Shropshire, Britain's largest landlocked county, has two of the biggest crowd-pulling events that draw visitors to the county town of Shrewsbury from all over Britain, and far beyond. And each sprang from a late 19th century co-operative venture.
Leading the way in the field of agriculture, as it still does, was the Shropshire and West Midlands Agricultural Society which was already established when it played host to the fledgling Shropshire Horticultural Society's first event. Horticulture occupied a single tent on that occasion in what is now Shrewsbury's Quarry Park.
The Flower Show, in August, has long since gone its separate way in The Quarry, while the West Mid has consolidated on its permanent 54-acre Berwick Road Showground on the other side of town, but, like The Quarry, still alongside the River Severn.
A 19th century Shrewsbury horse fair
It is not surprising really that the proud Salopians should want an agricultural showpiece in the county town. After all, Kings had granted various market charters and privileges to Shrewsbury back to the early 13th century.
Possibly the first market for the town came in 1567. A market for butter and poultry used to be held twice weekly at the Market Cross where the Post Office now stands at the top of Pride Hill.
Regular cheese fairs were also a feature of that old Market. By 1847, however, the Shrewsbury Cattle Market Act was passed to establish the Smithfield on land known as Raven Meadows. It was opened in November 1850 and marked by a big banquet presided over by the Mayor of the Borough (this kind of blow-out was customary to mark important events).
Then there was that so called architectural monstrosity, the General Market and Corn Exchange, which was opened in 1869 and only replaced (sadly some say when they survey what took its place) around 100 years later.
Store cattle sales were introduced around 1878 largely through the enterprise of a man well connected with the West Mid, Alfred Mansell, who started selling 200-300 West Highland Cattle at a time to noblemen and gentlemen to stock up their parks.
Round about the time all this was going on, Shrewsbury's public market weighbridge was the first of its kind in the country and enabled the town to pioneer the Public Weighing System and the selling of cattle by live weight in England.
Since 1875, life and times of agriculture have undergone massive changes in farming techniques, machinery and technology. But the West Mid has always kept abreast of, and invariably led, every new trend and still does.
Throughout a century and a quarter, farmers, with their employees, who "tilled and sowed, reaped and mowed", have come together to enjoy themselves in the atmosphere of an awaited annual holiday in the merry month of May after a long winter.
Royalty and the nobility have always shown their support for the West Mid by accepting the role of the Society's President when called upon. However, it remains a show for every family and there are links with the early days through names of the pioneers still cropping up in the vanguard of the organising team, a tradition handed down from father to sons, daughters, grandchildren and even great grandchildren!
In earlier days, it was more than just an enjoyable day out for many farmers. Not only did they come with their families to enjoy themselves and to keep abreast of the latest improvements in farm techniques, they came to meet the various suppliers of agricultural needs and to settle their dues for what they had bought in the previous year.
Start of a Grand Parade in 1925
The traders were so pleased to see them and so anxious to retain their business for another year that largesse flowed freely. For some farmers it was something of a syncopated outing - an uneven procession from bar to bar!
Variations on a successful formula have seen the West Mid progress. The showground has been vastly improved by the introduction of permanent roadways and ever improving facilities for members and the general public.
And, above all, through the foresight of the organisers, it now caters for a wider audience than ever before. As national tastes, habits and mobility have changed, the West Mid themes have kept pace. But for all that, the Society never loses sight of the main goal - the projection and presentation of the vital part the agricultural industry plays in the economy of the nation, despite the ever-rising tide of produce pouring in from all over the world.
It is still primarily an agricultural show, but there is now a big difference. Today it has become an ideal forum where town meets country at leisure, and where new ideas keep up with changing tastes in two days of interest, education, entertainment and enjoyment for everyone.
Thousands of the finest livestock compete for big prize money and prestigious trophies - horses, cattle, sheep, goats, poultry and so on. The most knowledgeable judges in the land and from overseas, make sure all the winners are of the highest quality and many of the prized animals go on to achieve championship status of the highest order in the agricultural show calendar.
Radio and television programmes capture the scene and tell the world about the West Mid Experience. But there is more. The West Mid is a veritable wonderland for children, many of whose knowledge of rural life is all too often confined to the television screen or text books.
Children of all ages can mingle with real livestock in areas where opportunities are provided for them to learn about rural life and times and the skills and crafts of the countryside. The youngsters from the towns are as much the West Mid showgoers of the future as the families of farming stock.
Not surprisingly, therefore, the local education authority plays a big part in the comprehensive nature of the special displays about rural life because the subjects covered are very much part of the National Education Curriculum. Members of the Shropshire Federation of Women's Institutes show they are much more than "Jam and Jerusalem" with special demonstrations of their many skills and crafts which vie for attention with cookery, floral art and rural crafts and a huge shopping pavilion provides a showcase for traders and in another marquee where the tastes of Shropshire really can be appreciated.
Naturally, there is a full Young Farmers' Federation programme highlighting the calibre of the "seed corn" which is preparing the way for ever greater harvests for the West Mid.
Apart from the best livestock in the land, there are displays of vintage and modern farming machinery, exciting arena events and there is always a typical village green entertainment, game fair style displays, and a wide variety of trade stands featuring everything from cars and trucks to outdoor clothing, and the various services which are now an essential part of life, and much, much more.
Obviously, putting together this huge jigsaw needs immense teamwork and the pride of a host of enthusiastic volunteers to perfect the product.
The object is always to put the spotlight on the industry and it is all worth it because it is the most effective way of enabling more people, whatever their background, better to understand the prominent part that agriculture plays in the physical and economic well being of the nation.
An early Ransome tractor
It cannot be overlooked that Shropshire has long been renowned for the standard of its livestock which has always been the finest to be found here and abroad.
Not without good reason, the West Mid is still the showcase and testing ground for stock breeders as one of the first major two day agricultural shows in the kingdom. Champion animals at Shrewsbury invariably go on to win more major honours at other shows and the Royal Show itself, and their progeny have established many famous herds and flocks around the world.
Naturally, staging costs are high and still rising. This is why there is continuing marketing effort to increase the number of paying customers coming through the gates. And you won't find better value for a family day out. But shows of this nature cannot exist on membership and admission charges alone. Other income has to be generated through trade stands, sponsorship and more.
Where better, then, for other industrial and commercial enterprises to publicise their products and services to such a varied public?
Employers might think about sponsoring block membership to reward its workforce by opening a window on to a fascinating world where the agricultural community views its labours round the clock, 365 days a year as much a vocation as a way of earning a living.
Even if a company or business cannot be part of the hundreds of trade stands assembled, there are other ways sponsors can put their names, and praise for their products, before captive audiences of many thousands through advertising banners around the main arenas and entertainment areas.
YES, THERE IS A WHOLE WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY AT THE WEST MID.
