A Feast for the Senses: Discovering the Local Agricultural Show

The Local Agricultural Show

There is most probably an agricultural show near you, so ours will be no different or special other than it is special to us. It has been held almost every year since 1874, there were a few cancellations for war or pestilence in that time, but nonetheless what a wonderful achievement by a community ensuring that such an event does take place every year. Some of the wording in its constitution, 'The principal object of the Society is to offer Premium to tenant Farmers and Freeholders for the improvement in the breed of Cattle, Horses and Sheep, for Garden Produce, and to promote the interest of the manufacturing industry.', gives an idea of the aims of the original committee to enjoin, what at that time was a much smaller and more scattered community, to come together for their mutual benefit.

  Local shows like this are important in the country calendar as a visual representation of rural life in all its variety and the cohesion of rural communities, that so often seem to be obscured from the decision makers in the seats of power. The shows are family events and entertainment but with a serious side to them in that they are a meeting place for farmers and their families and an opportunity to acknowledge the simple, humble things of everyday life such as baking, jam-making, vegetable growing and handicrafts. Also, where else could non-farming people go to meet a foxhound face-to-face, get up-close to farm animals, see a rope being made or gaze on the wonderful array of home-baking and glorious floral displays made in ordinary farmhouse kitchens and greenhouses?

Not having a dedicated site has meant the event has had several locations over the years, and it must be remembered that as a consequence the farmer, whose generosity in lending his fields, means that he must have taken his grass or stock off prior to the show irrespective of the weather and farming practice.

I became involved (press-ganged is probably more accurate!) with the committee several years ago and only then began to appreciate just how much effort goes into organising such an event. Every supplier of marquees, tables, chairs, loos, security, generators etc. all have to be contacted for price quotes, then supply contracts agreed. Then there is all the legal side of it all, informing the local council, the police, insurance company etc.

The backbone of the event are the volunteers who, prior to the day, set up umpteen pens for sheep, goats and cattle, create rings for the horse and cattle judging, to say nothing of the dog show ring and not forgetting the car-park attendants and stewards for the events and classes. With all these roles in place, we wait for the day itself. We know how many trade stands and livestock entries there will be since they all wish to be named in the show catalogue. However, in the Craft and Produce tent, we have no idea of numbers of entries until the morning itself. Fortunately, the stewards are adept at accommodating the unknown numbers that will turn up with their boxes of cakes, preserves, floral arrangements, home-made wines, children's art and craft work, wood turnery and the tallest nettle. I like to contribute to the craft section and was pleased to get a first prize for my wooden toy - a tool kit made of wood. (Incidentally, I have made similar things for the grandchildren but noticed that the daughters-in-law remove the hammer for some unknown reason!!) Mrs R. enters many cakes and preserves (which has the added bonus of me having a selection of cakes for elevenses throughout the following week!)

In the produce section, I didn't do so well, leeks were too small, no courgettes the same size and the plums had finished, but our grandson won a first prize with the tallest nettle.

In the various rings, something is going on all day, be it judging various classes or parades of vintage tractors, which is always well represented, and the local hunt running the hounds around the ring and allowing children to go and mingle with the hounds, always a very popular part of the day.

The day ends with a dance, which, incidentally, funds the whole day. I have to admit to never attending this part of the show day...as a (and now sedate, older and wiser) dairy farmer, one has to consider the prospect of the early start for milking the following morning, or is it just a good excuse for not having to join the local youth in full 'farmers-off-the-leash' high spirits?