Welsh Cobs & The Royal Welsh Show 2008

“Frankfurt approach this is Aer Lingus Three .. Two .. Nine at Flight level Three .. Five .. Zero..”

Carolin was already aware of the incoming Boeing 747 which had appeared moments before on her radar screen at Frankfurt airport. Responding politely, in perfect English, she said:

“Good morning Aer Lingus Three .. Two .. Nine.”

She monitored the Irish airliner as it continued along its approved flight path - along with five other approaching aircraft - and then spoke with authority into her VHF radio:

“Aer Lingus 329 descend to altitude 2500 feet, QNH .. One ..Zero .. One .. Five.”

What, you may ask, has this conversation between an air traffic controller in Frankfurt and a Boeing 747 pilot got to do with the Royal Welsh Show?

Allow me to explain.

Last week Wendy and I were attending Europe’s largest agricultural show with more than 230,000 visitors. The Royal Welsh Show is held in Builth Wells and we, alongside other trade exhibitors, were showing our new silver and gold jewellery designs for the 2008 season - including the popular silver and gold daisy jewellery collection!

Our Guest House accommodation in Wales is something quite extra-ordinary. Each morning, at the crack of dawn, we are treated to one of Biddy William's famous full 'Welsh' breakfasts. In the evening there is always a delicious roast dinner served once we return from the Show at 8.30pm sharp! We all sit around a large 18th Century oak dining table and share experiences with the other guests who have come to attend the Royal Welsh Show at Llanelwedd. This year two German air traffic controllers, Carolin and Stefan Klose, had flown to Wales from Frankfurt and booked into the same Guest House - a small Grade II listed cottage in a picturesque valley not far from the Showgrounds. We all immediately became firm friends and Carolin, also a semi-professional photographer, kindly agreed to provide the pictures for this our ‘Royal Welsh’ blog.

Princess Anne opens The Royal Welsh Show 2008

Carolin owns a Welsh Cob stallion called “Old Radnor” and she and Stefan had come to see the famous Welsh Cob Pony competitions held every year at this world renowned event. One of the most stunning spectacles at the show is undoubtedly the running of the Section D Welsh Cob Stallions on the Wednesday afternoon. This attracts huge numbers and the noise from the crowds is matched only by the most excited football fans at a top international game! This is partly down to their enthusiasm for these very special horses and partly as an attempt to actually influence the judge who must make the difficult decision of declaring a very highly prized winner!

This year’s event was judged by the Synod stud breeder Doreen Jones of Gellihen Farm who, along with her husband Cerdin, was also staying at our Guest House ... making our Tuesday evening roast dinner all the more interesting! This appointment is a once in a lifetime honour and one that Doreen was taking very seriously indeed. The winning Stallion can instantly become a

priceless asset as far as future stud fees are concerned! The judge must make a completely impartial and 'objective' decision based on the criteria laid down by the British Show Horse Association. We enjoyed discussing the enormity of the task that lay ahead of Doreen the following day!

Apparently all sections of the Welsh pony and Welsh cob competitions demand horses that are sure-footed with sound feet, dense bone, and that display very hardy characteristics. The ponies should also have a well-laid back shoulder, deep chest, short back, well-sprung rib cage and strong hindquarters. Their legs should be “clean" with good bone, short cannons and correct hocks. Indeed they must exhibit the substance, stamina and soundness of their ancestral bloodstock!

DROGEDA ‘Stormy Tempest‘, a beautiful chestnut displaying lively action and striking beauty in equal measure, was finally named the Stallion Champion Cob by our recent acquaintance, Doreen. It took more than an hour of careful studying of nearly fifty fabulous entries, and a whittling down to an impressive shortlist, before she could be sure. And the George Prince of Wales Perpetual Cup went to junior mare, Trevallion Racheal’s Miracle, a glossy-coated and spirited bay, with quite unusual markings.

DROGEDA ‘Stormy Tempest' - Champion Cob 2008

I am pleased to say that our display of silver and gold jewellery attracted almost as much attention as the famous Welsh Cobs! We were happy to see our regular customers, who have been enthusiastically faithful to us over the past twelve years, at this event. We were delighted to have assisted with two romantic engagements at our stand too and we will be making very special diamond engagement rings for these happy couples!

I must, of course, thank Carolyn Klose for her photographic contributions which have made this blog a really special one. She and Steffan are now on their way back to Frankfurt and I leave them with the rest of my fictitious recording taken from Frankfurt radar control to the approaching Irish 747 jet:

"Aer Lingus Three .. Two .. Nine, you have traffic, a Fokker at one o'clock, two miles, Eastbound," Carolin warned the incoming jet.

The Aer Lingus pilot quickly responded:

"Frankfurt approach .... I've always wanted to say this... I've got the little Fokker in sight!"

