Royal Welsh Show partnership wins safety award

11 December 2023

A partnership that supports the safety of visitors during the Royal Welsh Show has won a national award.

The work of the Builth Wells Events Safety Group has been recognised by judges, with the group winning the public safety category at the inaugural Safer Communities Awards, hosted by the Wales Safer Communities Network.

The awards, which took place on Thursday 30 November in Swansea, and hosted by BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio 2's Lyn Bowles, were held to recognise outstanding contributions to community safety in a multi-agency context.

The safety group, which was formed in 2017 and led by Powys County Council, is made up of 14 organisations, with the aim to reduce public risk and improve the safety of those in and around Builth Wells during the period of the Royal Welsh Show.

Over the past few years, measures have been introduced to the town to support safety, such as,

• Safe walking route known as the Green Route
• Medical and wellbeing centre, known as the Help Point, operated by St John Ambulance Cymru from the Strand Hall
• 'Pop up' Help Point providing guidance and welfare support, operated by Powys County Council's Youth Service from the Groe
• Welfare support to be provided by Street Pastors and Youth Workers at night
• Drug amnesty boxes will be placed on approaches to venues in and around Builth Wells
• Communications campaign encouraging people to Have Fun, Take Care and Stay Safe, promoting a safer drinking culture, checking on your friends and responsible behaviour, in a creative and humorous way

Cllr Richard Church, Powys County Council's Cabinet Member for a Safer Powys, said: "I would personally like to congratulate the Builth Wells Events Safety Group for their success at the inaugural Safer Community Awards.

"I am incredibly pleased that the work of the group has been recognised. Every partner plays their own crucial role in helping to ensure the safety of all visitors, whether that's in the build up to the show, or throughout the week, so congratulations to everyone involved!"

Aled Rhys Jones, Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, said: "I am delighted that the Builth Wells Event Safety Group has been recognised for its good work. It really goes to show what can be achieved when different organisations, agencies and businesses work together. Safety is extremely important to the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society and we so are proud of what the group has achieved. I would also like to pay tribute to the Chair, Dr Greg Langridge-Thomas, for his excellent leadership and support.