Did You Know?
In 1800, Society Member Mr. Tench of Broomfield, Ludlow, offered to show a Hereford Bull - named Prizefighter - against any bull in England for one hundred guineas. The Hereford defeated a Leicester Bull brought by Mr. Knowles of Nailworth and the animal became a celebrity overnight!
The first Show to be staged at Malvern, was in 1890.
There were no Shows in 1917 and 1918, owing to World War 1.
In 1924, the Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin MP was elected President, but plans to stage the Show at Pitchcroft, Worcester, were marred by inclement weather and floods of eight feet!
The first Show after World War II – scheduled to open on the second Tuesday in June 1947 was postponed following an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease within two miles of the Showyard.
The first Show to be staged at the Society’s permanent site in Malvern was in 1958, when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, honoured the event with a five hour visit.
Other royal visitors over the years include: H.R.H. Duke of Gloucester (1929 President), their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York (1934), their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester (1938 , 1951 and 1975), H.M. the Queen (1968), H.R.H. the Princess Margaret (1968, 1985), H.R.H. the Princess Anne (1976, 1986), H.R.H. the Princess Alexandra (1977, 1989 and 1985), H.R.H the Prince Charles (1978) and in 1981, Captain Mark Phillips. H.R.H The Prince of Wales and H.R.H The Duchess of Cornwall in 2007.
Prior to 1958, the Show was staged at a variety of locations including Abervagenny, Monmouth, Kidderminster and Droitwich, Worcester's Pitchcroft and Spetchley Park and Staverton Airport in Gloucestershire.
The Showground is busy for around 250 days of the year.
Source:
A Short History of the Three Counties Agricultural Society by Glynne Hastings (Secretary of the Society 1946 – 1972).