Foreword by Colin Rayner

I cannot tell you how touched and honoured I was to be invited to be your President for another year and how pleased I am that the show is at Chertsey Meads again, which is surely one of the most beautiful showground’s in Surrey.
 
As with all great institutions, the history of the Show has not been without incident. It has had to cope with appalling weather, rising fuel costs, and the horror of the Foot and Mouth Disease. However, it has come through all these exigencies with strength and resilience and, of most importance, it has always given the greatest possible support to the farming and rural communities of Surrey. Indeed, the fact that agriculture is still so much at the heart of Surrey life is largely thanks to the Chertsey Agricultural Association and those who have led it over the years and I do congratulate them all.

Members, Ladies and gentlemen, I have said this before and I will say it again until my dying day - our countryside and our Chertsey farming and rural communities are some of the most precious natural assets we have. They uphold and sustain a way of life and a culture. We must always remember that agri-culture is exactly that – a culture and a way of life - not just yet another industrial process.

Chertsey Agricultural Show is the largest two day agricultural show in Surrey, attracting around 10,000 visitors. It takes place annually on the second week of August at The Chertsey Meads, bringing the best of the countryside right to the heart of the town.

The Show is a fantastic day/weekend out for the whole family, combining entertainment and fun with the opportunity to see first hand the many aspects of country life and farming. There is always a warm welcome for children, so no-one in the family need be left out. Please do not forget that we still allow dogs on the show green.

The centre of excitement is the Main Arena, where the ‘Knights of the Dammed’ give thrilling displays, show jumpers battle it out and the cream of our pedigree cattle and sheep show off their championship rosettes in the great parade, plus our classic car and motorbike displays.

During the show weekend at Chertsey Meads, we have our Livestock arenas and marquees. Here you can see the great diversity of cattle and sheep breeds from hardy natives to big continentals. They are the farmers’ pride and joy, immaculately turned out for the show ring. You can meet the farmers too and even learn to milk a cow!

The South side of the showground has the Dog Ring where you can watch displays of working dogs, plus we also have the Pet Tent.

Horse riders and horse and pony showing classes are traditionally a popular feature of the show.

Chertsey Show is a Shoppers’ Paradise with 5 acres set aside each year for shopping malls, packed with trade stands selling everything from tractors to wellie boots, sheepskins to oriental spices, fashion clothes to saddlery and garden furniture. There are miles of tents and marquees; judges scrutinising everything from 1.5 tonne bulls to hens’ eggs, hand knitted jumper displays and show horses.

Our web site offers lots of information about the activities of the Chertsey Agricultural Association.

Ladies and gentlemen, nothing could give me greater pleasure than to wish Chertsey Agricultural Show a very successful event this year.

Please support the show, classes and entries!

Best Wishes

Colin Rayner
President

ARENA EVENTS
CATTLE
CHILDREN’S COMPETITIONS 
CLASSIC CARS
CLASSIC MOTORCYCLES
CORN HAY & STRAW
CRAFT
DOG SHOW
DOG AGILITY SHOW
DONKEY SHOW
DOMESTIC
FLORAL ART
GOATS
HORSE SHOW
HORTICULTURAL
JUDGING TIMES
PET SHOW
PIGS
POULTRY
SCARECROWS
SHEEP
STANDING CORN MARKET ACREAGE
TRADE, CRAFT & FOOD MARQUEES