Royal Bath and West Show
Encyclopedia
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. In 2005 it attracted over 150,000 people over four days, and 155,000 in 2009 and 2010.
. It was founded in 1777 in Bath by a group of philanthropists led by Edmund Rack, and is now a registered charity organisation (1039397). The Society was formed with the aims of encouraging agriculture, arts, manufacture and commerce.
It is set in a 240 acres (97.1 ha) permanent showground, with a 3 acres (1.2 ha) show ring with a 1,200-seater grandstand and complete with its own steam model railway, a canoeing lake and a professional 4x4 off road track.
visited the show, and in 2009 the Prince of Wales
and the Duchess of Cornwall both attended. The Prince of Wales last visited the show back in 1991. 2010 saw the Countess of Wessex become the new president of the Royal Bath and West Society. The Queen Mother
and the Queen
have also visited the show in past years.
‘Mortimer’s Eurovision’.
The Imagineering Fair won the Gold Medal for the best feature in Show with its display of aircraft and vehicles celebrating the 100 Years of Naval Aviation.
The Smelliest Cheese competition was won by Charles Martell, the maker of the Stinking Bishop
. The Champion Cheese in the Dairy Produce section, which was a block Davidstow Cheddar made by Dairy Crest
, was brought by R H Longman for £1000.
The Cannon Ball Man, The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas
and the French ornithologist Christian Moullec with his geese, were all features of the show.
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...
for the West of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Held every year at its permanent show ground near Shepton Mallet
Shepton Mallet
Shepton Mallet is a small rural town and civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset in South West England. Situated approximately south of Bristol and east of Wells, the town is estimated to have a population of 9,700. It contains the administrative headquarters of Mendip District Council...
, Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
, it is one of a number of County shows in the United Kingdom. In 2005 it attracted over 150,000 people over four days, and 155,000 in 2009 and 2010.
Background
The Royal Bath and West Show is organised and run by the Royal Bath and West of England SocietyRoyal Bath and West of England Society
The Royal Bath and West of England Society is a charitable society founded in 1777 to promote and improve agriculture and related activities around the West Country of England. Based at the Royal Bath and West of England Society Showground near Shepton Mallet in Somerset, the society is a...
. It was founded in 1777 in Bath by a group of philanthropists led by Edmund Rack, and is now a registered charity organisation (1039397). The Society was formed with the aims of encouraging agriculture, arts, manufacture and commerce.
The show
The Royal Bath & West Show aims to celebrate all aspects of farming and rural life, from the best of British livestock to the latest technological innovations in the farming industry. The show offers shopping, food halls, floral marquee, rural crafts, country pursuits, dog show, equestrian competitions and arena displays. The show also attracts over 1,000 trade stands.It is set in a 240 acres (97.1 ha) permanent showground, with a 3 acres (1.2 ha) show ring with a 1,200-seater grandstand and complete with its own steam model railway, a canoeing lake and a professional 4x4 off road track.
Royal visitors
Every year a member of the Royal Family visits the show. In 2008, Princess AnneAnne, Princess Royal
Princess Anne, Princess Royal , is the only daughter of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
visited the show, and in 2009 the Prince of Wales
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
and the Duchess of Cornwall both attended. The Prince of Wales last visited the show back in 1991. 2010 saw the Countess of Wessex become the new president of the Royal Bath and West Society. The Queen Mother
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon
Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon was the queen consort of King George VI from 1936 until her husband's death in 1952, after which she was known as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, to avoid confusion with her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II...
and the Queen
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
have also visited the show in past years.
2009 show
The 2009 Royal Bath & West Show was held from Wednesday 27 May to Saturday 30 May. Mortimer’s Farm won Supreme Champion Beef Animal with their Charolais bullCharolais cattle
Charolais cattle are a beef breed of cattle which originated in Charolais, around Charolles, in France. They are raised for their meat and are known for their composite qualities when crossed with other breeds, most notably Angus and Hereford cattle...
‘Mortimer’s Eurovision’.
The Imagineering Fair won the Gold Medal for the best feature in Show with its display of aircraft and vehicles celebrating the 100 Years of Naval Aviation.
The Smelliest Cheese competition was won by Charles Martell, the maker of the Stinking Bishop
Stinking Bishop cheese
Stinking Bishop is a soft washed-rind cheese produced since 1972 by Charles Martell and Son at Laurel Farm, Dymock, Gloucestershire in the South West of England. It is made from the milk of Gloucester cattle, which in 1972 consisted of only 68 Gloucester breed heifers...
. The Champion Cheese in the Dairy Produce section, which was a block Davidstow Cheddar made by Dairy Crest
Dairy Crest
Dairy Crest Group plc is a major dairy products company in the United Kingdom. Its brands include Cathedral City Cheddar cheese, Utterly Butterly, Vitalite, Clover, St Ivel and Frijj. The company delivers milk to around 1.1 million households via their milkmen...
, was brought by R H Longman for £1000.
The Cannon Ball Man, The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas
Brigade of Gurkhas
The Brigade of Gurkhas is the collective term for units of the current British Army that are composed of Nepalese soldiers. The brigade, which is 3,640 strong, draws its heritage from Gurkha units that originally served in the British Indian Army prior to Indian independence, and prior to that of...
and the French ornithologist Christian Moullec with his geese, were all features of the show.