PEMBROKESHIRE Agricultural Society had a successful though challenging year in 2013, with the County Show returning yet another £100,000 profit.

Speaking at the society’s AGM, general manager Alex Bruce said: “The County Show was a success and the financial results show a third consecutive year of profitability in excess of £100,000, despite a significant investment in staff, infrastructure and equipment.

“These results are a reflection of effective business management and good work by the estates, sponsorship and promotions and marketing committees.”

Mr Bruce highlighted the show’s “best ever survey results,” with 46% of those surveyed stating that they found nothing unsatisfactory or needing improvement. But he stressed that the show still needed further improvement and the build-up of reserves sufficient to counter a possible wash-out by bad weather.

Treasurer Malcom Lewis echoed this view, reporting that the last three years had seen a period of financial security, with total profits of around £100,000 between 2011 and 2013 and an improvement in free reserves from £25,285 in 2010 to £313,796 last year. This had been achieved by careful planning and sound financial management.

Outgoing president, Mike Davies, paid tribute to all those who had made his year of office a success and an enjoyable and memorable experience for him and his wife Ann, and also stressed the need for a healthy reserve as two wet days could wipe out a show profit of £50,000.