THE president of this year's Llanfyllin Show will not have too far to travel to attend the event, as she lives next to the showground at Bodfach Park and owns some of the land on which it is held.

This summer has marked the end of Janet Jones' four decade teaching career but throughout her career, she has kept coming home to Parc, Llanfyllin, which was built by her grandparents in the 1950s.

In recent years, her working week has reduced to two days and she has spent most of her time in Llanfyllin with her partner, John. In retirement, she plans to get involved in the community activities.

It is also a special year for the show itself, celebrating its 150th anniversary on Saturday, August 10, which fills Janet with pride.

“I am very honoured to be president, but it’s also very daunting because it’s a huge responsibility with it being the 150th anniversary,” she said. “I am really looking forward to the day.

“Generations of families have supported the show and I think that is a big plus for Llanfyllin. The only times there hasn’t been a show was during the two world wars and during foot and mouth disease, that’s a very impressive record of bringing the community together.

“Having attended a lot of the show committee meetings this year, I have been so impressed by all the hard work, which is all done voluntarily, to organise the show.”

Janet has attended Llanfyllin Show since childhood and says it has always been a highlight of the year.

“The show is a big part of the yearly cycle when the local community comes together and old friends get to meet up,” she said.

“I have always enjoyed the show and my children come every year, so the cycle goes on. This year, we have grandchildren coming and they will be looking to enter the open classes for children.”

Janet is not the first member of her family to become president, as her cousin, Gwynn Jackson-Jones, held the post in 2008.

Janet has also helped to collate donated material for the show’s 150th anniversary display. She and former show chairman, Derwenna Davies, recently spent an afternoon researching the show’s history in Newtown Library’s archives.

The show is held at Bodfach Park thanks to the Bodfach Trust and Janet. This year's star attraction is the Broke FMX Stunt Display Team which will give two electrifying displays of freestyle motocross.

Another highlight is the sheep shearing competition, which brings together some of the best sheep shearers from across Wales.

New this year is circus skills, while old favourites include Porthywaen Silver Band, a village green, a vintage machinery display, a fun fair, children’s activities, a donkey derby and a good selection of trade stands.