For the first time in more than a century, sheep drovers have been seen in Hay on Wye.
They made their special appearance at the launch event for this year’s Royal Welsh Show held at the Hay Festival, Dairy Meadows.
The procession of local drovers trod in their forefathers’ footsteps in celebration of Llanelwedd’s new sheep village, ‘Cynefin’ and other developments.
This is the first time that the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) and the Hay Festival have collaborated which is timely, as Brecknock is the 2026 host county.
Show president, Gethin Havard said: “Seeing sheep travelling along the old Drovers route again was truly an extraordinarily moving spectacle.”
Aled Rhys Jones, RWAS chief executive, added: “The 250 strong crowd at the event was enthralled with what they saw and I’m sure they’ll be equally as enamoured with all the other new developments we have waiting for them at this year’s show.”
As the YFC celebrates its 90th birthday this year, an ensemble of members, under the guidance of RWAS ambassador Teleri Haf Thomas, performed a rendition of the federation’s anthem ‘Bydd Wych’ at the event too.
With just over 50 days to go until the 2026 Royal Welsh Show, it was announced that the event will be officially opened by Major Andy Butcher MBE.
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