[HappyHippy]

Karen that sounds like a good idea. I'm not a drinker but I may need one by the end of the weekend
Are you learning to judge the pig section? Are you bringing any pigs down with you or just spectating.

You think ?  Why would you need a drink BB ? Are your pigs going to run you ragged round the ring  Maybe you'll be getting congratulatory drinks bought for you 
Yes, I'm on the apprentice judge scheme (hopefully without the 'firing'  ) and much as I'd love to bring pigs down I'm coming by plane and don't think they'd go down too well as hand luggage  So it's just gonna be me minus the pigs this time 

[Berkshire Boy]

Karen, it will be good to meet up and put a face to the name. Regards the pigs running me ragged I tend to look on the bad side and hope I am wrong . The 2 I am bringing have been shown before I bought them so I hope they can remember what we are meant to be doing as I will be a quivering wreck.

[HappyHippy]

Karen, it will be good to meet up and put a face to the name. Regards the pigs running me ragged I tend to look on the bad side and hope I am wrong . The 2 I am bringing have been shown before I bought them so I hope they can remember what we are meant to be doing as I will be a quivering wreck.

If it's any consilation I've only actually been in the ring at one show (and with broken spex and feeling slightly delicate ) and was also a nervous wreck  But it's really good fun and there's really nothing to worry about  You spend all your time just watching your pig and keeping them where they're supposed to be that everything else just 'fades out' - that focus seems to make the nerves go (or maybe it's just me). You'll be fine ! Especially if the pigs have done it before, they don't forget  Just do a bit of practice beforehand to refresh their memory and make sure you've got your white coat at the ready for the day (got to look smart  )
We'll start another seperate thread closer to the time to organise a wee meet up.
Karen 

[Tudful Tamworths]

I live in Caerphilly, but consider Carmarthenshire my spiritual home because I worked there for so long. I try and get down as often as I can and, if the truth be known, I'm hoping to eventually move there.

I'll be at the Royal Welsh Spring Festival (yes, they've renamed it again! May 19/20) with my Tamworths, so look forward to arranging a get-together closer to the time. I'll be showing on the Saturday and giving a talk on starting in smallholding in the afternoon in Speakers' Corner in the South Glamorgan Hall. Will also be launching my latest book, the Haynes Smallholding Manual.

The show schedules have just been sent out, so plenty of time to enter (Closing date April 2 www.royalwelsh.co.uk for more info). The pig competitions are organised by the Wales & Border Counties Pig Breeders' Association and all the exhibitors are a very welcoming bunch, so don't be afraid to enter. We'll all help if it's your first time (and even if it's not!). Unlike many shows, there is a VERY secure ring, boarded to the floor, so no need to worry about your tiny January pigs escaping!

The apres-show socialising is always good, so why not join in? We attract exhibitors from all over the UK and the show is a great way of tipping your toe in the water and seeing if you like showing or not. If anyone wants advice on the show, the venue, etc, please feel free to send me a message.
Liz

[Miss Piggy]

Hi we are just over the border in Ceredigion, certainly hoping to make the Smalllholders show. 

[littlelugs]

  hey we're not far from brynamman we have free range GOS piggies 

[Ty Siriol]

We're just outside Pontarddulais only about 20mins from Carmarthen.

[Bionic]

Hi,
We have just moved in and are between Llandeilo and Llandovery. We intend to keep pigs and chickens but need to get ourselves organised first.

Just remembered I need to change the location on my profile page.

Sally

[Lync]

Hi Sally

Live just outside Llandovery and Myddfai, as earlier post said got 12 chickens and 2 border collies, love some KK's at some point.  We're busy sorting out the house and land!  Good to meet up with some people in the area at some point.           

[Maesgwyn]

We live in Capel Iwan, just outside Newcastle Emlyn and have a Saddle back due to farrow in April and a Berkshire due in June, the latter is going to prove our Berkshire Boar was a good buy! We will also be heading to the show

[Tudful Tamworths]

Hey, there are enough TAS members here to start up a Carmarthenshire - or even a south Wales - branch. Anyone fancy organising a get-together? I'm about an hour away (Caerphilly), but I'd come along, and I'd be happy to pick up others in the south-east if anyone was interested.

[Bionic]

I would definitely be interested in meeting but not sure that I am up for organising it yet.  I am still trying to find my way around.

Sally

[Lync]

   I'm up for a meet as well!       

[Jimbofish67]

Hope to be there by the summer, we will also be based just outside Brynamman, we have hopes of keeping a couple of weaners each year but not until the drainage has been sorted out.
Have booked time off in May so we can visit Royal Spring show, a get together of all the local folk would be good especially for novices like ourselves, posting questions on TAS is great but talking about thing in person would be better still.

Jim

[Blinkers]

Hey, there are enough TAS members here to start up a Carmarthenshire - or even a south Wales - branch. Anyone fancy organising a get-together? I'm about an hour away (Caerphilly), but I'd come along, and I'd be happy to pick up others in the south-east if anyone was interested.

I'd often wondered about whether there should be a West Wales Pig Club.....but South Wales would do just as fine      Let me think about it and I'll come back with some ideas.....or AN idea....if I'm not brain dead by then - completely WOOLLY headed at the moment....lambs, lambs, lambs LOL