Royal Agricultural Show in Hoole: Difference between revisions

On 29th29 January 1892, a delegation of The Royal Agricultural Society visited Chester, to inspect the submitted sites. These were now down to two, the Upton site having mysteriously disappeared from the list. Following the inspection, the delegation was entertained to lunch at the Grosvenor Hotel by Robert Yerburgh. It then proceeded to visit Eaton Hall to look at the Duke of Westminster’s world-famous stud. What was left of the day was devoted to inspecting the rival Manchester’s sites.

Five days later, on Wednesday 3rd3 February, at 12 Hanover Square in London, the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) met in session to hear the presentations of Chester’s and Manchester’s local committees. Charles Brown spoke first and praised the unique position of Chester in the agricultural world, positioned as it was in a largely rural county, in close proximity to Wales and Ireland. Robert Yerburgh M.P. was more brutal in his remarks; he pointed out that it was better that 50,000 agriculturalists “''athirst for knowledge''” should come to the show in Chester than that 500,000 factory operatives should visit a show in Manchester for mere spectacle, or “''gapeseed''” (something stared at by a gaping crowd).

Outside the ground, there had been major changes, to cater for the expected throngs of visitors. A footbridge had been constructed by the Joint Railway Companies, from one of the General Station’s main platforms to an exit on the Hoole Road (its bricked-up entrance can be seen on the south side of Hoole Road today). This bridge was in continuous use until 1967. Hoole Road had been widened from Newton Lane to where the United Reformed Church is today (note the extra-wide footpath on the north side of Hoole Road). A partial one-way traffic system was introduced, up the Hoole Road, for the duration of the Show, which hackney carriages had to follow. Lightfoot Street was paved for the first time as a consequence and was described in the newspapers as “''The most elegant thoroughfare in the whole of Europe''” ([[Streets of Hoole & Newton|'''Streets of Hoole & Newton''']]).

'''Saturday, 17th17 June''' dawned hot and dry, as indeed it had for the previous seventeen weeks. There had been a drought in England, with only two days’ rain since early April, thus belying Mr. Bennison’s (the Society’s surveyor’s) earlier fears for the possible muddy condition of the ground at the Chester Show.

'''Sunday, 18th18 June''' was equally odd. The public were excluded from the show all day. We perhaps would think of Sunday as being the day that would attract most visitors, not so in the late Victorian period. The day began with Divine Service for the four hundred grooms, shepherds and herdsmen, in the large tent that would be used later in the week for the Society’s Annual General Meeting. The service was conducted by the Bishop of Chester, the Rt. Revd. Francis Jayne, assisted by the Duke of Westminster’s chaplain. A sermon was delivered, and hymns were accompanied by the band of the 14th Hussars, which played for the rest of the week from its position in the bandstand.

'''Monday, 19th19 June''' was the “First Day” – Judging Day. The entrance fee was 5 shillings. (25p) (£25). There were 2397 visitors. The drought continued, the temperature being 103°F [39°C] in the shade. Whilst the judging continued, one of the steam engines caused a fire, setting the canvas awning of one of the displays alight. The fire brigade was on hand to extinguish the flames.

'''Tuesday, 20th20 June''' was the “Official Day”. It was also very dusty and very hot. The entry fee was 2s 6d (£12.50) Visitor numbers were 20,959. The Prince of Wales arrived, having driven through Chester, along City Road, and up the Hoole Road, accompanied by cheering all the way. He conducted a tour of the stands and then officiated at the Society’s General Meeting, where the new President (9th Duke of Devonshire) was installed. Reference was made in the speeches to the depression in agriculture. At the end of the meeting the Prince and his guests repaired for lunch to the Royal Pavilion.

'''Wednesday, 21st21 June''' was hot and dusty again. The entry was again two shillings and sixpence. Attendance was 19,034. The Prince of Wales left Chester at 1pm, for a dinner engagement in London that evening.

'''Thursday, 22nd22 June''' was the so-called “Popular Day”. Entrance was cheaper, at one shilling (£5 equivalent), and there were 59,555 visitors, the third highest figure in ten years. In the afternoon, rain started, and went on for several hours: the drought had broken.

'''Friday, 23rd23 June''' saw continuous rain. The temperature was 54°F [12°C]. The entrance fee was again one shilling. Attendance was 13,664, the lowest attendance on the last day of a show for ten years.

However: on '''Saturday, 24th24 June''', as a reward for their efforts in working twelve to fourteen hour shifts to control the crowds, the police were offered a police sports in the large show ring, including a 3-legged race. The Duke provided the prizes.