Sponsors rally round County Show (From Western Telegraph)

Sponsors rally round County Show

Hope of a record comeback for the County Show this summer was rekindled at Pembrokeshire Agricultural Societys Withybush showground on Thursday evening when generous support was pledged by sponsors old and new.

A well attended Sponsors Evening signalled the continued loyal support following last years cancellation of the show due to the Foot and Mouth disease crisis.

President, Mr Len Thomas, who remains in office for a second year, told the guests that, linking their businesses through sponsorship with one of the oldest agricultural societies in the country offered them a gilt-edged marketing opportunity and real value for money. During the early half of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Societys 218-year history the sponsors had been the local gentry, he said. The modern-day sponsors had inherited this proud tradition of patronage.

Secretary, Mr Barry Vaughan, said businesses were nowadays looking for real value for money in sponsorship deals and the packages offered by the Society were certainly worthwhile.

We offer you the opportunity to reach 100,000 people over the three days of the show and many more through an event that generates over £7m in the local economy, he said. Among the guests was J. E. Lawrence and Son Ltd, can boast over half a century of loyal support, while major sponsorship this year has been ofered by Lloyds TSB with a £3,000 package. Carmarthen-based Regional Agricultural Manager for Wales, Mr Gwilym Francis, said: We see great advantages in sponsoring the Pembrokeshire show, which reaches a great number of people and is the largest in Wales next to the Royal Welsh.

Guest speaker Mr Brian Harries also stressed the value of the mutual benefits offered to sponsor and recipient and wished the Agricultural Society a bumper show this year to make up for last years disappointing cancellation.