Liz Wright Previews a growing event - in every sense!

Even more to see and do at this year's show... This weekend has become a 'must' for smallholders nationwide and I have seen it grow and develop over the years. This year must surely be the most exciting yet and it is wonderful to see an event offer more to visitors but not lose the original intention or those features that are so valuable. So while keeping the strong smallholder theme, the free talks and the emphasis on sharing smallholder knowledge, other new sections have been added. The Forestry area is becoming an important part and will also feature a woodland craft section. At least 1000 entries are expected from competitors across Britain for the two-day dog show, thought to be the biggest open dog show in Wales. Sporting breeds will be judged on the first day and non-sporting on the second.

Getting the Goat: A Pygmy Goat show has been transferred from the Royal Welsh Show to this weekend and experts in breeding this type of goat will be on hand to provide advice and guidance to potential goat keepers. Peter Mercer, chairman of the Pygmy Goat Club, will give a talk on the breed and answer questions.

Angora goats will also be shown at the festival. They were first seen at the event last year. This time Angora goats will be available for purchase and there will be a craft competition for the first time. This was previously held at the famous Chatsworth Country Fair in Derbyshire. There are over 50 classes for goats scheduled with dairy goats on show for the first time in the classes with well-known breeds such as Saanen, British Alpine, Golden Guernsey and the floppy-eared Anglo Nubian.

Sheep and pigs will also appear in the livestock section at the festival, giving the visitor who is thinking of sheep keeping, a unique opportunity to view the very best of the breeds. Also, there will be a young handler section for competitors between eight and 12 years who will handle ewes and lambs only, and for seniors, aged 13 to 16, who will handle rams as well as ewes and lambs. They will be judged on their ability to control and show the sheep and competitors must be prepared to answer basic questions on their exhibit. And don't forget the excellent demonstration staged by the Welsh and Border Counties Pig Breeders Association - always fascinating.

ITV 1 Gardens Roadshow: Formerly known as the HTV Garden Roadshow, now the ITV1 gardens monthly Roadshow, will be appearing at the Festival for the first time. Panellists will include Jon Wheatley, the international flow judge, Vic Ferrier, the well know BBC broadcaster on horticulture and gardening expert Mary Payne. So bring your horticulture queries to the experts. Stands have doubled in the much-enhanced horticultural section which now enjoys considerable support from the Welsh Colleges and the Brecon and Radnor Beekeepers Association will stage a small display of plants for bees.

Smallholder On Hand to Help: We at Smallholder Magazine, will be on hand both days to meet readers and answer your smallholding queries. On the stand with us will be New Land Owner and Chas Griffin so we are able to cover a range of enquiries. The Weekend really is for all the family with entertainment especially for the younger members of the family so the serious smallholders can look round in peace! Live music has been increased with two bandstands (in the village green and forestry area) and there will be a string quartet in the Floral Hall.