This is the time when communities throughout Powys put on their summer shows.

I live in Cwmdu and we always have a wonderful show here in July - this year I ran the tombola there to raise awareness of, and money for, the two domestic abuse charities in Powys that I am supporting. Now I’m looking forward to Brecon Show – the oldest in the UK. And I’ll be visiting at least one show in Montgomeryshire.

But the big one is, of course, the Royal Welsh in Llanelwedd. It is a meeting place for farmers from all over Wales, and it also brings together visitors from all other Britain and the world. And it emphasises the crucial role agriculture plays in our economy.

For me this year the Royal Welsh was an opportunity to learn about, and to support, a number of charities and voluntary organisations that are working at the Show itself, or that more generally look after the mental and physical health of the farming community.

Farmers are isolated and they are the sort of people who don’t tend complain about their own health. So the initiative launched at the Show by the Farming Community Network (www.fcn.org.uk) and Macmillan Cancer Care to encourage early identification of cancer is a brilliant one.  Equally brilliant is the work of the Samaritans, Tir Dewi and YFC Cymru (https://www.samaritans.org/wales/samaritans-cymru/about-samaritans-cymru/our-farming-our-future/) to help those in rural communities who feel suicidal.

There are also more immediate needs. Each night of Show week, the hub in Builth brings together St John Ambulance, the police, ambulance, fire service, street pastors and Powys County Council staff. Inevitably there are people visiting the Show who need their services late into the night. I saw what a magnificent job they do. I particularly admire the volunteers who often take holiday from their jobs to be able to help. 

For me, I’m looking forward to doing a lot more in my High Sheriff role. Any suggestions from readers are welcome. You can email me [email protected]. You can also follow me on my Facebook page High Sheriff of Powys, or on X (formerly Twitter) @USPowysHS