The Royal Welsh Show 2022 – a report from GWCT Wales

Despite the record-high temperatures last week at Llanelwedd near Builth Wells, the Royal Welsh Show 2022 still saw attendees visit in their thousands. This year’s show also proved to be a great success for the GWCT Wales team.

The hot topic (excuse the pun) for this year’s show was the recent announcement of the Sustainable Farming Scheme by the Welsh Government. Similar to the Sustainable Farming Incentive in England, this new scheme in Wales will replace the Basic Payment Scheme for farmers (see Sustainable farming scheme - GWCT Cymru response to consultation - Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust for more information on GWCT Wales’ role). With this in mind, the show provided an excellent opportunity to discuss the future of farming and biodiversity in Wales with Welsh farmers, ministers, policymakers and a variety of other organisations.

Indeed, on Tuesday 19^th June, we launched the new GWCT Wales Farming Community (New Welsh Farming Community set to be launched at the Royal Welsh Show - Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (gwct.org.uk)). Following the Working Conservationists approach developed by the GWCT, the Farming Community will provide a platform for farmers to share information on improving biodiversity; access advice and support from GWCT; and inform the future of agricultural policy in Wales.

Kindly hosted by FUW, the Farming Community launch included updates on projects in Wales by Projects Manager Lee Oliver, such as the Sustainable Management Schemes and those projects engaging with farmers. A particular focus was on the Welsh Farmland Bird Initiative (Welsh Farmland Bird Initiative - Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (gwct.org.uk)), an EIP project coordinated by Head of Education and Advisor for Wales Matt Goodall, which is yielding some very promising initial findings regarding the benefits of cover crops to farmland birds on pastoral farms.

We were also able to hold a panel discussion during the launch. The panel consisted of Teresa Dent (CEO of GWCT), James Owen (Deputy Director of the Land Management Reform Division of the Welsh Government), Nick Fenwick (FUW Head of Policy), Geraint Davies (NRW Board Member and farmer) and Richard Anthony (farmer). Chaired by Sue Evans, GWCT Director for Wales, the launch was very well attended and numerous topics were discussed including tree planting, hedgerow management and carbon stocks to name a few. We hope to encourage further similar discussions through our new GWCT Wales Farming Community – visit GWCT Wales Farming Community – Working Conservationists pioneering wildlife-friendly farming if you’re interested in being a part of these conversations.

Away from the meetings, the GWCT Wales stand received a high number of visits from people of all ages and backgrounds, thanks to the variety of interactive activities we had on offer. There were numerous displays relating to our work in Wales including deer skulls and skins, mink rafts designed by GWCT and Perdix Farmland Feeders. The bird songs emitted from our stand did indeed make people stop and ask questions!

Running throughout the week was our Curlew Art Competition which is aiming to engage children in curlew conservation. In conjunction with the Welsh Game Fair (which will be held at the Vaynol Estate from 9^th to 11^th September), the challenge is for children to create a picture of a curlew and be in with the chance of winning art materials for their schools. We had dozens of entrants and the competition doesn’t close until 31^st August so there is still time for children to enter. Simply take a photo of the picture and email it to loliver@gwct.org.uk, and the winners will be showcased at the Welsh Game Fair.

Although the Royal Welsh may be over, it’s now time to look ahead and get excited for the Welsh Game Fair. Roll on September!