Great Ecclesto'n Agricultural Society, originally named the Rawcliffe Farmers Club, was founded in 1853 for "the improvement and advancement of agriculture". At the inaugural meeting held in the Cartford Hotel sixty-two farmers from Out Rawcliffe, St Michaels, Hambleton, and Great and Little Eccleston each paid five shillings (25p) to join - several days' wages in those days. The local squires, Thomas Robert Wilson-ffrance and the Rev. William Hornby, as Patrons, and Jocelin Westby as President, each paid £3. A local solicitor, John Addie, the agent for the Rawcliffe Hall estates, served as secretary. In addition to the subscription each member was expected to send at least one plough to the annual ploughing and ridging competition, and ploughmen were to be allowed to borrow ploughs and horses from members of the Society to compete in the event.

The first ploughing match was held two weeks later on March 1st at Crane Hall Farm, Out Rawcliffe, and the first cattle show was held at Cartford, Little Eccleston, on October 4th the same year. Admission cost sixpence (214 p) but stock handlers were admitted free. The pattern of combining serious purpose with enjoyable entertainment was established from the start. Dinner cost ten pence (4p) "wines and liquor not included" and the minutes record that after both events "... the judges and Members proceeded to the Cartford ... where the parties partook of a Substantial Dinner; after which, the cloth being drawn, the remainder of the evening was spent by giving appropriate Toasts and Songs."

In 1856 the Society also staged an Entire Horse Show. Although those stallion shows did not survive they led to the formation of the Great Eccleston Shire Horse Society which continues to thrive to this day. In keeping with the drive for a general improvement of livestock prize-winning stallions had to be available once a week for three months to serve local mares. Similar conditions were imposed on champion bulls and boars which were required to remain in the locality and available for service for several months.

True to its aim of "advancement" the Society arranged a steam ploughing demonstration in October 1857, drawing a crowd of nearly a thousand to Out Rawcliffe to see "the strange monster try her power". Although the steam traction engine didn't turn up until the following day and then broke down after a short demonstration, the members were reported to be "highly pleased and wonderfully surprised" by what they had seen. At the show that year it was recorded that "a few choice Agricultural implements bedecked the ground". Displays of "quite new and approved Implements" soon became a regular feature of the annual show.

For the first seventy years of the Society's existence the cattle kept by Fylde farmers were almost exclusively of the Shorthorn breed - an animal that provided both beef and milk. Formally registered pedigrees were uncommon and in the show catalogue they were simply "Horned Cattle, any breed or cross bred". By the 1920's a few higher yielding Friesian and Ayrshire cattle were making an appearance on local farms but it was not until 1933 that Pedigree British Friesian classes made an appearance.   Pedigree Ayrshire classes were not introduced until 1949. In those early days many of the local farmers were breeding carthorses and there were usually many more horses than cattle entered. However, at the Jubilee Show in 1903 the work of dairy industry was evidenced by an entry of more than 90 cheeses "of the true Lancashire type" - making it at that time the biggest cheese show in the country.

In the nineteenth century all market towns in the Fylde staged annual agricultural shows. The Great Eccleston Show, then held in September at the end of the showing season, was dubbed 'The Show of Champions' where the prize-winners from the earlier shows were compared.

After the Second World War Great Eccleston Show, like many others, struggled to survive and in 1955, just two years after celebrating its centenary, the annual show was suspended. Fortunately the Society had purchased the freehold of the show fields between the wars, and after seventeen years the accumulated rent money provided essential funds when the Show was re-launched 1972. 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 and turnouts ever seen outside Wembley.

It was after a succession of very wet shows in 1973 and 74 that it was decided to stage the even in July instead of September, and the change brought a change of fortune. Within a few years the pressure of entries was such that the Show had to become a two-day event to accommodate them.

Over the past 157 years the show has remained true to its agricultural roots, with the content and mix reflecting the evolution of local agriculture. The founding fathers would certainly appreciate the fine turnout of Shires and light horses, and the pigs and poultry, although they would not recognise many of today's cattle and sheep breeds. They would be astonished by the milk yield of the modern dairy cow and dazzled by range of tractors and agricultural appliances on display. They would be completely dumbfounded by the tractor-pulling competition.

Above left: some of the early founders of the Show. Right: A Shire horse

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Fiona Drummond on last year’s Show (2011)

More than 20,000 people braved the rain to join the organisers at Great Eccleston Show this weekend and despite the weather on Sunday, the support from the general public was fantastic.
The ground held up well considering the battering from the weather which was testament to the committee who have invested heavily in the infrastructure of the showground.

