United Counties Showground Carmarthen. Now fully open again!
The United Counties agricultural and Hunter Society, a not-for-profit registered charity, formed almost a hundred and fifty years ago. It is now open again and fully operational following the pandemic lockdown. The site and buildings have been fully refurbished.
During its long history the Society has dealt with and survived many economic downturns, including two world wars, the 1930s depression, and numerous disease outbreaks including ‘Foot-and-Mouth’ and TB, all of which impacted negatively on the rural and farming community. The latest Covid pandemic saw the site close to normal activities as it was sequestrated for use by the National Health Service subcontractors for both testing and inoculation. Estimates suggest half a million people passed through the site during the two-year pandemic.
The site of the show comprises 55 acres of open parkland for all different types of events and for easy parking, ample tarmacadam roads and toilets. The covered area consists of the main exhibition hall, which offers 24,000 square feet, supported by further buildings providing 1000 square feet and 500 square feet, suitable for smaller events. All are supported by indoor toilets and kitchen facilities.
The Showground site runs directly alongside the A40 dual carriageway West, and so has unobstructed access from all the main access routes. It is just over an hour from Cardiff and the Valleys. The easy access and simple parking, including the four-lane entry to the site, makes this one of the fastest and easiest sites in Wales to access.
Musical and entertainment festivals have also proved popular, beer festivals and drive-in cinemas, and children’s entertainment being typical affordable entertainment cost. The exhibition hall is ideal for sporting events including team training, indoor boxing and wrestling, and dog training. Outdoors, the site is used for cross-country running and team sports. Vintage cars, tractors and lorries always attract large crowds.
There are many horse events at the show, ranging from ponies to dressage stock, many are qualifying events to allow entry to larger events up-country. The Society does not forget its roots as a rural and agricultural venue and promotes the Welsh dairy show, which is become one of the most important business events for farmers in Wales.
As with all entertainment venues, the society has invested heavily in social media and websites to make booking for both exhibitors and visitors much simpler. The IT system installed now means that tickets can be booked online for events and exhibitors can also book stands and exhibition spaces. This makes the whole process simple and people get and instant response to their requests. The system is also used for marketing purposes to contact regular users of the facilities through social media. The website is linked to the payment system the accounting and banking processes. It also integrates with the marketing software. This reduces costs for visitors and for the Showground administration.
Carmarthen Showground and the work of the United Counties Society, which was originally established over hundred and fifty years ago with the objective of bring new ideas to the rural community and to offer a facility for livestock and equipment improvement remains the same today. Coupled to this it has always tried to provide leisure and entertainment to the hard working rural residents who would otherwise have to travel.
The work of the United Counties Society, even though it itself is a not-for-profit charity, brings considerable income into West Wales. Each time an event is held the local hospitality and retail sector benefit from the additional foot flow, valued at millions of pounds per annum. In total, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of people visit the site each year and it is one of the largest visitor attractions in West Wales.
Anyone who wishes to hire the facilities or promote an event, however large or small should contact the Manager and Society Secretary, Mrs Mair James who will be only too happy to discuss your requirements in detail. Potential users are welcome to visit the Showground to see the facilities and to discuss the problems of promoting events which the Society are pleased to advise on such as Health and Safety, Policing, Fire and First Aid, Insurance, Security, Marquee hire, waste disposal and supply of electricity and catering. We can also assist with marketing your event using our on-line systems.
