A Grand Day Out: The Royal Welsh Show, Abergele, 1950

Fifty years ago the Royal Welsh Show moved to its permanent site at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells. Before then the show was held in a different locality each year. The Royal Commission has recently unearthed an old aerial photograph from the Aerofilms Collection of one of the first shows held after the Second World War. It was held in Abergele on Wednesday–Friday, 26–28 July 1950, the dates were carefully chosen to slot between the Royal Lancashire and the Yorkshire Shows. Figures for the show were high―with attendances of 61,311 and a profit of £3,814, and the site of the show, now occupied by the Maes Canol housing estate, overlooked the marsh towards Rhuddlan and the River Clwyd. The highlight of the show was a display by the Liverpool Mounted Police, who in 1950 regularly patrolled the docks, football matches and race meetings on horseback. In a later account of the show in 1950, Vernon Hughes wrote, “The weather during the three days was warm and sunny, the field was packed with happy, smiling faces, the caterers were busy, and the traders on their stands were obviously pleased with the public, other tents were full of exhibits and, most importantly, the farmers and their families were really enjoying themselves in the summer weather―a sure sign it was a good show.”  Then as now, the Royal Welsh Show was certainly fun for all the family―especially in glorious sunshine!

If  anyone has any memories of the Abergele show in 1950, please visit our Royal Commission stand at the show (CCA 785) and tell us about it or phone the Royal Commission, Tel:- 01970 621200.   Other unique images from the Aerofilms Collection may be viewed on Coflein, the Royal commission’s on-line database.

Notes to Editors:
The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales is the investigation body and national archive for the historic environment of Wales. It has the lead role in ensuring that Wales’s archaeological, built and maritime heritage is authoritatively recorded, and seeks to promote the understanding and appreciation of this heritage nationally and internationally.
Website: www.rcahmw.gov.uk

The Aerofilms Collection
The Aerofilms Collection consists of over one million items, including negatives and photograph albums.  Dating from 1919 to 2006, these images show the changing face of Britain throughout the 20th century. It represents the largest and most significant body of air photographs of Britain taken before 1939.

This very large collection of historical air photographs was acquired by English Heritage, in partnership with the Royal Commissions on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales and Scotland in 2007. The collection is jointly managed by the three partners.

For further information please contact:
Nicola Roberts, The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales nicola.roberts@rcahmw.gov.uk  Tel: 01970 621248    Mobile: 07866050316

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