ROMILEY AND DISTRICT YOUNG FARMER’S SHOW. 1943 – 2007. Just a few noteables!!
The Young Farmer’s Committee organised a Root and Fruit show in 1943. This was held in the Hill Street School, Romiley. The 2nd. Show was held on Beech Farm Fields, where it was staged each year until after the 1950 Show.
During 1945/6. A Permanent Show Committee was formed with Romiley YFC and Members of Bredbury, & District Horticultural and Poultry Association. The Financial status was 7/8th.YFC. & 1/8th. Horticultural Society. This did not cover voting ratio. The number of representatives for the Horticultural Assoc. had risen in number, but the percentages had not been changed, and continued until 1957. During this year there was a substantial loss and the YFC requested a 50-50 partnership should be formed. This was declined. Following difficult meetings, a hard decision was made, that the YFC would continue alone. Assets were divided on the 7/8th - 1/8th basis. The Trophies, with Donors approval were also divided in this way. With support from the Y.F.Club a smaller show was staged as The Romiley and District Young Farmer’s Show. The Horticultural Society continued to hold an indoor show until 2002?
1951-1954 Shows were held on Sandy Lane Fields, Romiley. I recall Donkey Rides for the children, especially one that brayed minutes before thunder and lightening!!
1955-1957 Shows were on Mill Lane Playing Fields, Bredbury. Mill Lane was not an ideal Show Ground, being too near a steam train railway, and on infill land. One Show, featured a Goat Show and Goat Milking Trial, measured over the Friday Night and Saturday Morning. I also recall tiered seating around the main ring.
1958 -1959 Shows were at Heys Farm, Romiley, - The Young Farmers having to make and clear the hay from the show ground, before the marquees etc. arrived.
1960 The Show moved to Rydeacre, where we stayed for 26years. These years saw The Manchester Guardian report “This Show has outgrown its Title” and we were said to have “the most attractive Show Ground to be found.” The Show was still held in September, so we did have a number of wet, dull days!! 1965 saw the cancellation of the show, due to a waterlogged ground. The ‘gate’ was manned in case our publicity had not been effective – Just ONE person turned up. The Poultry and Rabbit Stewards waited on Romiley Station, to return any exhibits sent by train.
1967 – After the 25th.Anniversary of the Show, held on Saturday. A Harvest Thanksgiving Service was held in a Marquee on Sunday. – Attended by people and Animals. Fish and Chip suppers on the Saturday evening, following the sale of produce not removed by exhibitors. Dances/Disco/etc. in a marquee. Generally a good time was had by all, even the member wearing her wellies beneath her long skirt!! The Morris Dancers were a big attraction for many years. The teams assembled in Romiley, then danced their way to the Showground, until heavier traffic made it too risky. The teams danced to the same
tune, became rather boring by the end of the day, especially for the stewards in the marquee close by.
1971 The N.W.F.S.S.set up a wet weather fund for Affiliated Shows. The aim was to help shows, with financial problems, which were due to bad weather conditions. Romiley were ‘baled’ out by this fund on 5 occasions, between 1974 – 1983. Our losses totalled £3,962. We received £2,275. The Fund closed in 1987 with the balance was paid to the affiliated shows, and Romiley received £135.40p. During this time we were not allowed our own raffle but contributed to the Federation Raffles.
Vintage Tractor section was added mid 1970. Dog Obedience, followed later by a Dog Section, and the NWFSS Miss Romiley was very successful.
1978 1st. of the 2-day Shows was staged, originally for Horses only. No admission charges on Sunday for the first couple of years. Fund raising events by President Cyril, and wife Margaret Barlow, meant more Prize Money was offered, this resulted in better, and more classes being staged, this played a big part in the growth of the Show. We held Antique Stalls and tried various other ideas in the Marquees, and the Two Day show developed. There was also a Fair Ground, which gradually became rather large, and noisy – but very popular with the general public.
1985. Due to changes in farming policy we held the first July Show. This was to be our last show at Rydeacre. The Show had grown – but not the field, as some of the adjoining houses extended their gardens, into the field. We did see some wet weather there, with lots of mud, and ruts. We also had glorious days, and are grateful to Alec, and family for the free use of the land over all the years.
1986 Saw the first of 5 shows held at Middle Farm, home of the Barlow Family. This site was very popular, having a good level area for the Marquees, Show Rings, Trade Stands, and a Children’s Fun Fair. The adjoining Bredbury Hall Club, provided several facilities, and Eric Barlow arranged Show Fund Raising Events there. A Church Service, conducted by the local Minister, and held in the Main Ring on Sunday Morning became a welcome event for a number of years. The laying of a pipeline across the farm in 1991, caused yet another Ground Move. 1991 Show was staged in the lovely setting of Chadkirk, by kind permission of Stockport Council, and the farmer Richard Thomas. With ever increasing safety regulations, the hardworking Ground Crew, now had to erect Height Barriers underneath overhead cables. Chadkirk saw the First visit of Mr. Marsh’s Lord Lascelles, the beautifully restored Steam Engine. The first visit of Racing Camels, with one or two of our brave members volunteering as Jockeys was first seen on this site.
1996We were on the move again, ‘just across the road’ to Mr. & Mrs. Massey, at Waterside Farm. Our present ‘Home’ for 12 years, but just 10 shows. Who can forget the awful Foot & Mouth epidemic of 2001, and the heavy rains of 2007 when after a request from Mr. Massey the show was cancelled the weekend before the show date. Here at Waterside we have seen the Dancing Diggers, Motor car, and Motor Bike Stunts, Pole Climbing, and the ever popular Dog agility competitions, the Local Drag Hunt, with their Horses and Hounds, and my favourite James and family with the Duck Herding displays.
Over the years, there have been many more memorable happenings at Romiley Show. Marching Bands, Tractor Tug of War, Birds of Prey displays, etc.etc.
Through the years, The Show, and their hard working committees have always tried to offer value for money. Staging varying Sections to suit the current trends, and always looking for that something ‘different’.
I set off to make just a short list, but realise I have only scratched the surface of Our Show and its progress. A special mention must be made of the President, other Officials, and Committee Members, and their Helpers, who have worked so hard for so many years in the staging of the Shows.
