Awesome agriculture

Entrants travel from far and wide to compete in a thrilling four days of livestock and equine competitions at the Royal Welsh Show. This year’s event takes place from 24th-27th July and has something for everyone – from forestry and crafts to horticulture and countryside sports, plus a full programme of exciting entertainment, attractions and displays each day.

With the emphasis on celebrating rural life and the smallholder, the festival will be packed full with interesting things to see, delicious food and drink, live music, shopping, demonstrations, fun educational activities and all manner of livestock, horses and other animals taking part in a busy schedule of competitions and displays.

The Royal Welsh Show takes place at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells and gates open at 8am. Tickets are £35 (ages 5-15 £10, under-5s free). www.rwas.wales

DID YOU KNOW?

The RAF Falcons parachute team will drop in on Monday and Tuesday

A town with a tale Picture

The unspoilt town of Llandrindod Wells hosts its Victorian Festival on 21st-27th August. Head to Temple Gardens for daily bandstand concerts, costume parades, children’s workshops and magic shows. The National Cycle Museum will parade some of its oldest exhibits. Evening entertainment includes a male voice choir, music hall, a ball and mystery banquet, with a torchlight procession and fireworks finale. www.victorianfestival.co.uk

High notes, high summer

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 6TH-27TH AUGUST

Join Mid Wales Opera for their fabulous Friends of MWO concert in the Grade I listed gardens of Gregynog Hall, near Newtown. Led by music director and pianist Charlotte Forrest, the concert on 23rd July will feature talented young performers from Wales and beyond. Bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawns beforehand (from 5pm). Tickets are £18 (child £5) from www.midwalesopera.co.uk

Immerse yourself in film, sound and poetry on a three-day Arts and Ecology Retreat at the Centre for Alternative Technology. Using the beautiful Machynlleth site to source material, you’ll learn how to identify plants and flowers and discover their photographic properties through hands-on filmmaking. It runs from 21st-24th July and costs £350 with full board (sharing) for three nights. www.cat.org.uk

Back to nature

Bushcraft is not just about survival, it’s about everyday life skills and our understanding of the natural world –from fire lighting and tool use to foraging, herbal medicine and cooking in nature. So if you’d like to spend more time outdoors, getting closer to nature, learning new skills and discovering what plants you can eat, Bushcraft Overnight on 12th-13th August at Denmark Farm Conservation Centre near Lampeter is for you! It’s £160 per person, which includes dinner on Saturday, breakfast and lunch on Sunday, campfire snacks and drinks. Book at www.denmarkfarm.org.uk

•6th August, Future Stars Sparkle & Shine, 1st Clives Own Welshpool Scout HQ & Community Centre, Welshpool

A new dog-grooming event for people who haven’t competed before and those who would like feedback for their professional development. From 8.30am. Spectators £5, class entries vary.

•7th-12th August, Horsemanship Trail Riding Clinic, Brandy House Farm, Felindre, Knighton Focusing on developing ridden and ground skills in the arena before applying those lessons out on the trail, using Guy Robertson’s horsemanship programme. Clinic fee £600 (excludes livery and accommodation).

•12th August, Sioe Llanfyllin Show, Bodfach Park, Llanfyllin Entertainment for all the family, including horses, sheep, floral art, cookery, vintage machinery, dog show, fun fair and trade stands, plus Ben Atkinson and his amazing equine team. 9am. £12 (age 4-15 £5, under-4s free).

•19th August, Montgomery Show With activities, displays and lots of competitions it’s a fantastic family day out, kicking o with the Carnival Parade from the town centre to the showground at 11.30am.

•26th-27th August, Model Railway Exhibition, The Corris Railway, Y Plas, Machynlleth

Featuring a diverse mixture of layouts in various scales, plus railway-related items and books for sale. 10am. £8 (age 5-15 £4, under-5s free).