THROUGH the copperplate handwriting and the slightly musty smell of 150 years in dark cupboards, the great-grandfathers of today's Ryedale Show stare out from the pages of the first book of minutes of the Ryedale and Pickering Lythe West Agricultural Association.

Reading through the first book of minutes of the association, there is a strong feeling of that same sense of community and co-operation that keeps hundreds of volunteers working all year round to produce the Ryedale Show of today.

Even many of the names are the same: Frank, Featherstone, Hardcastle, Hartas, Coultman, Wilson, Stamper, Foxton, Kitching, Jackson. Second to sign in support of that first call for an agricultural show was John Bowes, of Kirkbymoorside. Many will recognise the name as now belonging to the town mayor.

It all started at the end of March, 1855. A group of "influential gentlemen" and tenant farmers crowded into the King's Head in Kirkbymoorside to hear plans for what was to become the Ryedale Show. They were so enthusiastic that several people signed up there and then, some digging deep into their pockets for their annual subscriptions of five shillings - now worth around £18 - (minimum) a head. By others it was called "a small amount".

Captain Legard, of Kirby Misperton, was voted chairman. He lived at the house which is now Flamingo Land's headquarters.Also on the committee was John Phillips of Beadlam Grange, Nawton, who proved to be a hard working and very conscientious secretary over the years he carried out the role.

Having been officially inaugurated, the next task for the association was to acquire a suitable patron. It was resolved that: "A deputation be appointed to wait on Lord Feversham as a Landlord so very largely interested in the district, to solicit his Lordship to allow himself to be named Patron of this Association."

It proved to be an excellent choice. Not only was Lord Feversham willing to be patron, he supported the show well and donated valuable cups and awards still in use today.

The first show was planned for October 3 that same year. The stated aim was to encourage and promote the breeding of good stock and to improve agricultural implements.

The schedule for the first show adds a plea: "It is to be hoped that all those connected with cultivation of the soil, which is the staple business of the district will give the society their cordial support."

But adds a stern warning: "Those animals which are too fat to breed will be disqualified from taking a prize."

People were invited to exhibit horses, cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry. There was also a category for implements - reflecting the fact that many implements and tools at that time were homemade by the local blacksmith up the street or in the next village. Old ways of farming and life in general were demonstrated, too, by the fact that the top prizes went to the most important animal - the horse.

Prize moneys were still very high in those early days. This year, the Ryedale Show offers over £20,000 in prizes for over 800 classes ranging from heifers to pickles, shires to bees. In 1855, there were only 62 classes, but prize money came to £123.5s - that is £8,874 for today's equivalent.

Altogether, £50 (modern equivalent £3,600) went to the horse classes at that first show. Top of the bill was £3 (modern value £216) for the best stallion for hunters. This was followed by a £3 prize for best stallion for coach horses. Then £3 for roadsters before £3 for best stallion for agricultural purposes.

That year, there was also a special prize offered by John Stamper for what was described as: "The best foal by Viscount, dropped this season...£2."

Sheep came in two main varieties in those days. They were Long Wool or Leicester and Black Face or Moor Sheep. Top sheep won nearly twice as much - 2.10s - as the pigs. There were only five classes of pig and they were listed under "large pig" and "small pig". In addition, there was £1 - £72 modern equivalent - for the best pig raised by a cottager.

In 1855, poultry breeding was becoming popular. It was just six years after cock fighting was banned and game cocks and hens are included in the schedule. It seemed local people favoured large breeds of hen, with entry classes for Spanish, Dorking and Cochin as well as game. Top prizes were five shillings, or £28 in modern money.

Cattle classes had £30 total in prizes. In 1855, there were no fancy breed names for the cattle and certainly no foreign imports like Charolais and Simmentas. The cattle of 1855 would all have been the old, traditional, stocky shorthorns, equally suited to dairy and beef.

Right at the bottom in the cattle classes was the generous prize of £2, or £144, for best cottager's cow (the owner not to occupy more than three acres of land).

Cottagers were one of the poorer classes of rural resident - descended through time from medieval serfs. They usually lived in cottages on the landlord's farm and farmed a few acres as tenants in return for work on the big farm. The show committee treated them with due regard for their status and income.

According to the regulations for the 1855 show, people who did not subscribe to the association had to pay five shillings (£18 modern equivalent) to exhibit stock and implements and two shillings and sixpence, half a crown, to show poultry. Cottagers, on the other hand, had just one shilling, or £3.60, to pay to show stock or poultry. That price also included entrance fees to the show yard for the exhibitor and one other person.

The public generally could get into the showground for one shilling in the morning and sixpence in the afternoon.

A week after the show, the committee met at the King's Head in Kirkbymoorside. There is no mention of how the show went, who came or what the weather was like, although it was later decided that the 1856 show should be in August, just after the Yorkshire Show.

There were, however, some "difficulties" arising with local innkeepers who questioned how many people dined at the show. The matter and remuneration was finally resolved to everyone's satisfaction, although it was noted that on the show secretary's bill were lunches for 11 judges and reporters.

Updated: 08:53 Wednesday, July 24, 2002