Sir,

Mr. Meyrick Brown's critical and unreasonable remarks belittling the Pembroke Farmers Club and the running of the show is both inaccurate and unfair.

In the first place, there never has been any rivalry between Pembroke and the Brecon society. Furthermore, we have never claimed to be the oldest, however what we have claimed is that dating from 1817 we are older than the Royal Welsh and the now defunct Royal Show of England. We, too, don't wish to compete with our own splendid County Show.

Pembroke is rather different from many other agricultural societies as it draws its members from a number of organisations and professions outside farming. It is custom that the chairman is one year a farmer and the next from another occupation. The first Wednesday in August was chosen to coincide with the local early closing. This date still seems the most suitable for both the holidaymakers and the locals. It is indeed the prime date.

Also Mr. Brown accuses the club of living in the past - another one below the belt! It was in fact the Pembroke Farmers Club that formed the South Pembs YFC which has thrived so well over the last 70 years. The young farmers play an active part in running the show. Some who started exhibiting and stewarding at Pembroke have gone on to win at the Royal Welsh and other shows.

Andrew Phillips at the last Winter Fair became the champion young stock handler of Wales. Eighteen-year-old Huw Rees, from Hundleton, who is learning farming with Messrs. James Bros, Langdon Mill, was selected as this year's Royal Welsh student of the year. Rachel Hughes, from St. Florence, was last year's outstanding lady ambassador for the County Show. If there was a prize for catering, our young farmers who provided such a good show lunch for so many at the Lamphey Village Hall would have been awarded a gold medal.

We are proud of our heritage and even more proud of our young people who are following on.

Mr. Brown is a decent chap, but living in the north of the county seems to be a little out of touch on this occasion.

Pat Russell,

Stackpole.