Bedfordshire Agricultural Society

The survival rate of records is generally good and includes an almost complete run of minute books, 1801-1970, and show programmes, 1871-1967. Indeed, the first minute book is probably the earliest record of its kind for any local Bedfordshire society.

INDEX

X 136/1 Minute books 1801-1970

X 136/2 Sub-Committee/Joint Committee minutes 1896-1970

X 136/3 Ledgers 1934-1956

X 136/4 Cash books 1949-1963

X 136/5 Cheques Drawn book 1945-1960

X 136/6 Collecting and Deposit book 1944-1949

X 136/7 Subscription ledgers 1928-1964

X 136/8 Prize Fund Account books 1946-1956

X 136/9 Newspaper cuttings 1962-1968

X 136/10 Show catalogues and schedules 1871-1967

X 136/11 Miscellaneous Society material 1935-1964

X 136/12 Non-Society material: Bedford and District Almanacks 1853-1862

The first deposit of records was made in 1946-7 and several further consignments were received up to May 1995, when the entire archive was recatalogued.

The Bedfordshire Agricultural Society was founded at Bedford on 22nd July 1801, with Francis, 5th Duke of Bedford, as president. The Society aimed to encourage improved systems of agriculture and in the early years ploughing matches were held and labourers rewarded for long service. Gradually the Society expanded the scope of its activities, both geographically(from the 1850s meetings were held in other local towns apart from Bedford)and in terms of appeal(by 1871 competition classes had appeared for ponies and donkeys and for butter, fruit and other produce). By the late nineteenth century the shows attracted far more attention from the general public, and while still influencing farming standards laid more emphasis on entertainment as well as displaying agricultural processes and products. A comprehensive history of the Society has not yet been written but a summary history(CRT 120/26)remains the best survey of its activities up to 1914.