BEGUN in the reign of George III, the Pembroke Farmers Club can look back upon a very proud history and will soon begin making plans to suitably mark 200 years.

Thanks to the likes of Mr Pat Russell and others the founding of the club is well documented. The annual Town and Country show now held on meadow fields at Lamphey is the visible public activity of a strong and enthusiastic band of supporters.

The Farmers Club, founded in 1817, has continued virtually without a break until the present day and is amongst the oldest surviving bodies of it’s kind in the UK –come the extra special anniversary in 2017 expect special celebrations!

Although the Farmers Club is long established, it does not want to be seen as living in the past and is a forward thinking organisation that fully supports the local economy and agri - food sectors. For many years the annual show has taken place on the first Wednesday in August and attracts entries from some of the very best local breeders of horses, cattle, sheep, dogs and poultry numbering in the hundreds and also boosts more than 80 trade stands displaying their wares.

In an area that caters for numerous holidaymakers special features have been developed including displays of vintage tractors and cars, working demonstrations of farm machinery, sheepdog trials and main ring attractions to welcome people from all walks of life to the show and provide a great family day out.

Highlight of the day was the judging of the supreme champion from all the horse and pony section winners and it was here that Sarah Whitfield scored a remarkable success by taking the trophy for the third successive year with the seven year old chestnut pony and lead rein winner, Barkway Tiara, delightfully ridden by Emily Locke, aged eight.

Standing in reserve was Matt McGivern with the five year old grey Hunter gelding, Kilcannon Kit Cat, shown under saddle.

Kyle Davies stood supreme amongst the cattle entries with his Welsh Black heifer ahead of Patrick Russell with a British Blue bull. Both animals were 30 months of age. The dairy breeds champion was an in calf Jersey heifer named Polo Mint and bred by Rachel Batchelor.

In the sheep pens a two year old Hampshire Down ewe from Eirlys Jones was given best over a local Jacob entry and, in the poultry marquee, Derek Howells, beat of all challengers with his two year old Welsummer bantam cockerel.

Over recent years keen interest has been shown in a section of the show devoted to sheepdog trials, arranged by Stan Harden, which this year saw 75 dogs perform. The sheep were made available by David and Andrew Phillips.

Officials: President - Mr Roger Minchin, Chairman - Mr Terry Watkins, vice - Chairman - Mr Johnathan Hughes, Chief stewards - David Phillips, John Kilcoyne and David John, Secretaries - Elizabeth Minchin, Helen Brickell, Jocelyn Morris and Mary Lou Clewett.

Trophy winners:

HORSES

Supreme: Sarah Whitfield (Show Pony), res. Matthew McGivern (Ridden Hunter).

Hunter, in hand: Paddy Evans, under saddle: Matthew McGivern.

Working Hunter: Mark Meyrick.

Show Hunter Pony: Sarah Whitfield.

Working Hunter Pony: Louise Mear, mini championship: Seren Thorne.

Mountain and Moorland: Sarah Whitfield.

Welsh Pony or Cob: Judith Reed.

Coloured: Gentie Campbell, traditional: Amy Kember.

Fancy dress, mounted: Leyla Pallas, on foot: Lauren and Joe Prout.

CATTLE

Supreme: Kyle Davies (Welsh Black), res. Patrick Russell (British Blue).

Welsh Black: Kyle Davies.

Continental: Patrick Russell.

Commercial: Andrew Phillips.

Baby beef: Patrick Russell.

Dairy: Kyle Davies, group of three: Anna Studwick.

YFC: Jayne Elliott.

Young handlers: Lauren Davies and Ruth Pallis.

SHEEP

Supreme: Eirlys Jones (Hampshire Down).

Suffolk: Eurfryn Hughes.

Border Leicester: Eurfryn Hughes.

Other Lowland: Eirlys Jones.

Texel: Paul Monahan.

Other Continental: B James.

Group of three: Eirlys Jones.

SHEEPDOGS

Trials: 1, Kevin Evans (Jimmy - 11 points), equal 2, John Bowen (Jet and Ned, both - 14), 4, David Howells (Sam - 15).

POULTRY

Supreme: Derek Howells, res. D E Picton Jones.

Waterfowl: Caroline Clarke.

Cage bird: B M Lord.

Junior: Caitlin and Alysha Phillips, eggs: Caity Nutting.

Painting: Katie Nicholls.

Photograph: Helen Parnell.

VINTAGE

Best exhibit: Gordon Harries.

Tractor, restored: Malcolm Rogers, original: David Colley,

Classic tractor, restored: Eufron Davies, original: Stuart Thomas.

Stationary engine: Don Mallams.

Farm implement: Jeff Thomas.

Vintage car: David Gilbert.

Tractor or horse drawn implement: Mark Ferrier.

TRADE STANDS

Large: Brodyr Evans, small: Bellarby’s Horse Bedding.