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The Mid-Somerset Show, also known as Shepton Show, is a one-day agricultural show held annually in August on a site at Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England. Founded over 150 years ago, the show displays and celebrates agriculture and livestock rearing, crafts and hobbies, local heritage and farming history. Competitions are held for animals, produce and handicrafts in a wide range of classes. Other attractions include trade stands, craft demonstrations and amusements.^[1]

History

The show began life as a ploughing match between local farmers organised by the Evercreech Farmers Club but by the 1870s this had metamorphosed into a cattle show,^[2] appropriate given the dairy farming in the region. Separate classes existed for horses, and for cheese and butter-making. The show championed agricultural improvement and the increased saleability of two local products, Cheddar cheese and cider. Despite breaks for two World Wars, the show thrived. After the centenary year in 1952 the show gradually lost importance as older trades died and farming and food production became more industrialised. A rekindling of interest in rural life and a backlash against intensive agriculture have been suggested to explain the recent recovery of the show's fortunes, despite the competition of larger regional shows such as the Bath and West show held only 3 km (1.9 mi) away. It seems more popular than previously in the local community.^[2] Since 2002 there has been no admission fee to the show although charges are made for competition entries.

The show today

The 153rd show in August 2005 attracted a record (estimated) 15,000 people. Competition classes were held in

Cattle
Horses
Sheep
Pigs
Fodder
Cheese
Cider
Arts and Crafts
Flower Show and Floral Art
Bees and Honey
Classic, Vintage and Steam Vehicles

References

^ "Mid Somerset Show". Mendip District Council. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ ^a ^b "History". Mid Somerset Show. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

External links

Mid-Somerset Show

51°11′05″N 2°32′44″W / 51.184757°N 2.545438°W / 51.184757; -2.545438

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[1] "Mid Somerset Show". Mendip District Council. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[hist-2] "History". Mid Somerset Show. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 [[File:MidSomerset Show 170803.jpg|thumb|right|The cheese tent at the 2003 show]]
 [[File:Alpaca MidSomerset 210805.jpg|thumb|right|Alpacas at the 2005 show]]
-The '''Mid-Somerset Show''', also known as '''Shepton Show''', is a one-day [[agricultural show]] held annually in August on a site at [[Shepton Mallet]], [[Somerset]], [[England]]. Founded over 150 years ago, the show displays and celebrates [[agriculture]] and [[livestock]] rearing, crafts and hobbies, local heritage and farming history. Competitions are held for animals, produce and handicrafts in a wide range of classes. Other attractions include trade stands, craft demonstrations and amusements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mendip.gov.uk/NewsArticleM.asp?id=SX9452-A7827DF9|title=Mid Somerset Show|publisher=Mendip District Council|accessdate=2009-07-04}}</ref>
+The '''Mid-Somerset Show''', also known as '''Shepton Show''', is a one-day [[agricultural show]] held annually in August on a site at [[Shepton Mallet]], [[Somerset]], [[England]]. Founded over 150 years ago, the show displays and celebrates [[agriculture]] and [[livestock]] rearing, crafts and hobbies, local heritage and farming history. Competitions are held for animals, produce and handicrafts in a wide range of classes. Other attractions include trade stands, craft demonstrations and amusements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mendip.gov.uk/NewsArticleM.asp?id=SX9452-A7827DF9|title=Mid Somerset Show|publisher=Mendip District Council|accessdate=2009-07-04|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611191737/http://www.mendip.gov.uk/NewsArticleM.asp?id=SX9452-A7827DF9|archivedate=11 June 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
 ==History==
-The show began life as a [[plough]]ing match between local farmers organised by the [[Evercreech]] Farmers Club but by the 1870s this had metamorphosed into a cattle show,<ref name="hist">{{cite web|url=http://www.midsomersetshow.org.uk/history.htm|title=History|publisher=Mid Somerset Show|accessdate=2009-07-04}}</ref> appropriate given the [[dairy farming]] in the region. Separate classes existed for [[horse]]s, and for [[cheese]] and [[butter]]-making. The show championed agricultural improvement and the increased saleability of two local products, [[Cheddar cheese]] and [[cider]]. Despite breaks for two [[World war|World Wars]], the show thrived. After the [[centenary]] year in 1952 the show gradually lost importance as older trades died and farming and food production became more industrialised. A rekindling of interest in rural life and a backlash against intensive agriculture have been suggested to explain the recent recovery of the show's fortunes, despite the competition of larger regional shows such as the [[Royal Bath and West of England Society|Bath and West]] show held only {{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} away. It seems more popular than previously in the local community.<ref name="hist"/> Since 2002 there has been no admission fee to the show although charges are made for competition entries.
+The show began life as a [[plough]]ing match between local farmers organised by the [[Evercreech]] Farmers Club but by the 1870s this had metamorphosed into a cattle show,<ref name="hist">{{cite web|url=http://www.midsomersetshow.org.uk/history.htm|title=History|publisher=Mid Somerset Show|accessdate=2009-07-04|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717054339/http://www.midsomersetshow.org.uk/history.htm|archivedate=17 July 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> appropriate given the [[dairy farming]] in the region. Separate classes existed for [[horse]]s, and for [[cheese]] and [[butter]]-making. The show championed agricultural improvement and the increased saleability of two local products, [[Cheddar cheese]] and [[cider]]. Despite breaks for two [[World war|World Wars]], the show thrived. After the [[centenary]] year in 1952 the show gradually lost importance as older trades died and farming and food production became more industrialised. A rekindling of interest in rural life and a backlash against intensive agriculture have been suggested to explain the recent recovery of the show's fortunes, despite the competition of larger regional shows such as the [[Royal Bath and West of England Society|Bath and West]] show held only {{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} away. It seems more popular than previously in the local community.<ref name="hist"/> Since 2002 there has been no admission fee to the show although charges are made for competition entries.
 ==The show today==