History

1790’s
An Agricultural Society advertised a Ploughing Match in the Gloucester Journal. Secretary Mr James Yarworth.
1797
Monmouth Races were first held.
1840
Report in the Monmouthshire Beacon that Monmouthshire Farmers Club being formed. Ploughing Match at Wyesham, Premiums awarded for long service, crops, neatest and cleanest cottage and best-cultivated garden. Dinner and speeches took place at the Beaufort Arms for 70 gentlemen. Mr John Rolls of the Hendre in the chair.
1847
Mr T Wanklyn (winner of the best cultivated farm award) feared he might be forced to give up farming due to low prices for his produce as a result of the free trade policies of the government of the day. (Repeal of the Corn Laws 1846)
1849
No entries forward in ploughing with oxen class.
1857
Mr T. Williams proposed that an annual Stock show be held. Mr John Rolls and The Duke of Beaufort contributed £20 and £10 respectively towards a Monmouth Cattle Show Fund. Show held on October 14th.
1862
Joint second prize with Mr Rolls for a field of swedes went to Mr Amos Jones of Priory Farm and his daughter Anne took a first prize of 10/- for a goose and gander. It is noted that Mr Jones had a long connection with the show.
1865
Show cancelled due to cattle plague.
1870
Mr John Rolls died and his son Mr John Allen Rolls took over his position as president.
1871

Reference was made at a Show Dinner that there was need for a cattle market in Monmouth to avoid complaints about the mess in the square.
1872
Show cancelled due to foot and mouth.
1875
New cattle market under construction on Chippenham fields.
1876
Show held in new cattle market.
1877
The following years of agricultural depression saw a gradual decline in the show.
1892
John A. Rolls made 1st Baron Llangattock
1895
The show made a loss of £29 due to a succession of wet summers and agricultural depression.
1896
Show held at Rockfield and dinner replaced with a luncheon in a marquee on the field.
1900
Over 300 entries reported after years of difficulty when, it is said, the show would not have survived without the generous financial support of the Rolls family.
1906
Show brought forward to September and weather and attendance improved. Ploughing matches no longer held.
1907
Dressed poultry, butter and eggs section introduced.
1910
Parade of prize winners in main ring and cottages classes for vegetables were included. C. S. Rolls, youngest son of Lord Llangattock killed in flying accident. Lord Llangattock felt unable to continue as president of Monmouth Farmers Club.
1911
Monmouth Show now a noted event in the life of the town. Over 400 entries and show now held in August.
Mr W. E. Coldicutt aged 25 became new show secretary on the death of Mr W. S. Poole who had held the position for 24 years.
1912
Change to the constitution meant that henceforth a president was invited to serve for one year only. John M Rolls (eldest son of Lord Llangattock) accepted the position. Lord Llangattock died in September.
1913
John M Rolls (2nd Baron Llangattock) became Patron.
1914
Show due to be held on 7th August but postponed indefinitely due to the war.
1916
Three generations of support from the Rolls family came to an end when 2nd Lord Llangattock was killed in action leaving no heirs.
1919
Monmouthshire County Show resumed on 8th August. Record entries, exhibits and gate were reported in the Monmouthshire Beacon. Taylor & Jones showed agricultural machinery. Show moved onto 25 acres at Troy Farm owned by Mr Will Coldicutt.
1920
British Friesian classes added.
1923
Children’s riding classes added. George Breakwell and his son Ben mentioned as prizewinners in these years along with Master Fulke Walwyn and Master Alfred Mullins.
1924
Live poultry section added.
1927
First photographs of the show in the Monmouthshire Beacon.
1928
Show moved to a regular date at the end of August.
1931
Horticultural section added with a separate committee formed to run it.
1935
Galloway Races introduced in an attempt to increase interest and gate.
1939
Show held on Saturday at the end of August just before outbreak of second world war.
1946
Show resumed on Vauxhall (property of the Crompton-Roberts family) after the war as Mr Will Coldicutt had retired from farming in 1944. Show cost £2,000 to present and attracted over 5,000 visitors. A dog show and evening pony racing was introduced and run by separate committees.
1950
Goat section added.
1951
Competitors in the jumping classes included Col. Harry Llewellyn, Miss Pat Smythe and Master David Broome.
1953
18,000 visitors
1956
Show cancelled due to foot and mouth in the Forest of Dean.
1957
Last year of classes for heavy horses. Prize money of £2,000 advertised.
1958
Mr Will Coldicutt died suddenly at his home, Troy Lodge, after being secretary, guide and mentor of the show for forty seven years. Chairman Mr S. Jenkins and Vice Chairman Mr A. Downham chose Mr Ben Breakwell to succeed him. Admission to show cost 4/-
1961
Show cost £6,000 to present.
1962
23rd Show in succession without rain.
1963
Miss Crompton-Roberts died and the Haberdashers Company purchased Vauxhall.
1970
Mr Ben Breakwell died suddenly only a few weeks before the show and the position of secretary was taken over by Mrs Audrey Marshall.
1975
Entries – Cattle 320 Sheep 110 Goats 170 Horses 500 Showjumping 100 Huntsman David Bartlett paraded Monmouthshire Foxhounds.
1977
Show became a limited company. Monmouthshire Show Society Limited. Show cost £32,000 to present. Wet day – net loss of £1,000 made.
1978-1994
More research needed!
1995
Mrs Kay Spencer becomes show secretary and office moves from Monmouth to Raglan.
1997
Countryside area and ring introduced. Displays include farriery, fly casting and hawking, weaving, pole lathe turning and hurdle making.
1999
Very wet leading up to show, straw spread to alleviate problems with mud.
2000
Mrs Rosemary Buchanan was first lady chairman of Monmouthshire Show
2001
Show cancelled due to outbreak of foot and mouth.
2004
Show committee under chairman Andrew James and secretary Kay Spencer make decision to purchase 96 acres on banks of River Wye at Wyesham.
2007
First show on new showground a resounding success.
2010
Mrs Kay Spencer announced her retirement after 16 years as Show Management Secretary and Mrs Anna Williams was appointed her successor.