WHERE’S THE ROYAL NORFOLK SHOW THIS YEAR? by

Chris Weston

The title above was once an annual and genuinely asked question, so please read on to discover why, and much more: -

For most of the current Norfolk population, the annual “pilgrimage” to this event takes them to the current Showground site at Costessey. But for those who can still remember, it could once have been in almost any part of the county and rarely if ever, in the same place twice! So how, when, or where, did it start?

By the early 19th century, many leading agriculturalists were promoting farming methods and forming organisations which eventually led to the idea of agricultural shows. In Norfolk this goes back to 1776 and the days of Thomas Coke, the First Earl of Leicester, when the famous annual sheepshearings were held at Holham Hall. They were three-day events and became quite a local meeting place for farmers from far and near. The event grew in size and importance until the last occasion in 1821, when some 7,000 guests attended and were entertained in and around the Hall. On the third day each year, Coke awarded prizes to contestants who could be shepherds, ploughmen or inventors of farming implements, or who had offered suggestions for improved farming methods in cropping, irrigation or soil enrichment. To some, such events became known as "Coke's Clippings " and on one occasion, a Holkham tenant claimed to have won over £800.

In 1837 the Royal Agricultural Association of England was founded, but another ten years passed before an equivalent organisation began in Norfolk. In 1847, the East Norfolk and West Norfolk Agricultural Associations joined forces to form the Norfolk Agricultural Association and during their first 15 years, held annual shows - usually

Local History

in June or July - with alternating venues at Norwich and Swaffham. But changes came during the Agricultural Association's A.G.M. of 1861, when a proposal to offer the Show to a wider audience was adopted. It was agreed that East Dereham would host the Show and thereafter, the venue would change annually with shows being held all over the county. This depended on the co-operation and support of landowners who might offer acceptable facilities on parkland sites or on estates.

And so an “itinerant” life for the Norfolk Show began and a few examples of when and where it was held, included: -

1863 Gt. Yarmouth

1864 Kings Lynn

1865 Norwich (Chapelfield Gardens)

1867 Fakenham

1868 Downham Market

1869 Attleborough

1870 Harleston

1877 Diss

1878 North Walsham

1881 Wymondham

1886 Whitlingham

1887 Blickling Park

The 1866 Show was cancelled by the Government who refused per- mission, due to an outbreak of Cattle Plague and it was only due to special permission being granted by the Privy Council, that cattle exhibits could be included the following year, but with certain restrictions.

The 1882 Show was held on the Norwich Showground - not the present one - but on a narrow tract of land between Newmarket Road and Ipswich Road. This land subsequently became the Norwich Cricket Ground and more recently, the Town Close School Playing Field. During more recent times when the Daniels Flower Nursery on Daniels Road was still there (now Notcutts), the Town Close Field spreading towards Newmarket Road housed an Observatory. This was supported and used by members of the Norwich Astronomical Society.

It was some time however before today's Show became established, and during the 1870's events were held not only in different parts of the county, but also at various times of the year. The Horticultural Show in May for example was followed in either June or July by the Summer Show (now the Royal Norfolk), ahead of the Fat Cattle Show in the autumn, usually during November.

Although called the Norfolk Show from outset, its name changed in

1866 (cattle plague); 1911, 1934 and 1957 (Royal Show held inno longer dominate the event, for Government departments, local varying lengths of time. One year, a huge Scout Jamboree joined the

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Welcome… to the latest edition of THE WROXHAM & COLTISHALL BOOK

Summer is in full swing - I hope you’re enjoying the fabulous weather!

At home, we often reflect on our good fortune growing up here in the Norfolk Broads - we really are lucky in that respect aren’t we? Looking back to 2006, I was still on maternity leave when we decided to create a new community-based publication and THE WROXHAM & COLTISHALL BOOK was launched. In September, our youngest son Jack turns 18 having finished Sixth Form and commenced work. We have no school-age children left at home now! That seems pretty scary to us - wherever does that amount of time go?

It certainly serves as a good reminder to make the most of life, appreciate the simple things, and do our best to ‘live in the here and now! ’

You’ll find a wide range of puzzles, quizzes and features inside this edition; including Dame Prue Leith as our featured celebrity.

Enjoy August & September

What’s Inside… Page:

4 - Home & Interiors; The Art Of Al Fresco Dining. 12 - Home Products; Pack Up

46 - Motoring; The Best Small EVS

47 - Wordsearch; Australia

48 - Community Events & What’s On

50 - Local Reports (to page 55)

57 - Did you Know?

57 - Quiz Answers

57 - Business Card Section

58 - History Of The Royal Norfolk Show - by Chris Weston

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