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After 16 years at the helm of the Monmouthshire Show, Kay Spencer has decided that the time has come for her to take a back seat and give someone else the opportunity to have a lead role in the management of all aspects of this wonderful Show Society.

Kay took over the reins in 1994 after the Show had been through a turbulent period and when facing some financial challenges. The subsequent period however, has seen one success after another as the Show has both grown in popularity and had its overall financial position absolutely transformed. This was much in evidence back in 2006 when the Management committee made the courageous decision to move the location of the Show after a period of 150 years. The availability of 115 acres of prime agricultural land along side the Redbrook road just presented an opportunity too good to miss and the purchase proceeded smoothly and now provides the Society with a new and permanent home.

Kay has very much been the driving force and inspiration for much of the subsequent activity which has seen a further huge investment and emergence of what can truly be described as one on the best and most picturesque of Showgrounds anywhere in the UK. Kay has worked tirelessly to promote the Society’s charitable activities and also the Showground itself to bring new events into the county, and this year we will see a Kite Festival and Balloon Glow and an international Polo match for the first time.

Kay’s devotion and affection for the Show will forever remain undiminished and she will retain an active role supporting the new secretary and handing over the experience and knowledge of the past 16yrs. She will no doubt also offer her committee members the occasional word of advice!

David Evans, Society Chairman, said, ‘’On behalf of the Committee we can only extend Kay our best wishes and say a very sincere thank you for 16 yrs outstanding service and absolute loyalty to the Society – she will be missed more than I can ever convey’’ The post for a new secretary will be advertised shortly and it is hoped that interested candidates may visit the Show this year to gain a real insight into such an exciting and diverse role. Interviews will then be held immediately after this years show. Anyone interested in learning more about the position should contact the Chairman of the Show Society, David Evans on 07711034050.

As part of the ongoing development of the new showground and as a result of the generosity of contributors to the Showground Development Fund the committee were thrilled to see the start of construction of a building to be used for essential storage and office facilities. Under the invaluable direction of Brian Spencer, and with the help of Alan Cox and members of the Wyesham Wanders Football Club, the shed gradually started to take shape during May and June and a celebration committee meeting and supper was held in July, albeit by candlelight! The Shed will eventually house facilities for the Wyesham Wanders Football Club enabling them to offer the required standards to visiting teams as they follow their ambition to rise through the leagues.

Readers will remember the Pig Racing at the Monmouthshire Show this year – it was not only great fun and a wonderful crowd pleaser but also brought in some much needed funds for the Monmouthshire Show Charity of the Year the R.A.B.I. The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution will be celebrating 150 years of helping impoverished families from the farming fraternity albeit through death, debts or disease. Their aim is “To support the family and keep food on the table”. Although many people think that all farmers are well off this is not necessarily the case and between around £250,000 is spent each year in Wales in helping such families. The Monmouthshire Show committee were delighted to be able to present a cheque for £325 raised from the proceeds of the betting on the pig racing at the Show last August.

Picture shows Show Chairman Ann Herbert presenting the cheque to Erys Hughes, Regional RABI officer for Wales at the Management Meeting on Monday October 12th.

Mr John Biggs (Chairman 2008/9) presenting a cheque for £407.00 to representatives of the Wales Air Ambulance www.walesairambulance.com the Monmouthshire Show’s chosen charity for 2008.

Sir, I am writing ref. the |Monmouthshire Show 2007. I had the privilege to visit the 2007 Monmouthshire Show on 30th August and feel that I must give public recognition to both the outstanding standard of the show and the excellent new venue for this prestige event in the calendar of the agricultural community of South East Wales. It was a brave decision by the Show Management Committee to move the show to its new venue at Redbook Road in Monmouth, but this year’s top class show ably demonstrated the perfect visionary approach of the committee concerning this matter. The 2007 show marked the 150th anniversary of the event and it was therefore important that the day should be memorable and significant for everyone involved. I therefore offer hearty congratulations to the dedicated band of Management Committee Members and Organisers in achieving a notable and significant milestone in the standard and organisation of the 2007 Show.
Councillor Chris Woodhouse (Chairman of Monmouthshire County Council)

Praise for the Show Committee for their handling of the first show on the new site has come from Monmouth MP David Davies, A M Nick Ramsey and Monmouthshire County Council Leader Andrew Crump.

Mr Davies said: “the first show on the new site was an outstanding success and all of the organisers and volunteers are to be congratulated. Traffic congestion was kept to an absolute minimum by the police who manually controlled the traffic lights and a great day was had by all. It was a shame that there were no livestock due to the foot and mouth restrictions in place but there were plenty of other attractions to compensate. I think many will agree that the highlight this year was the Spitfire display. The pilot put on a spectacular display in a plane that was over 60 years old. It was also a reminder that in 1940 the freedom of this country was narrowly preserved by young men with an average age of 19 flying these machines at great risk to themselves. With the new site the show can look forward to another one hundred and fifty years”.

National Assembly member for Monmouth Nick Ramsay said: “I know that a lot of hard work has been put into creating this fantastic new site. It has been great to celebrate the show’s 150th anniversary. This popular event continues to go from strength to strength”. Mr Ramsay went on to welcome an announcement that restrictions on livestock markets and shows are to be lifted. Speaking from the showground Nick expressed disappointment that the news had not come in time for this year’s event. Nick said: “I am pleased that restrictions on livestock have finally been lifted following the recent foot and mouth outbreak. Whilst we can all accept that regulations needed to be put in place to prevent the further spread of this contagious disease, it will come as a relief to Monmouthshire’s farmers. It is however disappointing for the organisers of the Monmouthshire Show that restrictions could not have been lifted before this year’s event. Despite all this it has been a wholly enjoyable show at its picturesque new showground on the Redbrook Road”.”.

Councillor Andrew Crump, who was chairman of the Monmouthshire Show in 1990, also expressed his delight in the show’s success. “It was a delightful day and I’m very pleased it was so successful; hopefully this will quell the doubters of the last 12 months who were critical of the show moving from Vauxhall”.