After their recent retirement from full-time farming, Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society's Presidential team for 2009 say they can't wait for the 'buzz' of the show which starts tomorrow (Tuesday).

Malcolm Lewis and his wife Jean took a step back from their busy lives on the farm bringing an end to four generations of family occupancy at Duckspool Farm, Wiston, near Haverfordwest.

The decision wasn't easy, but with the couple having three daughters with careers away from farming, Mr Lewis said it was time to consider where they were going with the farming business.

"I suppose I will miss full-time farming," said Mr Lewis.

"But we've had a busy run up to the show and we're enjoying it very much.

"I'm looking forward to the event itself- meeting old friends and making new friends."

Having been a steward at the County Show for nearly 40 years, Mr Lewis admits that helping out at the event is like second nature to him. He began his duties as a cattle steward, but for nearly 25 years Mr Lewis was the voice of the ringside announcements.

Latterly, he and his wife have been looking after the sponsors of the Pembrokeshire County Show, which is the second biggest in Wales.

Mrs Lewis, who will also play an important role in this year's show, said: "I just think there's a lovely buzz about the place- we are like one big family there and I look forward to seeing people we haven't seen since the last show."

"Every year, on the Sunday before the show, there's a service at the President's Pavilion at 7pm and a buffet afterwards.

"There's often about two to three hundred people there and it's a lovely way of starting the week of the show. People get a sense of excitement."

Mr and Mrs Lewis recently returned from a trip to Ireland, visiting the agricultural society that Pembrokeshire's is twinned with. A party from Pembrokeshire is invited every year to the Tinaheley show and on Pembrokeshire County Show week, the pair must return the favour and host a party from Ireland.

"There's a wonderful camaraderie. Malcolm and I feel very humbled and privileged to be given these roles and we think the world of the show," said Mrs Lewis.

"We just hope the weather holds out now".

Speaking about the show and its purpose, Mr Lewis said: "It's an opportunity for the whole county to celebrate, not only the agriculture society but all the businesses in Pembrokeshire and beyond and the general public too, of course.

"It's town meeting country and country meeting town and the two realising that they are interdependent on one another."

He added: "We don't have a day free between now and the show, but we're very fortunate to have a wonderful band of volunteers and stewards helping.

"Without that, it wouldn't happen."