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Normally this week, tens of thousands of people would have been reflecting on the delights of another Kent County Show. The annual smorgasbord of the county’s products and produce has proved a family favourite for almost 100 years. But like so many cherished events this year, the health crisis forced this year’s event to be cancelled.
However, determined not to allow the annual celebration of all things Kentish pass us all by, Screen Archive South East, in partnership with the Kent Archives, has made rare footage available from the show dating all the way back to 1936. It allows a virtual nostalgic trip back through the history of the event, which showcases everything from cutting-edge farming and competitions, fresh fruit and veg, to family-friendly displays. Established by the Kent County Agricultural Society, this year’s show should have run from Friday to Sunday, July 10-12 at the Kent Showground in Detling, Maidstone. It would have also have been blessed with good weather. But the crowds will now have to wait until Friday to Sunday, July 9-11, for next year’s show. Yet Detling was not always the location of the annual event; in fact, Kent County Shows have taken place across the county over the years, including Sevenoaks and Canterbury.
The Kent County Agricultural Society was formed in 1923, the same year the show was held at Wombwell Park in Gravesend, at the time declared by the mayor as “the greatest advertisement the town had been privileged to enjoy”. More than 15,000 people arrived to see which prize animals would win rosettes, from cattle, to sheep and horses. The following year marked the first time a member of the Royal Family attended, with
Prince Henry taking a visit to the show held at Barrow Hill in Ashford.
After a year at Knole Park, in Sevenoaks, the show moved to Folkestone for two years, introducing the jumping and driving classes as well as sheep dog demonstrations, which racked up lots of spectators.
Prior to the outbreak of the Second World War it was held in Canterbury twice, with huge crowds flocking to the 1937 event.
It was thought that good weather and an appearance from the Duke and Duchess of Kent convinced people to venture out to see what was on offer.
As the country prepared for war in 1939, the show was cancelled so farmers could focus their attention on producing food for the nation.
After hostilities ceased, the show was then staged at Mote Park in Maidstone from 1947 to 1963.
The winner for first prize in the ‘cow in calf’ category in 1949 was none other than Winston Churchill, who lived in Chartwell, near Westerham, who collected his rosette and cup in person.
One of the big pulls during the 1951 event was the cherry and soft fruit show, though Kent cherry farmers were left disappointed as Berkshire cherries pipped them to the top prize. With food rationing still in force, many sweet treats would have likely been a rare sight. By 1964, the Kent County Agricultural Society found its permanent home in Detling, where the show has taken place ever since.
Screen Archive South East is hoping to build an even more comprehensive archive of footage from Kent’s past which they can digitise and make publicly available.
It is urging anyone who owns or has access to any early film footage to get in contact. To see the archive films, visit tinyurl.com/virtualkent.