AN unaccustomed calm pervades the wide open spaces of the Withybush Showground which would normally be buzzing with County Show activity this week.

Empty show rings, deserted car parks, vacant trade stand pitches and unpopulated avenues make a forlorn sight as, for the first time since the war, the three-day show has fallen victim to the foot and mouth crisis.

But show officials are taking a positive view of their enforced break and are planning to come back with a bumper spectacle in August 2002, when the National Eisteddfod is also held in the county.

Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society is determined to make the 2002 show a memorable and spectacular event, said President Len Thomas, who will retain office for another year.

The County Show injects £7 million into the local economy, and so many people, not just from the farming community, look forward to the event. Many people, especially exhibitors, take their summer holidays to coincide with the show.

The President, who has had a long association with the show and has built up its horticulture, arts and crafts section into a major attraction, said that events have been planned to maintain interest. These include a promise auction in the County Show Pavilion in mid November and a Spring Ball in the Parkhouse Exhibition Centre.

Show secretary Barry Vaughan said the society is grateful to those vice-presidents, sponsors and members who have loyally continued with their subscriptions and fees or taken out the new deal life memberships and vice-presidencies being offered as part of the societys cash-flow plan.

Their loyal support will help tide us over to the build-up for next years show for which plans are already being made, he added.

l In the County Shows absence, the two-day inaugural West Wales ShowJumping Club show opens at Mallards Reach, Camrose, today (Wednesday).

It is targeted at Pembroke-shire riders and includes showing classes but no BSJA classes, so that competitors from outside the county are discouraged and foot and mouth precautions are observed.

Show President Len Thomas on the empty showground. But he is optimistic about a bumper show in 2002. PICTURE: Norman Owen, Western Telegraph.