THE wife of a Herefordshire farmer is the first lady to lead the Brecknockshire Agricultural Society in its 248-year history.

Mrs Janet Vaughan of Oakfields Farm, Kingsland, Leominster, daughter of a prominent Powys Hereford breeder and the wife of Mr Peter Vaughan, will be conducting the society affairs leading up to its 250th anniversary in 2005 when the Prince of Wales will be the patron.

The society is the oldest in the UK, being formed in 1755, and there is much enthusiasm to ensure that the anniversary show is a particularly memorable one.

Mrs Vaughan, who has been employed at Craven Grain Storage at Shobdon since her marriage in 1980, has had a close connection with the society since she became secretary in 1977, a role she continued until 1988.

She was involved in the moving of the annual show from its old site at Newton, Brecon, to its permanent site at Watton Villa Fields.

And to her credit she did a tremendous amount of work securing donations to purchase the site for the society.

In 1992 when the society were again looking for a secretary, Mrs Vaughan took on the role again, running the affairs of the society with her usual great enthusiasm and efficiency until 1998 when she moved to advise the society in a formal role.

This year's show, with something for all the family, takes place on Saturday, August 2, with record entries in all the livestock classes.