The story of our show starts with the East Surrey Society Show, which was established in 1837, the year Queen Victoria came to the throne. Eventually, by 1947, the Edenbridge & Oxted Shows merged and held their August Bank Holiday Show in Edenbridge until 1987, when a new showground was purchased at Ardenrun, Lingfield.
The Show has developed a unique friendly character which is probably the main reason for its continued popularity and success. Our visitors come to see the vast number of diverse country activities allied to Agriculture, Horticulture, Horses and Country Sports. Our Horticultural Tent has been described as a 'Little Chelsea'; the standard of the Cattle and Sheep entries are regarded on a par with the larger County Shows. Whilst the Show is a focal point of Country Life, it attracts many other people from all walks of life and from urban areas, thus helping to exchange the views of country folk and townspeople.
The Show is put on mainly by voluntary help with 40 members on the Show council and numerous other stewards on the day. We enlist the help of other charitable organisations such as Scouts & Air Cadets, to help with parking and arena parties etc.
The show also makes annual donations to nominated charities, including the Surrey Air Ambulance, Both Kent and Surrey Branches of RABI (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution), East Grinstead and Three Counties Agricultural and Ploughing Association and Farms for City Children. As well as inviting 2 local charities to make collections over the show. In the past these have included Local Riding for the Disabled Groups and Surrey Air Ambulance.