ABOUT THE RASE AND THE ROYAL SHOW:

When you look back at the rapid agricultural progress of the 19th and 20th Centuries, stop and think how many things were influenced along the way by the RASE:

1840 RASE was granted its Royal Charter by HRH Queen Victoria
1845 Formation of the Royal Agricultural College
1866 Recommendations lead to the introduction of Cattle Diseases Prevention Act
1870s Creation of the country’s first experimental research stations
1895 Milk quality assessment introduced at the Royal Show – the precursor of modern milk recording schemes.
1899 National examination board established to promote agricultural education – the origins of the National Diploma in Agriculture and the model of today’s specialist exams
1920 Tractor trials established the tractor in general farm use
1944 Conference on post war farming shapes the 1947 Agriculture Act
1973 Formation of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust
1975 Formation of the NAC Housing Association (now the Rural Housing Trust
1989 British Food and Farming Year
1990 Established Linking Environment & Farming (LEAF)
2001 Established Farming & Countryside Education (FACE)

In 1838 a group of individuals with interests in agriculture - journalists, landowners and enthusiasts - had become convinced that science would help English agriculture become more productive and meet the growing food requirements of a booming population. They founded the RASE with this aim; though its attainment has seen remarkable changes of fortune over the years.

After the Napoleonic wars, popular opinion turned against ‘new fangled nonsense’; but the Society’s Journal and growing commercial prosperity rekindled enthusiasm for innovation with the early Victorians. Change followed, with rapid advances in agriculture and controversies and problems for the Society.

Then there was the agricultural depression to contend with where successive governments relied on cheap imports at the expense of home production in the 1930’s.

In the post-war revolution the Society helped research and development in agriculture to take off once again; the industry looked forward with new initiatives and opportunities.

WHAT'S ON IN 2009

Grand Ring

Opening ceremony – including an Agricultural Parade
Kangaroo Kid
Parade of different Hound Packs - with meet and greet the hounds in the arena.
1066 Pipes and Drums band (Thurs & Fri)
Heavy horse musical drive – Spectacular sight of heavy horses in elaborate harnesses pulling vehicles.
Show jumping classes
Exciting scurry classes
Judging classes – new commentary for all classes to inform and educate the public
Coaching marathon – Traditional style carriages being pulled by teams of horses including road run culminating in the grand ring.
Burke perpetual challenge trophy – best pair of beef and dairy animals. (Livestock Parade)
Interhunt team relay (Fri)
Closing ceremony - including 1066 Pipes and Drums band.
CONCERT - Latin American dance band “Palenke”. Come and enjoy the show during the day and stay for the concert. (Wednesday evening 7.30 – 9.30)
Click here for the full Grand Ring programme.

Countryside Arena Features
In partnership with the Countryside Alliance

Varied and exciting day-long programme of displays including Falconry, Ferrets, Dog Agility, Horse Logging, Hounds show and Game to Eat.
Traditional Country Crafts demonstrations including Walking stick maker, Corecal maker, Mole catcher, Blacksmiths, Cane maker, Thatcher, Chainsaw carver and many other crafts.
Flower Show

NAFAS Floral Art Competition.
Workshops each day in Flower Show Marquee run by NAFAS.
Community area

Vegetable and Plant Competition for amateur growers. If you wish to enter, please download schedule here. Closing date: 26th June 2090.
Come and see the work of UK organisations in the community and projects they deliver specifically highlighting the community with British food, farming and the countryside.
Concourse

Steel Pan Academy
1066 Pipes & Drums band
International acts
Entertainment

Punch & Judy (Berkley Square)
Coventry Mummers (Avenue M)