Hi tech Royal Welsh Show proves a success

And they said they were delighted that the introduction of new high-tech ways to follow the four-day show proved such a hit.

For the first time, the more than £237,000 visitors to the show were able to benefit from the free WiFi hotspots around the showground.

The positive response and uptake was overwhelming, organisers say, with more than 8,000 people logging on and surfing the web while at the show.

And they say once again the Royal Welsh App has proved popular with 10,500 downloads of the handy bilingual tool which helped visitors plan their visit and work out what was on offer each day of the busy show.

Steve Hughson, chief executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, said the live streaming of the footage from the main ring and shearing centre had been hugely successful.

He said: "By Tuesday evening alone more than 30,000 people had viewed the live feeds from 34 countries across the globe, including The Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, America, South Africa, Malaysia and Japan.

"Our international reputation is growing year on year with nearly 900 visitors enjoying the hospitality of our international pavilion from 76 different countries."

David Lewis, chairman of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Council said in his 40 years of association with the society he had never before seen such an array of outstanding livestock that those shown at this year's Royal Welsh Show.

With more paying public coming through the gates, more society members, more cars using the free car parks, record livestock entries, increased number of tradestands and a hugely successful programme of competitions, the show, which ran for four days last week had exceeded all expectations, he said.

Mr Lewis said: "The livestock exhibits have been truly wonderful this week and I have been thoroughly enthralled with the judging and looked on in amazement.

"Our show is renowned for its relaxed, family atmosphere and the great camaraderie between exhibitors and visitors alike."

The sun once again shined on the annual four-day show.

But in spite of the hot weather which saw temperatures soar to nearly 30 degrees there were no problems for the animals on the showground and the heavy investment that has been made in ventilating the livestock buildings has worked well.

Society board chairman John T Davies said: "Being the greatest show on earth also brings us a duty and a responsibility to strategically look at and capture the energy and enthusiasm that makes this show happen each year.

"We are fortunate to be extremely successful, but we will not be complacent.

"We will build on our accomplishment and over the next few months we aim to put together a strategic medium-term plan to build on the success of the society and the Royal Welsh Show."