Wetherby Agricultural Show

The first ever Wetherby Show was held in 1840, run by a group of local farmers who formed Wetherby Agricultural Society. The town has enjoyed an annual show at Grange Park every year since then, apart from the intervals during the two wars and more recently in 2001, owing to the Foot and Mouth outbreak.

Many local farming families have been involved with the Show for generations and Wetherby's rich agricultural heritage remains at its core. Combining popular, traditional elements such as show classes for prize winning cattle and livestock with additional attractions such as dog shows, show jumping and crafts, the show's aim is to educate and entertain.

Originally held on the Tuesday following May Bank Holiday, Wetherby Show enjoyed its hey day in the 70's and 80's. It is now staged on a Saturday in mid-June and continually strives to attract the crowds in the face of growing competition from other leisure pursuits in the area. It relies heavily on a band of willing local volunteers and counts on the continued support of both local businesses and the people of Wetherby to ensure its future.

Despite the advent of increasingly difficult times in the farming sector as a whole, Wetherby Agricultural Society hopes that the show will remain for many years to come, drawing attention to the vital role agriculture plays in this community.

The Wetherby Festival

In 1977 the Rev. Jonathan Bailey, Vicar of St.James' Church, realizing the potential for 'the arts' in the town, mooted the idea for a Wetherby Arts Festival. He called a public meeting and on a promise that a Literary Luncheon would be organised, the first Festival took place that year, and now, twenty six years later the 16th . Wetherby Festival is being organised for October 2003.

Fifteen local amateur groups will contribute events - theatre, drama, art, embroidery, music, film, historical, as well as professionals such as a 'Rolling Stones' tribute band, Leeds Symphony Orchestra, The Kate Busby Band, Mikron Theatre and Gardeners' Question Time. Famous names from the past include Dora Bryan, Alan Bennett, Ashley Jackson, Michael Bentine, Irene Handl, Humphrey Lyttleton and Helen Shapiro, George Melly and Kenny Ball. Chairman of the organising committee is Davis Shaw and Ted Kilner is Artistic Director responsible for booking celebrity performers for Wetherby. An estimated 8,000 people are involved in each Festival, organising, performing and spectating. The word 'Arts' has been removed from the original title as it seemed to denote some elitism and it is stressed that the Wetherby Festival is for everyone, young and old and for all tastes.

Wetherby in Bloom

Wetherby's aspirations to become one of the best floral towns in Britain began in 1989 when we entered the Yorkshire Regional Competition for the first time. We began with a few hanging baskets, a couple of hayracks and some concrete tubs scrounged from Leeds City Council. The flagship project on the Wilderness Car Park began in 1991, and some £10.000 was raised by public subscription. The project received two major awards and is still maintained throughout the year by a team of dedicated volunteers.

Today the town has over 250 hanging baskets, 40 plus feature Planters and has many displays in commercial Premises and Public areas, including the Garden of Rest and Bridge Foot. The town has been awarded the Yorkshire Regional Best Town Trophy more than six times, won the coveted European Entente Floral Gold Award in 1999 and a Silver Gilt Award in the same competition in 2002. A major element in the town's success is the established partnership between the community in the form of volunteer groups, a local nursery in Sicklinghall, local businesses represented by the Chamber of Trade, Wetherby Town Council and Leeds City Council. The co-ordinated efforts of all these groups make a significant contribution to the enhancement of the environment which is enjoyed by those that live and work in the town and by its many visitors.