For the past 175 years the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association has played a key role in promoting the best farming, food, livestock and machinery.
The Royal Norfolk Show, which was first held on June 18, 1847 on the Norwich cricket ground, has become one of the country’s largest food and farming spectaculars.
In this heritage section, the history of this premier county agricultural show is charted from that first meeting in November 1846. A small group representing the East and the West Norfolk Agricultural Associations agreed to form a single body. Two months later, members voted and on January 22, 1847 the Norfolk Agricultural Association was formed with just £300.
The association’s rapid growth, and sometimes near-bankruptcy, forms part of the story of the last 175 years. Other sections to be added will cover the decades from the 1840s as well as the support of the Royal Family as patrons and presidents.
Show reports, photographs and a wealth of archive material will be featured on the website as the RNAA meets the challenges of the next 175 years.
