The Welsh alpaca show saw a woolly wonderland come to Welshpool this weekend.

While I have grown up in the countryside, alpacas are still something of a mystery. While sheep still dot the hillsides of Powys, you're more likely to see alpacas in occasional small enclosures on the roadside.

So the show which came to Welshpool Livestock Market on Saturday (October 19) was a treat for anyone who is a fan of our fuzzy South American friends.

While this was maybe not the largest agricultural show in Powys it did have good amount to offer.

(Image: Ruairi Walsh)

As you entered there were a variety of stands all showing off alpaca related merchandise with the judging area just beyond them.

Nearby there was even a group from the North Shropshire Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers in Ellesmere who were producing alpaca wool that could be bought on the day.

The group told me what makes alpaca wool different from the sheep's product we're more familiar with: “It’s much warmer than sheep’s wool, it’s smoother so it doesn’t itch, it has an anti-bacterial property.

“It’s a hollow fibre so it is very well insulated so it is warmer than wool, it is lighter.”

(Image: Ruairi Walsh)

They then offered me samples of both sheep and alpaca wool – and you really can feel the difference with the sheep’s wool feeling surprisingly coarse in comparison.

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However, the main event was the alpacas themselves with breeders from around the country all taking part to pick up awards at this year’s show.

(Image: Ruairi Walsh)

Rebecca Jarret who has run Tilley Alpacas near Wem in Shropshire for 10 years was in attendance for the first time.

“This our first show this year. Alpacas are lovely to have, they have all got their own little personalities and we have got better with our breeding over the years,” said Rebecca.

“Judges are looking for density in the fleece and the crimp, if it’s not a good animal it will be sparse. They look for head shape and how they stand.

(Image: Ruairi Walsh)

For Rebecca she said her 50 animal herd was a hobby that took on a life of its own.

“I got started after I went to a petting farm one and thought let’s have some alpacas literally that was it,” she added.

“We had some land at the house that we weren’t doing anything with and thought we might as well put some alpacas there.”