The humble agricultural labourer is often absent from historical records. However, the prizes awarded at agricultural shows can tell you that your forebear excelled at ploughing or could grow impressive vegetables, and reveal even more valuable personal information.
Breconshire Agricultural Society in South Wales was the first county agricultural society, set up in 1755. Such institutions were originally the preserve of the aristocracy and gentry, promoting innovation in agriculture and sharing best practice. Then, from the late 1700s, provincial societies took off. Agricultural shows were a later development to help further societies’ aims, with cattle shows, ploughing matches and
