Agricultural, Horticultural & Stock Societies

Agricultural, horticultural and stock societies were formed in Bedfordshire from the early nineteenth century onwards with the aim of improving agricultural methods during periods of war or economic depression.  As the century progressed the role of the societies in entertaining as well as informing the public, whether at the agricultural show or at a local flower show, gradually came to the fore.

The records of the Bedfordshire Agricultural Society are the earliest and also the most complete of those held by Bedfordshire Archives.  The Society was founded in 1801 to improve systems of agriculture and stock-keeping and encourage industry among farm labourers.  The records under reference X136 include an almost complete run of minutes, 1801-1930, 1962-1970 and show catalogues 1871-1967.  The papers of the Swaffield family of Ampthill (ref: SFM 3/391-419) who served as secretaries to the Society over three generations are useful.  There is also a brief history of the Society up to 1914 (ref: CRT160/52).  The Bedfordshire Shire Horse Society (est. 1890, ref: X160) was founded to improve shire horses through breeding and exhibitions, while the Bedfordshire Chamber of Agriculture (est. c.1898, ref: X720) was more a pressure group and monitored legislation affecting the agriculture interest and wages.

The Sandy and District Floral and Horticultural Society was founded in 1869.  We hold programmes for the Sandy Show for 1869-1921 (ref: Z576/1-6) but the minutes and later records only run from 1925-1956 (ref: UDSV6).  The Haynes Village Produce Association (est. 1948 ref: X742) was founded on a more modest scale staging local shows while helping villagers eke out their post-war rations. The Bedford Horticultural Society was established in 1956 and closed in 1992; its papers can be found under reference Z827.

The records of the Land Settlement Association (LSA) must be mentioned.  In 1935 the pioneer settlement of the LSA was founded at Potton as part of a national movement to resettle unemployed men from depressed areas on the land. Land was donated by Sir Malcolm Stewart to provide 30 smallholdings. Its history is described in the Bedfordshire Magazine (Vol. 20, no. 155, Winter 1985) we have some papers c.1934-1944 (ref: S75-78) and deeds 1935-1985 (ref: X726) and other material such as correspondence (ref: Z1610).