THE CHAIRMAN of the Oswestry District and Agricultural Society has hailed the return of the Oswestry Show as 'wonderful' and showing the "best of British."
Janet Ward was speaking as the popular agriculture show returned to the town on Saturday, August 6 for the first time since 2019 with crowds pouring onto the showground site to socialise and enjoy the atmosphere.
Visitors were able to try different food and drink in the various stalls and get up close to farm animals and see different shows.
Mrs Ward described the event as a highlight in Oswestry's calender.
She said: "It is wonderful after the last couple of years, I think everybody has missed it really, it is very nice to get back to it.
"I think it draws a lot of people together, I think people like to meet up, especially after the pandemic and it just brings the town and the countryside together.
"I think it is a highlight on Oswestry's calender.
"We have had wonderful support from people, lots of trade stands."
A lot of work was done to prepare for the show and Mrs Ward said she was pleased with the turnout.
"It is showing the 'best of British,' I think probably in the livestock areas people have not been showing for a couple of years," she said.
"People are making a really big effort to get back into it, so it is really nice to see people returning.
"We are really thrilled with the numbers we have got here today."
The show provides farmers opportunities to shows animals they have in stock and Mrs Ward explained it can help with sales.
She added: "I think it shows what we have on offer and for people to go forward and show the animals that they have got.
"If they win a breed championship here, it shows they have good stock and when they come to sales, it just puts their name up their really."
Mrs Ward thanked volunteers for helping ensure the show went ahead.
She said: "Our show council, all made up of volunteers, we have three full-paid members of staff in the show office.
"They have worked really, really hard after two, three years off.
"We have a committee of volunteers and they have been super.
"The last three weeks we have been building the site.
"I used to be involved inside, I could see what is going on there but I never really seen how this is all built up.
"So, the last week has been very interesting to see how people have supported us.
"So, that is what is really good."
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