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Photos by Carolin Klose for
Paul Wright Jewellery

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Kent County Show 2008

The Kent County Show is the largest outdoor event held in the County and this year saw a fantastic extravaganza of competitions and performances that attracted literally thousands of visitors. One of the main attractions was undoubtedly The Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers who gave us splendid performances in the main arena over the three days ... many of us remember seeing them at last year’s first FA Cup final at the new Wembley Stadium.

Also new this year was the larger Countryside Area that featured Fly-fishing, Ferret Racing, Birds of Prey, Otters, Hounds and other countryside pursuits such as working Gun Dogs. This year saw a greater number of entries in livestock featuring Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Goats, Llamas, Alpacas, Rabbits ... and the welcome return of the Donkey classes on the Sunday!

Titan the Robot returned and once again drew huge crowds wherever he went around the Showground. At an imposing 8 feet tall, he amazed everyone with his singing abilities and flattering comments ... However I think he may have also turned one or two little ones to tears.

The traditional mix of shopping trade-stands seemed to have increased this year. It always amazes me that one can buy almost anything at this show whether it be a porche, a tractor, a holiday, fashionable jewellery or clothing or even extra tuition in mathematics for a struggling ten year old!

Paul Wright Jewellery was once again a popular attraction within the Rural Crafts shopping marquee and the good folk of county Kent were certainly impressed with the new silver daisy jewellery collection not to mention the new range range of diamond wedding rings. Many of the visitors to our stand enthusiastically entered our free prize draw in the hope of winning £50 of designer jewellery on 15 September. If you missed the chance simply log onto the website and send us your name and email address through the contact page and you'll automatically be entered.

The Extra Tuition Centre

This year I met an inspirational educationalist at the Kent Show who was promoting the 'Extra Tuition Centre' based in Gravesend with centres located throughout the county and employing over 100 committed teachers. His name is Shaun Drury. He made me think about the basic skills and abilities we all need to lead successful lives in our chosen professions. A child's education is paramount and weaknesses in any area of their learning can be detrimental in later life.

Let me put this in context. As a jewellery designer I naturally have a talent for art and design which is undoubtedly required to conceptualise and create aesthetically pleasing silver and gold jewellery. However it is also necessary to have mathematical abilities in order to accurately measure and calculate each detailed design in order to ultimately created the original concept. Costing and pricing the jewellery involves a whole range of basic skills and abilities that need to be understood and mastered. Then there is the necessity to be able to use language effectively in order to sell the product and to handle customer enquiries both verbal and written. Yes there is no doubt in order to be a successful jeweller one needs to be more than simply 'good at art and design'.

No matter how good we are at something we will never achieve overall success if we lag behind in other important basic skills. These weaknesses need to be addressed and corrected early on so that, while a child may shine in one particular subject, he or she is still basically competent in all the other necessary skill sets.

I was amazed to learn from Shaun Drury that these weaknesses in a child's education can actually be clearly identified through a series of carefully designed tests and activities that will reveal not only the difficulty but very often the potential cause of that weakness. With this knowledge the Extra Tuition Centre can more fully understand the nature of a child's difficulties and then formulate a series of tailor-made lessons that will correct the fault, possibly over a period as short as just six weeks!

What really impressed me about The Extra Tuition Centre was their progressive approach to education. A very substantial and ongoing investment has been made in modern educational techniques and the use of computer technology that is quite simply years ahead of its time. There is no doubt that many hundreds of children in Kent have already made advances in their education through the help of the 'Extra Tuition Centre' and I look forward to seeing this highly effective approach being rolled out through the United Kingdom in the coming years.

My impression is that no one will stop Shaun Drury's courageous mission - he is a teacher to be reckoned with!

This is a Widget from:
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Diamond Wedding Rings
Diamond Rings, Diamond Engagement Rings and Diamond Wedding Rings. You choose the diamond quality and size and we'll make a diamond wedding ring or diamond engagement ring to be proud of.
Diamond Stud Earrings
A wide range of Diamond Stud Earrings set in yellow or white gold, platinum or silver. Our Diamond Stud Earrings have the very best diamonds. Take a look at our range of Diamond Stud Earrings set in gold, platinum or silver.
Silver Daisy Jewellery
A unique range of handmade silver daisy jewellery to include daisy necklaces, daisy pendants, daisy earrings, daisy bracelets and daisy bangles too!
Handmade Silver Jewellery
Handmade silver earrings, handmade silver necklaces and handmade silver bracelets and silver bangles. Our handmade silver jewellery is the best available with great new silver jewellery designs.
Pearl Stud Earrings
Specialising in cultured pearl stud earrings, pearl necklaces and cultured pearl jewellery of every description. We have Akoya pearl stud earrings, Fresh Water pearl stud earrings and Tahitian pearl stud earrings too.
Handmade Gold Jewellery
Handmade gold earrings, handmade gold necklaces and handmade gold bracelets and gold bangles. Our handmade gold jewellery is the best available with great new gold jewellery designs.

