I also went today thought I would go down to take some photos of the parade and I too was dissapointed, the parade as you say was over in two minutes, the only thing I found of interest was the Birds of Prey, I also found that there was no information on the programme saying any times in which various things were happening such as the dancing etc. I know the dog show today is at 2pm as I asked for that information from one of the event co-ordinators, no information regarding the jazz bands.

Same here I never went back either, to be honest I don't think much would be going on, I did notice a lot of people there yesterday with dogs maybe there were not aware it was today, I really did think the programme could have contained times for events would have made things a lot easier - I took a few photos I have posted some in photographs page shall upload a few more over next few days

Thank you for your comments.
As a non for Profit Company putting the Aberdare Show on with only the income we generate our selves. We do not have a say in how much each of our traders charges on their stalls or rides. We do take all comments very seriously, and will talk to traders about their costs we have lowered the cost of stall to help everyone so stall holders visits are worth while. We hoped to put a free A5 handout with the main arena events and times on. This was imposable to do as we did not have any input from community groups. We apologise to patrons who where disappointed by not having an arena timetable. We hope this did not spoil your visit.

This year all we are doing is saying sorry.
I would like you all to know the truth.
The Wednesday the week before Show week I meet with RCTCBC Event Planning group. At this event the “Police tell us they are now not able to put cover on the parade”. This was information from the Home Office. There would be a cost I have looked for “Road Closures in the London Gazette where all road closures must be reported there are None in RCT. The following day “St John’s Ambulance with draw their medical cover the cost quoted for this was £1200.00. Without medical cover the event could not go ahead and at 3.30pm that afternoon I called the event off. At 6.30 the same night I engage the services of “SWICS” a medical company used in other events all over Wales at a cost of £730.
On the Friday of the show set up we had council snoopers looking at everything we where doing.
Then we have been accused of damaging the road surface in the park. When the inspection was done we where not asked to be there. It was almost a week before the council contacted me informing me of the alleged damage.

The Aberdare Show has to rise all its own funding and apart from one year has never had help from RCT unlike the amount of money they spend on the Big Weekend which is their event in Pontypridd.

I no longer live in RCT and think it’s about time people took the people responsible for not getting funding to the valley. Non for profit community groups need support from funding bodies in Wales.

If you want to contact Aberdare Show you can email stevet@aberdare-show.co.uk or jeff@aberdare-show.co.uk we will hopefully be able to help with any information you need.

Jeff Taylor (Swansea) Steve Tozer (Aberdare)

I know that St John Ambulance are expensive as I was a member with them for years yet I cant see why they have to charge so much as the members on duty are volunteers and dont get paid.... I also know that police numbers have been cut and they just dont have the officers to do this sort of thing anymore thats why they charge so much as they have to get extra officers in.

I will say I enjoyed myself there was just a bit dissapointed with the lack of parade.... then again its our fault because we didnt join in and also the fact that it couldnt go around town :(

Then again I guess I'm like most people and dont like change!

Aroundtown.... its not the old committe that needs to come back its the whole community that needs to get involved, if more of the community got involved then it would be bigger and better.

Sorry I mean well , having a bad day but thats the way the outside world see's it.We should be closed down and bvalley flooded to provide water for the posh people in cardiff and the vale.

The posh people know its like a leper colony north of ponty.

Bunny I totally agree with you

Additional item to make the trip to oakwood more enjoyable visit.

Oakwood now there's a laugh

I would like to comment on the way RCT is getting bad notices on this site.
RCTCBC work hard for their communities they spend money wisely. When the road need’s resurfacing. They do it totally at the wrong time causing Aberdare to be gridlocked, frustrate many residents and also lose shop keepers thousands of pounds as “Real Radio” is telling people Aberdare is closed. The spending of money should be done equally in the RCTCBC area. The events team run the major events. These are Pontypridd and Rhondda based. We do get one thing that’s Nos Galan the event that was 50 when it had been stopped for many years.
When we where Cynon Valley if you had an outdoor event ten the help you used to get we great. The cleansing department had a roll in roll out toilet and when I help run the Mountain Ash Carnival they would bring it at No cost so we had toilets on the field. They would be there with a drain pump keeping it clean. When we then became RCT what did they do scrap it. The provision from public toilets is the responsibility of RCTCBC but we paid £675 to put extra toilets into Aberdare Park this year. The park lake side cafe roof is falling off the week before the Aberdare Show a little girl was hit by a tile falling off the roof. Have they put netting over the roof NO that would be too simple for them. The park is in need of a big cash injection for the 52 acre site which through public walk ways links to the Dare Valley Country Park has room for many attractions. The country park provides Camping and Caravanning pitches and is in the Caravan Club book of places to stay thank to the hard working team at the park. I don’t want to detract from the look of Aberdare Park as the small team of Rangers and gardeners keep it immaculate. More money is needed for Aberdare. Local councillors should ask themselves why you vote for things for other areas and not Aberdare. The leader of the council is from Taff Ely enough said. People of Aberdare should form friends of Aberdare Park to get funding for the refurbishment of the ornamental fountain. The toilets and get green flag status for Aberdare Park. As users and residents there is a lot we all could do as well as the council. They got money from the Heads of the Valley fund for the road for the bikes why not fix the park.

Around town I think it is very unfair that you are targeting an individual in this way and think you should chose your words more carefully and if you have any probelms with him then send him a private email and not spout that crap on here.

Went to the Aberdare event in the Park yesterday and have to say it was fab, loads of things to do and see and the park was really packed. Think the council and the events people done it together this year - who ever was involved well done as nice to see Aberdare having some decent shows for a change other than just ponty