Early history of the Society and Show

Cartmel Peninsula Local History Society has been kindly researching the history of the Society and its show in the 19th century. The below information is taken from their research. If you’d like to read the precis, it can be downloaded here

According to the report in Ulverston Mirror and Furness Reflections published on 21 June 1873 a meeting was held on the 18th of June 1873 where it was decided to establish an annual Agricultural Show. Another meeting on 30th June established the rules and regulations of the Society and elected a committee (Barrow Herald and Furness Advertiser 5 July 1873). On Tuesday 9th September the first Show was held in Cartmel (Soulby’s Ulverston Advertiser 11 Sept 1873)

Cartmel Agricultural Show took place on Farmery Fields, two fields north of the Priory, between the Vicarage and Greencroft on Priest Lane. This field belonged to the owners of the Cavendish Arms and the tenant provided the meal that was served on Show day. At the first show on 9 September 1873 there were 359 entries. Gate receipts were nearly £23, with visitors paying 1 shilling before noon and 6d thereafter despite persistent heavy downpours of rain from 11am.

The decision was taken in 1897 to move the Show that year onto Cartmel Park, as it had outgrown the space available on Farmery Fields and this is where the show has continued to be staged.

Highlights in our history

1872

Formation of the Society.

1882

Dressed and live poultry classes introduced.

1910

Horticultural section introduced – with classes of wild flowers.

1911

Thrift exhibition begins to encourage Rural Industries.

1923

Catering committee is established, with the elected ladies offering to serve luncheon.

1926

Rabbits are included in the schedule for the first time.

1931

Townley Memorial Trophy is presented. Gun dogs and sporting terriers feature for the first time.

1933

Mice are exhibited – in 23 different classes.

1944

The profit of £808 15s 10d was handed over to the Red Cross Agricultural Fund. Said to be one of the largest donations received from a one-day show.

1945

Society established a business for ‘the hire of marquees’.

1948

Attendance topped 10,000 for the first time.

1951

Hackney Driving Classes begin. Are poorly supported, and only run for three years.

1952

Foot and Mouth strikes, so all cloven-hoof classes are cancelled. Village Industries moved to Village Hall.

1956

Entry numbers are: 223 cattle, 120 sheep, 37 goats, 18 agricultural horses, 232 poultry, pigeons and rabbits, 314 horticultural classes, 347 village industries.

1957

Purchase of barn for storage of marquees and equipment for £520.

1958

Fine weather smiled on the show for the 24th successive year.

1959

Only four heavy horses were exhibited and it was the first year of a tractor driving competition.

1960

For the first time since show started, no heavy horse exhibits.

1965

All day deluge of relentless rain provided an overall loss £754.

1966

Provided an even wetter and more disastrous day for the show. The financial loss was an inevitable £885

1990

First Craft Marquee – goods to be handmade by seller.

1995

Introduction of Food Hall

2000

Entry numbers were at: 94 cattle, 220 sheep, 263 horses,13 cereals, 311 horticultural, 189 cookery, 684 poultry and pigeons, 638 village industries and 399 dog exhibits.

2014

Crook and stick classes were introduced.

2015

Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling classes begin.

Our history

The inception of Cartmel Agricultural Society took place on the 10 June 1872, in the Cavendish Arms, Cartmel. Its activities were to be devoted to:

  • The encouragement of the better breeding of stock by the offer of premiums.
  • The improvement of tillage and the better management of grasslands and other rural affairs, if funds allowed.

It was decided that the annual exhibition should be held with competition confined to the rate payers of the seven parishes of Cartmel. Since its’ inception, the Society has enjoyed the patronage of a member of the Cavendish family.

In March, 1928, an important alteration was made with regard to the area constituting the Society’s district. It was then decided to extend this to include ‘The Whole of the Hundred of Lonsdale North of the Sands’. Sometime between 1897 and 1899 the show moved into Cartmel Park. Here it has been held ever since by kind permission of the Cavendish family.

”Cartmel Show is a little bit of England at it’s best. The good stock, the produce of dairy, garden and kitchen, the attractive hand work together with the friendly rivalry and homely atmosphere prove a magnet which draws all that is best in the district to our show, on this one day in the year

J B SmalleyCartmel Agricultural Society President 1937