AN ABERGELE farmer has been chosen to be the president of the Royal Welsh Show for 2020.

Harry Featherstonhaugh has had a long relationship with the show, having been a steward for 42 years and director for 25. His father was also director and between then they will have clocked up 45 years in the post. Harry farms at Coed Coch near Abergele.

Each year the show has a different host area, with Clwyd: including Flintshire, Wrexham, Denbighshire and Conwy, having been chosen for 2020.

Over the course of their year each area takes particular responsibility for fund raising, organising a variety of events, big and small during their year to raise funds to support the development of the show ground at Llanelwedd near Builth Wells and promote the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, its work and shows and events."

The Clwyd 2020 committee has already started to organise and plan fundraising events, with three area groups being established to arrange fundraising across the area.

So far there has been frog and horse racing nights, a bingo with fish and chips night and a 60s/70s/80s night to kick start the fundraising, with a clay pigeon shoot, various concerts and a weekend of activities at Ruthin Market being planned.

Harry, who has four sons, said: “I am hugely honoured to have been elected president for Clwyd’s year in 2020. The whole ethos of the Royal Welsh is that it’s a team effort. I hope here brings a fun two years Clwyd will be proud of.”

He added: “Becoming President it is the most tremendous honour especially when you have been chosen by your peers.”