Another great year at the showground and high hopes for 2025

Many events and thousands of visitors are hosted by the society, a charity, at the DMOS West Mid Showground every year but the Shropshire County Show is by far the biggest and 2025 will mark a special milestone when the 150th show takes place on May 24th.   

The society also has an ongoing commitment to supporting local good causes through its Rural Charity, Community Grant Scheme and its charity shops located across the county.

Ian Bebbington, the society’s chief executive, said: “It has been another really busy year at the showground and planning is already well underway for our showpiece event of 2025 - the 150th Shropshire County Show.

“We can promise another action-packed programme next year and are working hard to bring in the top-line entertainment that provides something for everyone - along with our traditional impressive array of livestock classes.

“It takes a lot of work and funding to end up with a successful event that everyone can be proud of each year and one major way people can support us is through sponsorship. It is integral in our efforts to produce a successful show.”

The Shropshire and West Midlands Agricultural Society was created in the late 1800s and today continues to oversee the maintenance and use of the showground for the Shropshire County Show and many other entertainment, cultural and fundraising events. 

All profit from these events is used to keep the roads, grounds, fences, and buildings on the showground in a good state of repair. It also helps the society fund its Rural Charity and Community Grant Scheme.

Neale Sadler, chair of the Shropshire and West Midlands Agricultural Society, said: “Supporting the rural community in Shropshire has always been our aim, and with the work of The Rural Charity and our annual show, we can continue that support throughout 2024 and into 2025.

“We want to say a huge thank you to all of the businesses that support us and to all of those who donate to, or shop in, our Rural Charity shops across the county. A special thanks to our car boot sellers who have donated items to the charity that are not sold at the car boots on a Sunday morning."

Some of the support provided in 2024 includes: The Sequal Trust where a £500 donation was put towards equipment for Hannah - a Grid Pad, with Grid 3 software, a USB controller, mouse, keyboard and case. Hannah, 34, has Cerebral Palsy, is unable to walk or talk and has been provided with speech aids with digitised voices and computer access - enabling her to continue to help out at voluntary centres.  

The charity is also supporting Shropshire Scouts, who need help with transport costs to get 20 young people to Portsmouth to take part in a weekend with the Tall Ships Youth Trust this March.

A funding award was also made to Oswestry Senior Citizens Club in the form of a donation towards a new pressurised hot water tank, and support was given to the Friends of Clunbury School who wanted a storytelling wooden chair - with the Rural Charity working with Shrewsbury Men's Shed to make one for them.

Sponsorship packages for the West Mid Showground and Shropshire County Show 2025 are now available, and people can find out more by emailing sponsorship@shropshirecountyshow.com or calling 01743 289831.