The Great Eccleston Agricultural Show
The Great Eccleston Agricultural Show, which is now run over the second weekend in July originated in 1853. It is one of the last suving local agricultural shows in the country. Once there were hundreds of such shows in local villages, towns and counties now there are less and less of them. When formed it was called the Rawcliffe Farmers Club and was set up for “the improvement and advancement of agriculture”. The original founders, sixty two of them, all farmers came from Out Rawcliffe, St Michaels, Hambleton, Great Eccleston and Little Eccleston. The local squire, Thomas Robert Wilson-Ffrance and the Rev. William Hornby, were Patrons, and Jocelin Westby was President with a local solicitor, John Addie, the secretary. There is a rumour that the Show was formed as an amalgamation of the three cattle markets but there is no substance to this as the cattle markets were still running after the Show was founded.
The original show was a number of events rather than one show as it is today. One of the events was an annual ploughing and ridging competition. Each member was expected to send at least one plough to to this event. The first ploughing and ridging competition was held on 1st March 1853 at Crane Hall Farm, Out Rawcliffe, and the first cattle show was held at Cartford, Little Eccleston, on 4th October 1853. The concept of the original show that of combining serious agriculture with enjoyable entertainment still holds up to this day as a winning formula.
In 1856 the Society staged a Horse Show paving the way for the formation of the Great Eccleston Shire Horse Society.
In the nineteenth century the annual show was created which merged the local events. The Great Eccleston Show, was then held in September at the end of the showing season, and was dubbed ‘The Show of Champions’ where the prize-winners from the earlier shows were compared. At this time the show was a one day event, but from the mid 1970s pressure of entrants warranted a two day weekend show..
The second world war had a big impact on both the show and agriculture in general therefore in 1955 the show was suspended but unlike other shows the Society had had the foresight to purchase the freehold of the show fields between the wars. This meant that on its re-launch in 1972 the Society had enough money to help the show survive. With the enthusiastic support of the Great Eccleston Shire Horse Society that opening show made its mark with one of the finest parades of heavy horses.
The move from September to July was due to the British weather rather than as some have stated the clash with tram Sunday in Fleetwood. September was a wetter onth than July so in 1975 it was moved.
The Show continues to thrive and succeeds even after Covid and wet summers. Thw show has had to develop over the years to match modern trends in agriculture and entertainment. The show now incorporates the very popular Tractor Pulling events on their purpose built tactor pulling track, one of only a handful in the UK. Originally this was shown as part of the Sunday of the show now it has events spanning both days. Even with all these other events the show is still essentially an agricultural show.