The show, once again, proved why Lancashire has a fantastic reputation for producing some of the finest animals in the country with a wonderful display of dairy cattle on the Saturday. A truly top-class Holstein cow won the Supreme Exhibitor for W Rogerson & Sons from Singleton with Avenham Bolton Lynn. Although Holsteins are the dominant breed in the North-West there was an excellent display of Jerseys and Ayrshires. An inspiration to any prospective young farmer was Natasha Kirby from Kirkham who won Champion Jersey with Bright Future Jade Millie. Natasha, a pupil at Carr Hill School Kirkham, is only 15, but with Reserve Champion at the Great Yorkshire Show also under her belt she is well on the way to being a fantastic advert for women in the industry as well as a supreme breeder of Jersey’s in this area.

The beef show on Sunday was also represented with some of the finest cattle the judges had seen, with Aberdeen Angus, Simmentals, British Blues and Limousin’s dominating the proceedings but the Supreme Champion Beef Animal was won by A Cropper & J Mellin with Red Hot Honey a commercial animal.

On Saturday the main ring was also full of Shire Horses with over seventy entries and Great Eccleston can certainly boast that the finest horses in the country were represented there.  The Champion Shire went to P Bedford with Metheringham Upton Hamlet. Whilst the horse that qualified for the Shire Horse of the Year Show was M King with Northcliff Olympia.

There was a strong line-up of various breeds of sheep on the Saturday with Suffolks, Texel, Charollais and Swaledales to name just a few as well as various primitive, non-primitive and Shetland sheep on display on the Sunday.  The Champion Sheep was won by a Texel owned by A & G Brown from Darwen.

The rest of the animals on show included a great selection of pigs, goats and rabbits.  The Champion Rabbit went to a Polish, owned by first timer to Great Eccleston Show, Kevin Coulter from Cumbria.  It really was a spectacular example with fine boning and fabulous posture according to the Chief Steward.

Our feathered friends were also well represented with Budgerigars, Pigeons and Hens on display. The budgerigar that won Best in Show, went to Warren Haworth with a Cinnamon Light Green Budgie.

Tractors and machinery always feature very heavily at Great Eccleston with a stunning collection of vintage tractors and steam driven machinery.  Although the Tractor Pulling had to be cancelled because of the inclement weather, the modern day machinery was on display around the main ring and many youngsters could pretend, for just one day, that they were able to drive these enormous machines.  In the lower field there was a vintage fairground with a great Ferris Wheel taking pride of place, giving, who ever rode it, a fantastic view of the show and the surrounding countryside.  On the lower field there were working craftsmen making baskets and spoons as well as displaying thatching and wood turning skills. There was also a memory marquee for the second year giving a wonderful dip into yesteryear with history on the surrounding villages which brought back great memories for many.

The marquees around the showground had some of the finest prices of work from people all over the region.  The support that the show receives is manifest in the quantity and quality of exhibits on display with the Horticulture and Art section boasting increased numbers of entries, yet all sections were packed with fabulous work including the finest quilts, tapestry and knitting as well as cakes, bread, biscuits and homemade wine that would set any mouth watering.  The children’s section was marvellous and so much hard work had gone into the pieces on display, the winning school exhibit went to St Michaels-on-Wyre CE School.

The large food hall attracted some great local produce and the array of cheese, chocolates and meats would certainly encourage anyone to buy locally.  The Craft marquee also had something for everyone with beautiful pieces of jewellery, wooden toys and other handicrafts. This marquee was a small representation of why we should all be supporting our local crafts people as you are guaranteed a quality item at a reasonable price by talented and committed individuals.

This year Great Eccleston Show with the help of the “Home Farmer” magazine promoted growing and rearing your own. So all those budding farmers with only a small garden were encouraged to grow fruit and vegetables in containers and were given the know-how on how to breed happy chickens at home.  There were also talks in the Rural Life marquee concerning urban beekeeping and a gardener’s question time which was hosted by Stephen Lowe from BBC Radio Lancashire.  Radio Lancashire presented their programs from the show over the two days with presenter Stephen Lowe entering his jar of homemade piccalilli, although only a small jar it still got a prize and a smile from this comedic presenter.

It was heartening to see the Young Farmers Clubs taking such an active part in this years show. Clubs from all over the county took part in a tug-of-war competition in the main ring which was won by Chipping YFC and proved a popular crowd-puller.

A spokeswoman for the show said “although we didn’t have the greatest weather, we certainly put on a fantastic two day show and the organisers should be very proud with what they achieved. The comments from visitors were great and we hope they return next year with sunshine in their pockets”!