The Great Harwood Agricultural Society was formed in 1857.  Mr Lawrence Catterall and Mr Lawrence Lee of Martholme were the organisers of the first show and entries for that year included horned cattle, horses, bulls, sheep and pigs. Harwood Brass Band supplied the music and at 5 o'clock a dinner was held at the Cross Axes.

Year by year entries increased and new classes were introduced, including dogs and poultry.  There were classes for butter, cheese and oatcakes.  In 1868 the first prize for a "firkin of old butter" was won by Great Harwood Co-operative Society.

A hundred years ago entries were topping the 800 mark and that year a new interest was created by the trotting races. There were six competitors who raced six times round the course. This time the dinner was held at the Walmesley Arms.

In December 1925 the society bought some land off Wood Street, Great Harwood.  It was named, not surprisingly, the Showground. Here, with the exception of the war years and for two years due to the restrictions of foot and mouth disease, the annual show has been held.

In January 1970 part of the land was sold to Great Harwood Football Club, but the show continued to be held there.  Over the years, different attractions and more show classes have been added, changing to suit the times and tastes of exhibitors and visitors,  with the society trying to avoid the fate of many of the other agricultural societies, which have sadly disappeared, mainly due to the lack of committed helpers and the financial situation.

In 2008, after several years of looking for a suitable alternative site to accommodate the growing size of the show, the society seized the opportunity to buy a 40 acre site on the junction of Harwood Lane and Whalley Road

This is now known as the New Showground

 A lot of effort was put into improving the site in time for the 2009 show; adding roadways, making wider gateways for safe access, draining the field, fencing off an area for the car park and trimming and replanting the hedges and boundaries.

The first show held there was a resounding success, attracting more than double the usual number of visitors. We now have room for the provision of larger marquees, more rings for the ever-expanding horse section, a permanent arena for displays, and more agricultural and community–related events, with local produce, crafts, stands and children’s competitions.

Our aim is to build on the success of the move by continuing the improvements to the land, particularly the drainage, the parking area and the roadways.  The society also hopes to hold more events during the year to make the best use of the venue.

(Details of these events can be found on the 'News' page)

We would like to share our success with other societies, groups or individuals in Hyndburn and the surrounding areas, so are offering the use of the New Showground for a limited number of events each year. To take advantage of this, please contact the secretary. (See Home or Contacts Page)

By having an advertising banner at our shows, sponsoring an event, or becoming a subscriber, you can help to ensure the continuation of a tradition which is slowly but surely dying out in most urban and many rural areas.