The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society is proceeding to stage the 2008 Royal Welsh Smallholder and Garden Festival with livestock exhibits present. But as you will be aware, parts of the UK were placed under movement restriction by DEFRA following the Bluetongue outbreak in and the protection/surveillance zone has been extended to include the Welsh Borders and South East Wales.

Due to the restrictions, animals from the protection & surveillance zone will not, at present, be able to attend the 2008 Festival (unless current blood testing provisions can still be used). However, it is quite possible that this situation will change and therefore we are willing to accept provisional entries from these zones. If after entering the restrictions still apply on Friday 11th April, then entries and fees, unfortunately, will have to be returned to all those exhibitors affected. Further information on the Bluetongue situation and those areas affected can be found on the DEFRA website. Remember, closing date for all Festival livestock entries is 4th April 2008.

The 2008 Festival will again feature an extensive sheep classification. Sections will include the following.

Saturday 17th May 2008.

Welsh Mountain, Black Welsh Mountain, Jacob, Badger Face Welsh Mountain - Torddu Section & Torwen Section, Balwen Welsh Mountain, Kerry Hill, Southdown, Hill Radnor & Young Handler Section.

Sunday 18th May 2008.

Ryeland, Greyface Dartmoor, Rare Breeds - Longwool Section, Closewool Section, Primitive Section, Coloured Ryeland Sheep, Pure Lowland Native Breeds, Pure Hill & Upland Breeds, Any Pure Continental Breed, followed by the Judging of the Supreme Champion & Reserve Group of Three & Supreme Champion and Reserve, based on the section winners from both judging days.

Good prize money will be again be on offer for each class and breed champion & reserve with the overall Supreme Champion receiving a Welsh Royal Crystal Award, a unique bespoke rug kindly supplied and sponsored by Brintons Fine Carpets, £30 Tesco Stores Ltd Voucher & Royal Welsh Smallholder and Garden Festival Supreme Champion rosette and prize card.

Reserve will get a Welsh Royal Crystal Award, £20 Tesco Stores Ltd & Royal Welsh Smallholder and Garden Festival Reserve Supreme Champion rosette & prize card. Supreme Champion and Reserve Group of Three will also receive similar prizes to the above.

If you have never shown sheep before, why not start with a visit to the 2008 Festival? This event is the ideal stage to start and experience the buzz of the showing world!

For further details on the Festival or for a schedule, please contact Rhian Davies: Tel - 01982 554408, Fax - 01982 553563, Email - rhian@rwas.co.uk Website - http://www.rwas.co.uk