The Gilsland Show has a long and proud history, growing from a small local agricultural gathering into the much-loved event it is today. For generations, it has provided an important showcase for local farming, livestock, and rural skills, reflecting the traditions and way of life that shape our community.
Our History
Founded in 1914 over the years, the show has evolved while remaining true to its roots. Many of today’s exhibitors, competitors, and volunteers follow in the footsteps of family members who took part in earlier shows, helping to pass on knowledge, skills, and a strong sense of local pride.
The Show Today
At the heart of the show are our livestock and equestrian classes, highlighting the skill, dedication, and hard work of local farmers and breeders. Alongside this, visitors can enjoy trade stands, local crafts and produce, horticulture exhibits, and family-friendly entertainment.
The Gilsland Show is organised by a dedicated team of volunteers, whose commitment ensures the show continues to thrive while honouring its traditional character.
Above all, the Gilsland Show is about community bringing people together to celebrate rural traditions, support local agriculture, and enjoy a great day out.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Gilsland Show.
The Gilsland Gala and Foal Show Society was formed in 1914, following the demise of the Nether Denton Foal Show. Plans were made for the first show to be held on the first Saturday in September that year.
However, with the outbreak of the First World War, the Society met on Tuesday 18th August 1914 and unanimously agreed that, due to the unsettled state of the country and uncertainty surrounding entries and organisation, the show should be cancelled.
As a result, the first Gilsland Show was held in 1915. From the outset it reflected both agricultural tradition and community spirit, featuring classes for horses, ponies, dogs and sheep, alongside competitions for butter, eggs and bread. True to the character of the time, the programme also included lively sports and entertainments such as running long jump, wrestling (11 stone class), cup smashing, old penny pitching and a pillow fight.
The growing popularity of the horse and pony showing classes eventually led to the creation of a separate equestrian event. Since 1999, the Equestrian Show has been held at the end of July or beginning of August, while pony sports remain a key feature of the main Agricultural Show day.
First AGM
For those of you interested in local history here are the minutes for the AGM of 1914 - I am sure you will find some familiar names here!
The first Annual General Meeting of the Gilsland Gala and Foal Show Society was held in the Reading Room Gilsland on Monday evening February 2 1914 at 7 o’clock.
Mr Adam Fenwick was voted to the chair pro term.
Present - The Revd W G Baird, Messrs J C Hall, Jos Elliott, R W R Wright, John Waugh, Charles Wilson, J Nicholson, Jos Messer, M Henderson, V Armstrong, W Richardson, Irwin Wright, M Dodd, W Howe, M Smith, J Baldry, Adam Fenwick, Irving Bushby, W Green, R H Shaw, J McDonald, S Blackburn, T Armstrong, J Woodmass and C J Dobinson.
Resolved unanimously that Mr M Henderson, be appointed Chairman of the of the Society for the ensuing year.
On the motion of Revd W G Bird it was unanimously agreed that the statements it acts as read bypassed.
The Secretary report was read and approved. Proposed by Mr M Dodd seconded by Mr R W R Wright that Everard J Lamb Esq of Scotby House be elected first President of the Society carried unanimously.
The following Gentlemen were nominated as Vice Presidents
Christopher Lowther Esq Accepted
Hugh Jackson Esq Accepted
Samuel Blackburn Esq Accepted
George Schuster Esq Accepted
Earl Percy Accepted
R D Holt Accepted
Edward Joicey Accepted
Sir Chas Milburn Accepted
Revd W G Bird Accepted
Mr George Robson was unanimously appointed Hon Treasurer.
Mr C J Dobinson was unanimously appointed Secretary.
The Committee appointed were as follows -
Messrs M Dodd, A D Wright, R W R Wright, Wm Bell, R H Shaw, Thomas Armstrong, Robson Forster, A Yeats, Jon Woodmass, Irving Bushby, J Waugh, Adam Fenwick, Joseph Elliot, J G Phillips, J C Hall, Irwin Wright, W Richardson, V Armstrong, I Baldry, Charles Wilson, Wm Green, J McDonald.
Resolved unanimously that should any vacancy arise that the committee have full power to fill it up.
Resolved that Mr Wm Bell of Station House and Mr A D C Wright be re-appointed Auditors.
It was unanimously agreed to hold the next show on the first Saturday in September, but should anything arise to interfere with this fixture that the Committee have full power to alter it to a week later or a week earlier.
It was unanimously agreed that the radius of the Society be confirmed to Brampton and Haltwhistle Unions also Stapleton and Bewcastle.
Resolved that a sub-com: of six persons be formed to draw up the rules and submit them to adjourned General Meeting of the Members -
Sub-Com:
Messrs M Henderson, M Dodd, J C Hall, R W R Wright, Jon Woodmass and George Robson.
Moved by Mr M Dodd, Sec by J Baldry that the Secretary be paid a salary of £5 per year for his services.
Secretary’s Report was read as follows.
Mr Chairman and Gentlemen,
I have much pleasure in submitting to you my first annual report of the Gilsland Gala and Foal Show Society. The Statement of Accounts which I have just read shows a balance of £7.7.3 to the credit of the Society in addition to which we hold prizes to the value of 20/- also since the accounts were made up a cheque value £2.13.1 has been paid over from the Nether Denton Foal Show Society, making a grand total of £1,0,4 a position which any Society would be proud to occupy in its year of infancy, and to my mind anqurs well for its future success. If you take into account the bad weather we had to encounter, I think it is simply marvellous.
For this state of affairs I feel much indebted to an energetic Committee whom I desire to thank most cordially. In the selection of your new committee I trust you will act discreetly and appoint as many of the old Committee as you may think most useful and desirable, regardless of any favouritism as so much depends upon the selection make - think well before you nominate anyone, then act accordingly.
Having made full reference to the past let me now turn to the future with which we are much more concerned, as the past is beyond recall.
It is my earnest belief that a great future lies ahead of this Society if the management look well ahead and work in harmony, as there is every facility and great historical attractions.
The train service is excellent, the accommodation both for man and beast is excellent, and the scenery is also most excellent; It is an extensive and good farming district, approached by good roads and close to the Station, what more could we desire.
The far-famed Blue Grey Cattle are cradled within our area, so are the Blackfaced and Cross-bred sheep. Therefore in drawing up your prize list for 1914, I suggest to you that classes for this kind of stock be added to the list of premiums.
There should also be classes for Butter, Eggs and Bread which would enlist the Support of the Ladies, then again, if you think it would add to the attraction of the show, tempt the shepherd by making classes for his dog, and don’t forget the general purpose Horse.
Should you decide to continue the Hound Trail it must be well thought out and started before the Show commences, as last year you will remember what a lot of confusion it caused in our general arrangements.
Gentlemen, I commend these suggestions to you favourable and wise consideration, and trust you will act with discretion in all you undertake on behalf of the society
I am Gentlemen,
Yours faithfully
C J Dobinson Hon Sec