Brecknock is the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society 2026 feature county

Brecknock is the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s feature county for 2026, succeeding Caernarfon which raised £252,774 with its programme of events and fundraising activities.

The handover happened at the  RWAS Council annual meeting which celebrated Caernarfon’s year of outstanding fundraising, community events and unwavering county spirit.

Under the leadership of resident John Owen and supported by ambassador Rhys Griffith, Caernarfon brought exceptional energy, commitment and unity to its 2025 Feature County year. 

RWAS Council chair, Nicola Davies, praised the Caernarfon team for their dedication. “You’ve certainly put Caernarfon on the map and we’ve enjoyed a hugely successful year,” she said.

Over the past two years, Caernarfon delivered a varied calendar of events with highlights including the Royal Welsh Show official launch at Bangor University, a Hill Farming Event at Hafod y Llan Farm, Eryri, an away day at Chester Races.

The county also commissioned a ‘Cerdd Groeso’ – a Welsh welcome poem – by the renowned bard Myrddin ap Dafydd to mark Caernarfon’s year as feature county.

Mr Owen thanked his county committee and supporters, saying: “It has been a truly special year. Our year as the feature county has created a wonderful sense of pride and community within Caernarfon and beyond. 

“It has also underlined the importance of the society – not only to the agricultural industry, but to Wales as a whole.

“One of the most encouraging things has been seeing so many young people involved at society events, their faces lighting up in the ring when they receive that red card. They are the future of farming.”

Leading Brecknock as president Gethin Havard, who farms in partnership with his two brothers in the Sennybridge area, running a beef suckler herd and a flock of breeding ewes.

Having served as Brecon and Radnor Suckled Calf Rearers Association chairman for 17 years and as the British Wool Marketing Board South Wales representative for 12 years, he has become a respected voice and strong advocate for farming in Wales.

He will be supported by his wife, Ceri, a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Powys and their three daughters.

“One comment from a much-beloved previous president, Dai Jones, Llanilar, has always stayed with me from his acceptance speech: ‘This is the biggest honour you can ever bestow on a farmer in Wales’, said Gethin.

“We are looking forward to hosting the Grassland event at Cwmbrynich Farm. We’ve held a series of events already and we haven’t forgotten the lost community on Mynydd Epynt. If everything goes to plan, we’ll have our launch on the Epynt next summer – it’s a very special place.

“This is a tremendous privilege and I would like to thank my wonderful family, friends, and the mentors I have been fortunate to have along the way for all their support.”

Teleri Haf Thomas was appointed Brecknock’s Ambassador for 2026. A first-class Aberystwyth graduate and social media lead for Menter a Busnes, Teleri will play a vital role in championing Brecknock’s activities, supporting events and representing the county at RWAS functions over the next year.

“My time as ambassador elect has given me the chance to truly appreciate the scale of the operation the society runs, through its volunteers, competitors, tradestands and sponsors,” she said. 

“It has been a huge privilege to discover areas of the Royal Welsh Show for the first time. This experience has shown me how the event can introduce people to aspects of rural life they may never otherwise encounter.

“Looking ahead, there’s still so much to come and we have a formidable team in the county driving us forward.”

Teleri plans to bring the countryside to the city next autumn as part of her ambassador’s project to reconnect rural communities with urban areas, organising a livestock parade around Cardiff Bay followed by a celebration of food, farming and rural skills.

The council welcomed Susan Jones as president elect and Mari Llifon Jones as ambassador elect for Anglesey, who will be feature county in 2027.