West Show Celebrates Its 100th Show

Wednesday, 16 August 2023 08:35

Credit: West United Agricultural & Horticultural Society

Organisers of the event say the centenary show will be the best yet.

For the 100th time, the L'Eree showground will try to prove that 'West is Best'.

The inaugural West Show was held in September 1913 after Abraham J Simon convened a group to establish a cottage garden society in Guernsey's western parishes.

The event has been an annual fixture in the island's calendar 100 times since, with absences during the two World Wars and Covid-19 Pandemic.

Committee member Linda Norman says the show has changed over the years but still retains what it originally set out to do.

"Being the 100th show we have just tried to pack the entertainment in. We have a motorbike freestyle stunt team, an exciting magician, skydivers who hopefully - weather permitting - will be landing on both days in the arena, and we also have 'Mini Monster Truck Mania'.

We have our exhibition tent as always with over a thousand more entries this year than in previous years - we think it is the biggest year ever. Lots of people have been baking and growing vegetables and flowers, but also the animal and pet tent has lots more entries too so lots of animals for people to see as well."

The show has not been short of special guests either, including some Royal visitors in 1921 when King George V and Queen Mary attended.

The L'Eree showground is open from 10am to 11pm on 16 and 17 August.