Show History...
an in-depth look at the history of Moorgreen Show!
Our Show History page delves into the history of Moorgreen Country Show, from its humble origins and early beginnings back in 1849, through to its continual evolution over the years that take us right up to the present day.
Origins of Moorgreen Country Show...
The very first Moorgreen Show was staged in 1849 on land adjacent to the Horse & Groom Inn, at Moorgreen, situated a little over half a mile away from the present Showground location in Watnall near Nottingham.
At the time, the Moorgreen Show Society was intending the show to be a showcase for small growers of horticultural and flower produce, most of which were the working people in the area who regarded the activity as a hobby and a useful source of extra food.
Later there was interest shown by the agricultural sector and this added another string to the show's bow.
According to a press report of the time, the 1850 version of the show was very different to today.
The report describes a 'ploughing match' starting events off and that a 'show of stock and roots etc., followed. No doubt the sense of belonging to the land was a much stronger sentiment than in today's more computer centric world!
At the time, however, shows such as Moorgreen Show were the focus of intense interest for the displays of various produce, the usual rivalries between 'prize growers' being present.
Silver and Golden Jubilees...
By the time the society was twenty five years old, the popularity of the Show had increased tremendously, and the Silver Jubilee event, held in 1874, drew a large crowd, not only from Nottingham but from further afield as well.
It was at this point that horse jumping was introduced for the first time, the start of changes which would lead to today's broader popular appeal.
In the year of the show's Golden Jubilee in 1899 the Society had become a force well recognised in the area and the event had grown in size tremendously over the previous fifty years.
The Show stands are one of the reasons for a steady increase in visitors over the years and have included many diverse businesses. For instance, in 1926 there was a funeral director from Eastwood called Hartley who advertised in the programme back then that he had the most up to date funeral carriages in the district and proudly stated that he had taken delivery of a char-a-banc (coach) for large or small parties.
It was also in that year that one local pub proclaimed itself open 'from ten til ten' in a far gentler era of alcohol imbibement.
Today's exhibitors still offer traditional services seen at the Show such as equine products but also encompass items which retail to the general public.
The show organisers also contribute to the economy of the event, in one instance a puzzling item was included in the 1930 accounts for "Wreaths and Dog Machine Hire £5 3s".
During the Wars...
Throughout its long history the Show has seen its share of historical events including, sadly, two world wars. Indeed such was the devastating impact on the nation overall that the Show was suspended for some of the years during these cataclysmic events.
The Society was still in existence however, and indeed, although in 1943 the show was cancelled, the Society made several charitable donations, among them £14 13s. 6d to Nottingham General Hospital.
The recording-breaking 1960's...
In 1965 the show was rescheduled to take place on Monday, part of moves to further improve attendance figures which resulted in record figures four years later with over 19,000 visitors and over 2,500 cars.
More recent times...
The Show's hard working volunteers deal with a much bigger organisational task these days and with just forty people running the event there is always the need for more help.
The costs in running The Show were remarkable by today's standards. The 1923 Show cost a grand total of £279!
Today's show costs in the region of £120,000 to host and involves around 3,000 participants, trades and activities. As The Show moves on, it will be interesting to see how it reflects the changes in wider society, who knows what will be at the Moorgreen Show next year!
Help us expand our history section!
If you have anything of interest regarding the historical aspect of the show, then we'd love to hear from you!
We're especially interested in any older photographs of the Show you may have for publication on the site so that we may further expand on our Show History section.
Whatever you may have, if you feel it may be of interest, then please feel free to contact us through the web site, or send your contributions via email show-history@moorgreenshow.co.uk, and we'd be delighted to take a look.
