All Welsh schools could be open during the week of the Royal Welsh Show from 2026 if a Welsh Government consultation on changes to the school year gets the green light. The proposal is for the summer term to be extended by one week, meaning schools won’t have broken up in time for the Royal Welsh Show. We believe this could endanger the Show’s future.
The RWAS is NOT against the principle of modifying the school year. It is asking the government to reconsider their proposed holiday dates so that the Royal Welsh Show is always in the summer holidays.
The RWAS is asking all its supporters to oppose the consultation before 12 February 2024.
We are unable to provide a template to complete the consultation as there is a danger that Welsh Government would not include your consultation response as an individual response if it was from a template.
Therefore, please use your own words to respond. You can use your own views, or some of the points which follow or a mix of both. But please remember to use your own words. The following red link takes you to the consultation. You will see there are several ways to respond. You don’t have to answer everything in the online questionnaire. You may want to just write your own paragraph outlining your objections and submitting that by email or post.
The addresses are provided in this red link.
The structure of the school year | GOV.WALES
Possible points to include.
- The show is a highlight for many across Wales.
- It is a major cultural festival and gives the economy approximately £40 million boost each year. There is almost a £10 million visitor spend during the event.
- With close to a quarter of a million visitors, the Royal Welsh Show is considered the largest agricultural show of its kind in Europe and puts Wales on the map.
- This proposed change would deny the opportunity for young people to legally attend, compete, learn, and showcase their skills.
- Visitor surveys show that 68% of visitors attend with their family.
- 70% of our members are part of family groups.
- Not allowing families to attend would be a major blow to our values and ethos.
- Preliminary calculations show that the changes would lead to a £1 million+ loss of income (reduced gate sales, membership, and camping revenue.)
- Reduced attendance would also impact exhibitors and caterers’ trade and the local, regional, and national businesses who benefit from the event.
- The Royal Welsh Show hires over 50 school buses for the park and ride facility each year. If schools remain open during show week, these buses will not be available.
- The Society relies on almost 1,000 volunteers. Many are families and teachers who would not be able to attend if the proposals become reality.
- We are proud that the Royal Welsh Show leads in celebrating our unique culture and language.
- Two-thirds of Royal Welsh Show visitors do not work in agriculture.
- The Royal Welsh Show is fundamentally important to promoting the agricultural industry and bridging the divide between urban and rural communities.
- There would be enormous practical challenges if the Government forced the show to change its dates.
- Moving to a week or two later, would impact on other major agricultural events and the National Eisteddfod.
- Many of our contractors and suppliers operate at both events and this would seriously impact on their availability.
- Also, Welsh Government is proposing to shorten the summer holidays in two phases. The first phase would see the holidays reduce from six weeks to five, with the ultimate aim of reducing to four. If the Royal Welsh Show was to change dates, would we move once or twice?
The RWAS is aware that there is a determination in Welsh Government to force this through even though it is has been widely condemned by the teachings unions, representatives of the tourist industry and the farming community. Many of the organisations that represent these groups have met and agree that the initial step to halt this reform is to get as many people to respond to the consultation as possible.
Please let the Welsh Government know how precious the Royal Welsh Show is to us all and that it is essential that it is held during schools’ summer holidays.
The structure of the school year | GOV.WALES. The consultation ends on 12 February.
Thank you. Diolch.
