The Christleton Village Show

The 1913 show was a show of Cheese, Brood Mares, Foals, Horse Leaping (Show Jumping) and Turnouts(Horse drawn carriages), and again seems to have been extremely well organised. This show is described as an annual show for the whole district, open to residents of Christleton, Great Barrow, Guilden Sutton, Trafford, Picton, Upton, Wervin, Croughton, Plemstall, Tarvin, Stapleford, Hargrave, Huxley, Handley, Waverton, Saighton, Tattenhall, Huntington, Aldford, Newton and Hoole.

The President was J Wahab Macfie Esq JP. of Rowton Hall. Secretary Mr J H Salmon of Rowton and the vet Mr Jas Storrar MSCVS. The committee included Mr Beech, Sam Earlam (Headteacher), Mr Heywood, Mr Lunt, Col Townsend Logan, Mr Witter and many other well known village personalities. The new Rector, Rev. GMV Hickey gave permission for it to be held on the Rectory Field on Wednesday 20th August 1913.

In the minutes for the 1914 Show which was to be held before the outbreak of WWI, Mr Edward Porritt became President, Mr Charles Cullimore Vice President, Capt. Currie Chairman of the Committee with Mr Salmon as Secretary and Treasurer. Mr Porritt gave four additional prizes for the Best Kept Cottage Gardens and Allottments worth 1st £1, 2nd 15/- 3rd 12/6d and 4th 10/-

This Agricultural Show was clearly the highlight of the village summer, and over the years held on other sites in the village including the fields on Birch Heath Lane, Hunter’s field between Littleton Old Hall and Christleton Pit. A glass slide from 1911 shows a huge marquee on the field, and this was used to display flowers, produce and cheese. These activities seem to have ceased between the two world wars and it was 1949 before the Agricultural Shows were revived.

This was held at Littleton Old Hall on Bank Holiday Monday. Thanks to the very kind donation of a programme for the day, we have details of this superb show. The programme indicates that it must have been a very popular event for people from a wide area, and the day was a very long and enjoyable one. There was also the excitement and opportunity of taking to the skies in an aeroplane with flights being offered through the day by Wright Aviation from Hooton.

I was intrigued to see a class for Cottagers who lived within a five mile radius of the Show Ground, with exhibits to be grown by the exhibitor on the premises. There were cash prizes for every event, and a wide programme of entertainment during the day. In fact it was a combination of the present Village Show and Village Fete.

President P. G. Hunter Chairman G.K.L Richardson Vice Chairman D A Dutton
Treasurer R. Gregory. Assistant Treasurer. R. A. Dandy Auditor J Formstone
Advertising; C. J. Mills Veterinary Officer G. Beresford Edwards
Medical Officers. Dr. P. A. Campbell, C. Pownall Commentator. Mr G. N. Milton

This show programme offered Aeroplane flights during the whole of show day, “an opportunity to view the surrounding countryside and City of Chester from the air”. Excitement with safety is the motto of JOYFLIGHTS provided by Wright Aviation Ltd from Hooton. “Comfortable flights at reasonable charges” There were also control line model flying displays and competitions by Chester Model Flying Club.

The Agricultural type shows folded in the 1950’s with the demise of the farming industry in the parish, and in the locality generally. However the Village Fete continued and has been held on various sites; The Old Hall whilst the home of Rector, Rev. A. A. Guest Williams, Faulkners Lodge the home of Mr & Mrs Rae Cullimore Christleton High School, Christleton Hall, and at Christleton Primary School in Quarry Lane.