History
25TH ANNIVERSARY ON THE SHOWGROUND
Since 1909 the Society used various local sites for the Show. In 1984 the opportunity arose to acquire 87 acres of Priors Court Farm at Chieveley which had been put on the market by the executors of the late Gerald Palmer. The site was ideal, being at the crossroads of southern England with the ability to attract both exhibitors and visitors from far and wide. Moreover the land was firm and dried out very quickly.
The land was acquired that summer with Peter Carter, Roger Chapman and Clem Cooper becoming the first trustees of the land. The purchase at £205,000 was made possible by support from members and the bank. Subsequently a further 45 acres was acquired. Much work and further planning had to be carried out before the Society could hold a show on the site in 1985.
Overall it took particularly outstanding teamwork, under Chairman Stephen Burman, both to manage the set up of a new Showground and also to arrange another successful show; more so since in April that year Lew Spencer, the secretary of the Society, tragically and suddenly died. According to the 1985 President, now Sir Philip Wroughton KCVO, “Stephen has been a tower of strength and indefatigable in his quest for perfection. He has found a successful solution for each problem in his quiet and resolute way”.
The site acquired was basically a field of stubble. Considerable thought was given to the design of the Showground which was modelled on the one used at the former Shaw site. Work included putting in place fencing and roadways as well as arranging adequate entrances. Various large holes had to be levelled out. Many local farming families assisted in different ways, including providing grass seed, fertilisers, machinery and, very importantly farm staff. The Society was able to save £24,000 for tracking put down on the Shaw site.
Since then the facilities have continued to be improved, financed mainly from Show surpluses. The subsequent provision in 1988 of the Show Offices, through the support of the late John Norgate of Trencherwood, has been beneficial, providing excellent office accommodation and a location for meetings. For Beryl Fisher, Assistant Secretary for many years, it avoided the need to transfer records from the old Cheap Street office to caravans for the weekend! The Showground is now regarded as one of the best there is in the country.
In the prophetic words of Sir Philip Wroughton in 1985, “I am in no doubt that the Society’s decision is a real coup and will be vindicated for many years to come.”
Read more about the history of the Society here.
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