Description:Spectators watch the judging in one of the strongly-supported bull classes at the Brewood and District Agricultural Society’s 43rd annual show, held on Bank Holiday Monday 2 August at Somerford Park, Brewood.
Although sharp showers of rain drove visitors under cover from time to time, they crowded round the judging paddocks during the sunny spells. The attendance was higher than the 10,000 last year, but officials believed that it was below the 15,000 needed to ‘make ends meet’ and prevent a loss being made for the second year. Mr Arthur Peters, the show Secretary believed that television was a definite factor for the reduced attendances of recent years.
Total entries in the show were 465 compared to 427 in the previous year. In addition to the stock classes and a grand parade of stock around the arena, the show had various side-show attractions and stalls for both the countryman and town dweller throughout the day. A favourite with visitors was the sheep dog trials, with entrants from all over the country including Scotland and Wales. There was a tractor driving contest for farm workers to test their skills and in the Horticulture section there were just over 500 entries.
It was reported in the Staffordshire Newsletter that almost continuous rain and occasional storms made the 1954 August Bank Holiday one of the most miserable for many years and many people stayed at home to watch television, or go to the cinema or theatre. Rainfall in the Cannock Chase area was recorded as heavy to moderate with Sunday as .34 inches per hour and Monday as .29 inches per hour. After a storm on Monday afternoon the weather improved with a warm spell and attendance at the show increased.
This photograph was published in the Staffordshire Newsletter on Saturday 7 August 1954. Reproduced by Kind permission of the Staffordshire Newsletter who retain copyright.