries to the horse competitions were also down as many people decide on the day whether to enter

Show secretary Isobel Hart said: “The forecast was for winds of up to 50mph which could have caused problems with insurance for some of the marquees. 

“We were checking the wind speed every half an hour and it never got much beyond 30mph. 

“The rain was more of a problem because it does deter people from coming and the horse section was affected because a lot of people decide on the day whether to enter. 

“Given the conditions, it was decided to send the cattle home early. 

“The weather has improved over the course of the day and we have been pleasantly surprised at the number of visitors who have come to support the show.” 

Volunteers had spent the previous week preparing the showground and the possibility of cancelling the show was discussed on Thursday. 

Despite the weather there was plenty to see and do around the  showground including the homecraft and horticulture tents, horse competitions and a programme of attractions in the main ring. 

Among the main ring shows were displays by the Woolaston Bassett Hounds, vintage tractors, falconry, the Curre and Llangibby Hunt and the Welsh Yeomanry First World War re-enactment group.

Things do not turn out quite to plan for vegetable grower Terry Wheeler – which was just as well because his misshapen carrot won the show’s top prize, the Chepstow Show Gold Cup.

The cup is awarded in a different section each year and this time it was in the horticulture tent.

Show chairman Scott Coates decided the cup should go to Mr Wheeler of Caldicot for his carrot which won the ‘ugly ones’ class.

Mr Wheeler said: “It was in one of the exhibition tubes for growing the long carrots. 

“Whether there was a stone in the compost or it got too dry and the carrot split – it was sheer luck, there is no expertise in growing that.

“I had another smaller one with a lot more legs but I decided to go with this one. 

“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with it – you’ll get some meals out of it.

“What’s wrong with it? A distorted vegetable is still a vegetable.”

A ‘People’s Choice’ award in the flower arranging section raised £355 for the Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice.

Each year, visitors vote for their favourite arrangement in one of the classes and make a donation to the nominated charity.

Ty Hafan ambassador Judith Owen, of Chepstow, said they were “thrilled” with the amount of money raised.

She said: “It’s been very successful, we’ve had a wonderful response.

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Cup winners

HORTICULTURE

Desmond Lysaght Cup for most points overall: Stephen Hunt. South Wales Argus Shield for vegetables: Terry Wheeler. Mabey Cup for flowers: Stephen Hunt. WD Jenkins Cup for beginners’ flowers: Caroline Harvey. Watson Cup for five vegetables: Stephen Hunt. DH Davies Cup for beginners vegetables: Alex Harvey. Reg Dickman Cup for runner beans: Alex Harvey. Sam Blake Cup for heaviest onion: Stephen Hunt. Garden News Shield for cut blooms: Stephen Hunt. John Evans Cup for roses: Elizabeth Baker. Lewis Jubilee Cup for dahlias: Ray Evans. Western Daily Press Trophy for best in show: Ann Wickham. Chepstow Show Gold Cup: Terry Wheeler. 

 Homecraft 

Kathleen Price Salver for most points overall in baking, preserves, drinks, craft and flower arranging: Catherine Bates. Silver salver for baking and preserves: Catherine Bates. Silver Cup for baking: Catherine Bates. Mrs K Edwards for Dundee cake: Jane Pratt. Sugarcraft Trophy: Averil Salt. Mary Vaughan-Hughes Cup for preserves: Beryl Metcalf.Howick Cup for drinks: Catherine Bates. Edith Clay Cup for craft: Sally Utting. Castle Craft Cup for best craft item: Sally Utting. Open Shield: Tutshill WI. Shirenewton VPA Salver: Melanie Worgan for flower arranging on theme hints of autumn: Melanie Worgan. Boughcliffe Cup for flower arranging: Julie Sparkes. DC Keene Cup for arrangement of roses by a man: Reuben Davies. Alwyn Page and Gill Horton Prize for best arrangement: Reuben Davies. Home and Handicraft Cup: Carol Morgan. Barry Watkins Cup for photography: Paul Webb. Homecraft Shield for art: Junior Cup: Matthew Andrews and Amber Denne. Junior Home and Handicraft Cup: Alfie Doran. Itton Shield for infant schools: Shirenewton Primary. Ruth Sweeting Cup for schools: Shirenewton Primary. Mathern WI Cup for best handwriting: Annie Heneghan.

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