County shows in United Kingdom
Encyclopedia
County Shows are summer outdoor agricultural show
s held in various parts of the United Kingdom
. There are competitions, with prizes awarded by judges, allowing farmers and breeders to show off their cattle or crops. There are many trade stands which offer the latest farming machinery, feeds, fertilisers and other farming products. Other trade stands and activities have been added to make the shows more attractive to locals and visitors. Often there are features such as showjumping, funfair
s, falconry
, military displays and food exhibitions.
In the early years these shows used to be held in different locations each year, but in the 1960s the local agricultural societies started to buy land to create permanent showgrounds. The first purpose built showground was in Harrogate
where the Great Yorkshire Show
is held.
Many of the larger counties hold their own shows: these include the Royal County of Berkshire Show, the Cheshire Show
, the Royal Cornwall Agricultural show
, the Devon County Show
, the Kent County Show
, the Westmorland County Show, , , , Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey and Yorkshire. Norfolk
has the Royal Norfolk Show
which is claimed as the largest two day agricultural show in the UK.
On the other hand some counties have grouped together and created such shows as: The Three Counties Show (Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire), The East of England Show (Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire), the Royal Welsh Show
, the Royal Highland Show
, the South of England Show
(Sussex), The Royal Bath and West Show
(Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire) and the now-defunct Royal Show
—the largest of all, which was held in Kenilworth, Warwickshire but encompassed the whole country.
s, on grassy land, are vulnerable to continued heavy rain waterlogging
the ground, forcing cancellation, or the show ending early, costing much money for the show's organizers, as people and parking cars have difficulty moving about and turn the land into a morass, and the organizers may be tempted to put straw down to make movement easier, and the owner of the land cannot accept the resulting damage.
Agricultural show
An agricultural show is a public event showcasing the equipment, animals, sports and recreation associated with agriculture and animal husbandry. The largest comprise a livestock show , a trade fair, competitions, and entertainment...
s held in various parts of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. There are competitions, with prizes awarded by judges, allowing farmers and breeders to show off their cattle or crops. There are many trade stands which offer the latest farming machinery, feeds, fertilisers and other farming products. Other trade stands and activities have been added to make the shows more attractive to locals and visitors. Often there are features such as showjumping, funfair
Funfair
A funfair or simply "fair" is a small to medium sized travelling show primarily composed of stalls and other amusements. Larger fairs such as the permanent fairs of cities and seaside resorts might be called a fairground, although technically this should refer to the land where a fair is...
s, falconry
Falconry
Falconry is "the taking of wild quarry in its natural state and habitat by means of a trained raptor". There are two traditional terms used to describe a person involved in falconry: a falconer flies a falcon; an austringer flies a hawk or an eagle...
, military displays and food exhibitions.
In the early years these shows used to be held in different locations each year, but in the 1960s the local agricultural societies started to buy land to create permanent showgrounds. The first purpose built showground was in Harrogate
Harrogate
Harrogate is a spa town in North Yorkshire, England. The town is a tourist destination and its visitor attractions include its spa waters, RHS Harlow Carr gardens, and Betty's Tea Rooms. From the town one can explore the nearby Yorkshire Dales national park. Harrogate originated in the 17th...
where the Great Yorkshire Show
Great Yorkshire Show
The Great Yorkshire Show is an agricultural show which takes place on the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, North Yorkshire in the North of England annually from the second Tuesday of July until the following Thursday...
is held.
Many of the larger counties hold their own shows: these include the Royal County of Berkshire Show, the Cheshire Show
Cheshire Show
The Cheshire Show is a big county agricultural show currently held on 2 days in June each year on land west of Flittogate Lane in the Tabley area in Cheshire, England....
, the Royal Cornwall Agricultural show
Royal Cornwall Agricultural Show
The Royal Cornwall Agricultural Show, usually called the Royal Cornwall Show, is an agricultural show organised by The Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association, which takes place at the beginning of June each year, at Wadebridge in North Cornwall....
, the Devon County Show
Devon County Show
The Devon County Show is an agricultural show held annually over three days in May at the Westpoint Arena and Showground in Clyst St Mary near Exeter. It is one of a number of county shows in the United Kingdom....
, the Kent County Show
Kent County Show
The Kent County Show is an event hosted annually by the Kent County Agricultural Society at their Kent Showground headquarters at Detling near Maidstone in Kent, England...
, the Westmorland County Show, , , , Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey and Yorkshire. Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
has the Royal Norfolk Show
Royal Norfolk Show
The Royal Norfolk Show is an annual agricultural show, and is held by the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association. It is the largest 2 day agricultural show in England, and has been held almost every year since 1847. Shows were not held in 1866, 1911, 1934 and 1957...
which is claimed as the largest two day agricultural show in the UK.
On the other hand some counties have grouped together and created such shows as: The Three Counties Show (Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire), The East of England Show (Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire), the Royal Welsh Show
Royal Welsh Show
The Royal Welsh Show is the biggest agricultural show in Europe. It is organised by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, which was formed in 1904, and takes place in July of each year, at Llanelwedd, near Builth Wells, in Powys, Mid Wales....
, the Royal Highland Show
Royal Highland Show
The Royal Highland Show is Scotland's annual farming and countryside showcase.It is held annually at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston over the second-last weekend in June , the event attracts over 1,000 exhibitors, 4,500 head of livestock, and an annual 200,000 visitors - making it Scotland's...
, the South of England Show
South of England Show
The South of England Show is a county show held annually at its own showground in Ardingly, West Sussex during June.The show was founded in 1967 and is organised by the South of England Agricultural Society, which is patronised by Queen Elizabeth II...
(Sussex), The Royal Bath and West Show
Royal Bath and West Show
The Royal Bath and West is a agricultural show for the West of England. Held every year at its permanent show ground near Shepton Mallet, Somerset, it is one of a number of County shows in the United Kingdom...
(Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire) and the now-defunct Royal Show
Royal Show
The Royal Show was an annual agricultural show/fair held by the Royal Agricultural Society of England every year from 1839 to 2009. It was held in Stoneleigh Park near Stoneleigh in Warwickshire, England...
—the largest of all, which was held in Kenilworth, Warwickshire but encompassed the whole country.
Weather
Agricultural shows, and other big shows such as air showAir show
An air show is an event at which aviators display their flying skills and the capabilities of their aircraft to spectators in aerobatics. Air shows without aerobatic displays, having only aircraft displayed parked on the ground, are called "static air shows"....
s, on grassy land, are vulnerable to continued heavy rain waterlogging
Waterlogging
Waterlogging or water logging may refer to:* Waterlogging , saturation of the soil by groundwater sufficient to prevent or hinder agriculture...
the ground, forcing cancellation, or the show ending early, costing much money for the show's organizers, as people and parking cars have difficulty moving about and turn the land into a morass, and the organizers may be tempted to put straw down to make movement easier, and the owner of the land cannot accept the resulting damage.