The 20th Century
1900 to 1999The 20th century started with a small decline in the Bakewell show with the dwindling pig classes being cancelled, with several years attracting a significant loss leading to the show finally becoming insolvent in 1909. This was a dire situation and several
members suggested the society should be wound up but the farmers rallied, many returning their prize monies and the Dukes of Rutland and Devonshire pledged to
support the show financially for the foreseeable future. This situation continued for five years until the show of 1914 just before the breakout of the First World War. Understandably the war put the society’s activities on hold until 1920 when the very first children’s competition was introduced, an essay writing contest.
By 1925 the show had once again outgrown its site and in 1926 the show moved to its present location on Coombs Road and in 1929 changed name for the last time to Bakewell Agricultural and Horticultural Society. Young farmer’s clubs established in Bakewell, Matlock and Hope Valley in the 1930’s were celebrated by the introduction of calf classes for club
members which are still take place today as open classes.
The show was once again cancelled due to the outbreak of war. This period between 1940 and 1945 during WW2 was the last time that the show did not take place.
When the show resumed the society took the opportunity to rethink its range of classes, these changes made the show increasingly popular and in 1955 record attendance for a one day show was recorded.
During the 60’s and 70’s the one day show became increasingly successful, with the erection of the current show offices in 1965 and the introduction of new sections for fly fishing and crafts in 1968 and 1978 respectively, until it finally became a two day show in 1980. This proved to be a very popular move and the transition between a one day and a two day show was seamless.
The show continued to grow and develop, in the early 1980’s the Floral Art section separated from its parent section horticulture into their own tent. This was an amicable split and the new section soon became very popular in its own right. The year of Food and Farming in 1989 saw another new section introduced, aptly called “Food and Farming”. The aim was to
support and promote British food and produce with competitive classes for cheese producers.
In 1993 a Village Green area was added to the
showground for traditional craftspeople to demonstrate their crafts. It has always included a programme of musical entertainment and attractions and today incorporates Storybag 15 Minute Theatre, Bakewell silver band, birds of prey and ferrets.
A major re-organisation of the
showground was needed in 1998 due to the Agricultural Business Centre being built. The
Showground was literally turned on its head but with much time and effort all sections were happy with the new arrangements. This was the same year that the show made it onto the world wide web, a dedicated multi page website was developed and became an increasingly important tool as the society entered the 21st century.
