A THRILLING line-up of main ring attractions is promised at the 2007 Royal Welsh Smallholder and Garden Festival which is expected to set another record attendance this year.

Growing numbers of smallholders and gardeners from across the UK flock to the Royal Welsh Showground at Builth Wells each year for a weekend of displays, livestock and poultry judging, sales, lectures and entertainment.

The event - at the Builth Wells showground, Powys, on May 19 and 20 - attracted more than 24,000 visitors in 2006 and this year's event is expected to be the biggest and best ever.

The two-day show is run by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society in conjunction with Smallholder magazine, part of the Newsquest Media Group, one of the UK's largest regional newspaper publishers, who own South West Farmer.

Performing in the main ring will be twin sisters Janine and Justine Pendlebury, whose Pen-Llyn classical dressage team of Lusitano horses is delighting audiences across the UK. The horses and their riders give theatrical performances that are choreographed to music.

They will be joined by Ray and Wendy Alicker, whose popular Ye Olde Redtail Falconry Display has been entertaining audiences for more than 20 years. They will show the natural attributes and abilities of these birds and how they live, fly and hunt in the wild.

Also featuring in the main ring will be the Rockwood Dog Display Team from Caerphilly in South Wales. Formed in 1985 the team delivers a fun-packed exhibition of daring stunts and clever routines.

An added incentive at this year's show is that cash prizes will be on offer for smallholders who can invent a labour-saving gadget for use around the farm. Entries must be received before March 31 and the winning gadgets will be on display at the show.

Smallholder editor Liz Wright will be at Builth Wells with her Newsquest colleagues and a panel of smallholding experts to meet readers and answer questions.

Liz said: "This is a truly hands-on' show which offers a competitive livestock schedule combined with a mini-Chelsea. Smallholder magazine is pleased to be there for what has become a must' for smallholders the length and breadth of Britain."

The daily admission charge is £7 for adults and £3 for children. Family tickets which admit two adults and up to three children cost £17 per day or £30 for the weekend. Camping and caravanning facilities are available at the showground and further information can be obtained by ringing the RWAS on 08445 450 630 or by logging on to www.rwas.co.uk.

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