Prince Charles at The Royal Show 2008

"Oh! Hello ... how are you?", the Duchess of Cornwall greeted me as she rounded the very corner where I had strategically positioned myself ... now with my Zeiss camera lens so uncomfortably close to her startled face!

I quickly dropped the camera to my side and stammered nervously, "Oh, how do you do. I'm so pleased to meet you," ... then quickly adding, " ... your Royal Highness."

She smiled and shook my hand gently before turning to HRH Prince Charles who was already engaged in conversation with an Australian visitor to my left.

With all this 'small talk', my opportunity to photograph the heir apparent was fast diminishing and either I pushed forward in the hope of a cordial handshake with Prince Charles himself, or I retrieved my camera ... along with my composure, impolitely focussed my lens at close quarters, and quickly shot an eagerly anticipated 'Royal Portrait' before they moved on! I decided on the latter as being the best course of action.

'Prince Charles and Camilla being greeted by Lord and Lady Salisbury'

I had never before been in such close proximity to British Royalty, and this gloriously sunny day at the 'Royal Show' in Warwickshire, presented a wonderful opportunity to obtain some spectacularly close-up shots of both the heir to the British throne and his wife Camilla.

Prince Charles and Camilla

HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall were making an official visit to the Royal Show on Friday 4 July 2008. The Royal Show has, for many years, offered a rich and diverse array of rural displays, attractions and demonstrations on all aspects of farming and country living. Their Royal Highnesses had been welcomed by an official party including The Marquis of Salisbury, President of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, and Hugh Oliver-Bellasis, Chairman of the RASE Trustees.

'The Coaching Marathon'

The Royal Show began in 1839 and this was the celebration of its 159th year. For 23 years the Royal Show moved from place to place each year but in 1962 was permanantly sited at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire - home of the Royal Agricultural Society of England. This international country event boasts over 1,000 trade stands, world-class lifestock and equine classes and attracts visitors from over 100 countries.

'The Parade of Hounds'

Once again Paul Wright Jewellery was exhibiting a fabulous new range of handmade silver and gold jewellery designs for the 2008 season. However, in addition to the unique shopping opportunities at 'The Royal', there were many other attractions and country events to entertain the expectant crowds. I was personally fascinated by two impressive events which I was fortunate enough to attend during the four day event. The first was the 'Coaching Marathon & Hornblowing Competition' and the second was the 'Parade of Hounds' by kind permission of The Masters. I managed to film both events and include a glimpse of the excitement in the short movie presentation below.

'The Cattle Lines'

Despite the problems experienced with livestock movement, due to the recent 'bluetongue' restrictions, the Cattle Lines were still a popular attraction with an impressive display of cattle breeds including Simmental, Longhorn, Aberdeen Angus, Sussex, Charlais and Linclon Red to name but a few! The Prince of Wales made a point of personally paying a visit to the Cattle Lines while the Duchess visited the the Flower Hall and equine areas.

However, at this point, I had long since departed, having captured the Royal images I came for ... along with some words of advice to help me on my way from one of the smartly suited security men who always accompanies His Royal Highness, "OK that's enough, clear off!"

Diamond Wedding Rings
Diamond Rings, Diamond Engagement Rings and Diamond Wedding Rings. You choose the diamond quality and size and we'll make a diamond wedding ring or diamond engagement ring to be proud of.
Diamond Stud Earrings
A wide range of Diamond Stud Earrings set in yellow or white gold, platinum or silver. Our Diamond Stud Earrings have the very best diamonds. Take a look at our range of Diamond Stud Earrings set in gold, platinum or silver.
Silver Daisy Jewellery
A unique range of handmade silver daisy jewellery to include daisy necklaces, daisy pendants, daisy earrings, daisy bracelets and daisy bangles too!
Handmade Silver Jewellery
Handmade silver earrings, handmade silver necklaces and handmade silver bracelets and silver bangles. Our handmade silver jewellery is the best available with great new silver jewellery designs.
Pearl Stud Earrings
Specialising in cultured pearl stud earrings, pearl necklaces and cultured pearl jewellery of every description. We have Akoya pearl stud earrings, Fresh Water pearl stud earrings and Tahitian pearl stud earrings too.
Handmade Gold Jewellery
Handmade gold earrings, handmade gold necklaces and handmade gold bracelets and gold bangles. Our handmade gold jewellery is the best available with great new gold jewellery designs.