UVO GOES TO THE SHOWS

UVO has attended two local shows within the catchment this year; one at Brecon Show on Saturday 2nd August with UVO’s own stand and gazebo, the other at Talybont-on-Usk on Saturday 23rd August sharing a marquee.

UVO at Brecon Show, 3rd August 2025

Brecon Show was our first outing with our newly donated gazebo; a trial run produced a few technical hitches but these were soon overcome and a shady space was welcomed by volunteers and stand visitors alike. We had hoped to live-stream images to a laptop for the public to enjoy but, nature being as it is, the ospreys had a day off from the nest. Maybe they were at the Show too, most of Breconshire seemed to be there. The day was divided into three shifts from 7.30am until well after 6.00pm - this in addition to erecting the stand in readiness the evening before the Show - and manned by a combination of trustees, committee members and watchers. A great group effort! Many interesting and meaningful conversations were had with people from all backgrounds and networking by the volunteers with other conservation exhibitors made it a very worthwhile and a seemingly successful event, if rather hot.

UVO at Talybont Show, 23rd August 2025

Talybont-on-Usk Show was the next venue, an altogether different scale but equally rewarding in terms of a tremendous local interest. Obviously, this year most Talybont residents seemed well-aware of the presence of the nest and its importance to biodiversity and to Talybont generally, whereas last year there was an element of notification and education to local people. However, there was still a good proportion of Show-goers who did not know about the ospreys including people from as far afield as Australia and America. An important and interesting aspect was the enthusiasm from the children, many of whom had entered into competitions creating nests and images of the birds which were exhibited in the domestic section in the hall itself (see examples below). Bringing on board the interest and involvement of young people was very evident at this Show.

All in all two very different events but equally encouraging and beneficial for the future of ospreys in the Usk valley!