[garden cottage]

thought we might have a mosy on down to the smallholder show this year on sat, anyone around wales on the forum going? if so see you there.....................neil

[doganjo]

I think they are leaving tomorrow.

[danndans]

I was going  .....................but i'm covering for my little sis in the "race for life" now, she had a stroke yesterday and wont be doing it now 
brilliant show tho enjoy it any one who goes 

[Castle Farm]

I don't live very far from Builth Showground and attend most of the shows held there.
28.000 went to the smallholder weekend last yera..Weather looks a bit iffy but loads of indoor stuff to see.

[Fluffywelshsheep]

yeap mum has set off up their she is about 1hours drive from there she is selling her products she will be in the Woodland Section in Floral Hall (they are the ones with the lathe and a BIG white tent no roof inside the floral hall (woodland turnery)).

Linz

[Castle Farm]

Well I hope she is inside as it's chucking it down outside and I mean really pouring.Typical Hay Festival weather.

[Fluffywelshsheep]

yeap she is inside with e wood lathe also inside a the floral hall and then inside their marquie tent thing with no roof (it help keep the dust and shaving down from the lathe

[Rosemary]

We went - it was great. Will be back next year. Full report to follow!

[garden cottage]

well we went on sat, good show super stalls,bargain of the day was on one of the livestock equipment stalls shearing clippers wolseley harrier normally 280 new, 1 second hand pair only little use £130 so we snapped them up, did my very first shearing on sunday, what a superb piece of kit, will never be an expert but their looking very tidy,got the girls in the barn early because of the awful rain just lately,fleeces are nice and dry so im doing a few at a time, ryelands are quiet a challenge for a beginner legs and heads are a pain but patience will win through.........................neil

[danndans]

I'll have a look for a step by stepguide to shearing, peasridge do one,very good clearstep by steppikis you can print of..............i'llhave a look now and post the link

[danndans]

http://www.animalmagic.uk.net/peasridge/clipperadvice/clippingadvice_sheep.php 

here you go.....found it   

[Castle Farm]

I think the Smallholder show is losing out on an opportunity to demonstrate skills and things new comers to smallholdings need to know.
Putting a fence up without using a tractor to bang the posts in..various ways of tightening the wire up.
Dagging sheep with a hand shears.
Drenching and worming.
Handling livestock
Culling poultry and dressing.
Training a sheepdog at different stages.
A thousand things one needs to know but was afraid to ask.

Robots .
Dogs jumping through hoops of fire

£10 entry fee is a bit steep I think.£1 90 for a cup of coffee likewise..£4.80 for a jacket potato and beans

[Andrew]

I had a thoroughly enjoyable time. Don't think I have eaten so much, drank so much and laughed so much for a very long time. Excellent show and fabulous company even camping was good.

[Fluffywelshsheep]

I (well mum does)have a contact with a member of the commity if you want to could always contact them and give them your ideas?

Linz

[Rosemary]

Castle Farm - Demos would be great - will you tell the organisers or will I? I thought the prices were OK - we bought tickets in advance so they were half the price of the Highland Show. We had a full breakfast for £5.80 including tea and a main meal for £6 at night, which I thought was good value.

Andrew - we had such a good time. My face is still sore from laughing.

One of the puzzles for us was how the folk with the red Nissan X Trail, who were next to us on the campsite, managed to get a two furrow plough on to the roof rack of the car