Gerry Brooke looks back at 150 years of the biggest one day agricultural show in the region.

One of the West's oldest and biggest one-day agricultural events, the North Somerset Show, was first held in 1843.

In 1919 the show moved, courtesy of the Smyth family – then the resident Lords of the Manor – to the Ashton Court estate.

Although Bristol Corporation bought the land in 1959, it was a location that the much-loved attraction would call home for some three generations.

Over this time the show – which always attracted hordes of Bristolians keen to be entertained and to see what the countryside had to offer – continued to grow in popularity, size and diversity.

Before World War I and its great social upheavals, various wealthy North Somerset landowners, such as the Gibbs at Tyntesfield in Wraxall or the Eltons of Clevedon Court, would take it in turns to sponsor the event on their extensive properties.

The landowner would be president of the show for that particular year.

In those days the North Somerset Show seems to have been held in the summer, in August, rather than the spring.

Amongst the rotating places where it was held were Leigh Court, at Abbots Leigh, and Barrow Court, above the village of Barrow Gurney.

In 1884, the show arrived in Clevedon, the first of six successful visits which ended in 1905.

In 1886, and again in 1906, the North Somerset Show was at Yatton, in a field next to the station, courtesy of William Say of The Grange.

The event was cancelled during the war years of 1914-18 and again throughout 1939-45 when Ashton Court was occupied by Allied troops.

In 2000 and the three following years the show was cancelled due to flooding, the disastrous foot and mouth outbreak and then turf damage.

The North Somerset Show, which also organises other events such as ploughing matches, could easily have folded but then, after the death of Lord Wraxall, came the chance to buy 134 acres – the Bathing Pond Fields, off the Tyntesfield estate.

Shows have now been held here, on this permanent site near Nailsea, for five years.

This year's North Somerset Show will be held on May Day Bank Holiday, May 4, at the Wraxall show ground.

"In our main ring," show secretary Tim Ledbury told Bristol Times, "will be attractions such as Pony Club games, a hawk and owl demonstration, a bale stacking competition and sheep racing.

"Also on offer will be a large horse show, show jumping, gun dogs, terrier racing, a dog agility competition plus clay pigeon shooting and archery displays.

"People will also be entertained by tractor pulling and local farmer Roger Fortune will be showing off his display of old and new machinery.

"Livestock from across the West – cattle, sheep and pigs plus llamas and alpacas, will be on display.

"Outside the ring will be about 170 trade stands selling a range of goods – outdoor clothing, gifts, plants and gardening equipment.

"Our food hall will be offering visitors the chance to sample some of the best produce, including cider and beer, that the West Country has to offer.

"There will also be hot air balloons."

Advance tickets for the show (please ring 01749 813899) are now on sale, price £7 for adults (£10 on the day) and £6 (£8 on the day) for senior citizens.

A family ticket – two adults and three children – is also available for £17 (£23 on the day).

The show will be opening its gates at 8.30am and closing them about 5.00pm.