Herefordshire and Worcestershire Agricultural Show

The roots of Three Counties Agricultural Society lie as far back as 1794 when John Clerk of Builth published his book, ‘General Views on Agriculture in the County of Hereford’. He observed that there was no agricultural society in the county of Herefordshire which led to the formation of Herefordshire Agricultural Society in 1797 when George III was on the throne of Great Britain and Napoleon was invincible throughout Europe. The first show took place on Broad Street in Hereford in 1798 and the Society later developed into Three Counties Agricultural Society with the amalgamation of Worcestershire in 1894 and Gloucestershire in 1921.

The Three Counties Show rotated between Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire until the Three Counties Showground was purchased by the Society and the first show was held on the permanent site in 1958 with HM The Queen Mother as guest of honour. The agricultural show has become one of the most significant in the UK and was awarded Royal Status in 2014 under the patronage of HRH The Princess Royal.

1896 - 1979 A Retrospect From Tilleys Almanack

1896 - Show details not listed

1897 - Show details not listed

1898 - Show details not listed

1899 - Almanack not Available

1900
June 12, 13, 14 Herefordshire and Worcestershire Agricultural Show at Leominster

1901
June 11, 12, 13 Herefordshire and Worcestershire Agricultural Show at Evesham.

1902 - Show details not listed

1903 - Show details not listed

1904
June 14 Herefordshire and Worcestershire Agricultural Show at Ross opened.

1905
June 13 Herefordshire and Worcestershire Agric. Show at Malvern.

1906
- Almanack not Available

1907
June 18 Herefordshire and Worcestershire Agricultural Show, opened at Hereford.

1908 - Almanack not Available

1909
June 22-26 Royal Agricultural Show at Gloucester. The King present on 23rd. A wet week.

1910
June 7, 8, 9 Herefordshire and Worcestershire Agricultural Show held at Worcester. Very successful. Fatal Aeroplane accident on the ground.

June 8 Invitation for the above Show in 1911 to be held at Ledbury was accepted. Local Committee formed, with Lord BIDDULPH as President. Mr. A. R. ROWDEN. Chairman, and Messrs. C. T. SMITH and Gerald ANTHONY as Hon. Secs.

1911
June 7-8-9 Herefordshire and Worcestershire Agricultural Show at Ledbury in a Meadow on the Hazle Farm. Fine weather, and the Show proved a great success. Lord BIDDULPH was president of the Society for the year. An active local Committee was formed, with Mr. A. Roger ROWDEN as Chairman, and Messrs. C. T. SMITH and Gerald ANTHONY as Hon. Secs. The sum of £618 14s. 6d. was collected as a local fund, which was dealt with, as noticed, on August 22nd.

TILLEY & SON - Official photographers of the show.

( Alan HOIDA Collection )

Top Cross

( Frank KENWARD Collection )

New Street

( Frank KENWARD Collection )

August 22 Final Local Committee Meeting of Hereford and Worcester Show, at Ledbury in June. Balance in hand. £47 1s. 4d. distributed as follows:- Ledbury Cottage Hospital, £15; Royal Agricultural Society, per the Chairman, Mr. A. Roger ROWDEN, £15; the Hon. Secs., Messrs. SMITH and ANTHONY, honorarium of £17 1s. 4d. Mr. Thomas THOMPSON, Hemel Hempstead, appointed relieving officer for the Yarkhill District in place of Mr. WILLIS, resigned.

1912 - 1913 - Almanacks not Available

1914 - World War One ( Not printed )

1915 - Show details not listed

1916 - World War One ( Not printed )

1917 - World War One ( Not printed )

1918 - World War One ( Not printed )

1919 - 1927 - No Retrospect printed in the Tilleys Almanacks.

1928
June 5 First day of the Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire Show at Hereford. Entries reached the record number of 1238.

1929
June 4 Three Counties’ Agricultural Show opened at Gloucester by H.R.H. Prince George. The 1930 show will be held at Worcester.

1930
June 10 Opening day of the Three Counties’ Agricultural Show at Worcester. The 1931 show will be held at Hereford.

1931
June 9 Opening day of the Three Counties Agricultural Show at Hereford. The 1932 show will be held at Gloucester.

1932 - 1979 Details coming soon.

2021

Three Counties Agricultural Society has a thriving 90 acre showground based in Malvern which not only hosts events Three Counties’ own events, but which is hired out to third parties for exhibitions, conferences, animal shows, trade fairs and leisure events such as flea fairs, auctions and vehicle enthusiasts’ jamborees. The iconic Malvern Hills offer a unique backdrop to the showground, making us one of the most attractive showgrounds in the country. Over a million visitors a year come through the gates of the showground and it makes an annual contribution of £35 million a year to the local economy. Read More...

---