The Royal Welsh show plays an important part in the National Assembly for Wales’s calendar. On 18 July, the National Assembly for Wales Bus made its way to Llanelwedd to host a number of activities and events for stakeholders and passers-by throughout the week. On the first day of the show, Monday 18 July, William Powell AM, Chair of the Petitions Committee, visited the Bus and hosted a drop-in session where members of the public could come onto the bus to find out how they could influence Assembly business through petitioning. This proved to be a very popular session that lasted well over two hours with three potential petitions being discussed. On the Tuesday 19 July, the Environment and Sustainability Committee hosted an official Committee meeting in the Young Farmers’ building where the Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and European Programmes set out his priorities and answered Members’ questions. This was followed by an informal round table meeting where agricultural organisations presented their priorities to the new Committee. The Presiding Officer had a packed calendar at this year’s show. Rosemary Butler AM visited a number of stands at the show and held meetings with organisations including the BBC, ITV Wales, National Farmers Union, Farmers Union Wales, Age Cymru and the Countryside Council for Wales. The purpose of these meetings was to discuss the priorities for these organisations in the coming years, and to establish how the Assembly, with its new powers, can ensure that these issues are brought to the fore. The highlight of the week was the Presiding Officer’s reception in the Governors and Vice Presidents’ Pavilion which saw a number of Assembly Members and key stakeholders enjoy a traditional Welsh tea and a conversation with  the Presiding Officer.  

 

 

The Presiding Officer Rosemary Butler AM delivering her speech at the National Assembly’s stakeholder Reception at the Royal Welsh.

 

The Presiding Officer Rosemary Butler AM talking to guests at the National Assembly’s Reception at the Royal Welsh

 

The Presiding Officer Rosemary Butler AM Carmarthen Harpist, Teleri Gravell, and Teleri’s mother. Teleri provided the music at the National Assembly’s Reception at the Royal Welsh.

 

 

The Presiding Officer Rosemary Butler AM being interviewed by Roy Noble while visiting the BBC stand at the Royal Welsh.

 

 

The Presiding Officer Rosemary Butler AM talking with radio presenter Jason Mohammad while visiting the BBC stand at the Royal Welsh.

 

 

The Presiding Officer Rosemary Butler AM with ITV Wales co-anchor Andrea Benfield on the ITV Wales news set at the Royal Welsh.

 

 

The Presiding Officer Rosemary Butler AM talking to guests at the National Assembly’s Reception at the Royal Welsh.

 

 

The Presiding Officer Rosemary Butler AM talking to guests at the National Assembly’s Reception at the Royal Welsh.

 

 

The Presiding Officer Rosemary Butler AM visiting the Age Cymru stand at the Royal Welsh and hearing about their campaign to introduce older people to the benefits of using digital technologies.

 

 

The Presiding Officer Rosemary Butler AM meeting DJ Bethan Elfyn on the BBC stand at the Royal Welsh.

 

 

The Presiding Officer Rosemary Butler AM being introduced to Skype at the Age Cymru stand at the Royal Welsh.

 

 

Presiding Officer Rosemary Butler AM with NFU President Ed Bailey at the NFU stand at the Royal Welsh.

 

 

Presiding Officer Rosemary Butler AM with FUW President Emyr Jones at the FUW stand at the Royal Welsh.