Sponsorship

The Show where business gets done

Thank you very much for considering the supporting the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society. Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural Society has a vast heritage; the Gillingham Agricultural Society being founded in 1860 and the Shaftesbury Farms Club being founded just two years later in 1862. Eventually in 1930 an agreement was reached and the first Gillingham & Shaftesbury show was held. From then on, on even years the show was held in Gillingham and on odd years the show was held in Shaftesbury. In 1993 the society purchased 92 acres of land, which meant that the show now has a permanent home.

The Show still claims to be the agricultural show of the three counties, with around 1200 members, over 1300 livestock entries, 500 trade stands, entertainment in two rings, and more tractors than several three-day shows. It’s a great day out for both the agricultural trade and families alike. Last year the show was well attended, with 100’s more entries in our exhibiting categories. We saw around 24,000 people through our gates over Wednesday and Thursday in 2023.

Contact: Cat Harris | office@gillinghamandshaftesburyshow.co.uk

Our 2024 Sponsors:

Harts of Stur are delighted to be Main Ring Sponsors at this year’s Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show. Although we are one of the UK’s largest online and in-store retailers of cookware, kitchenware and kitchen electricals, our roots run very deeply into the world of agriculture.

Our fourth-generation family business, established in Sturminster Newton in 1919, started life as the town’s blacksmith, shoeing horses, mending cartwheels and taking on other general repair work. Fast forward to the 1950s when we began retailing agricultural ironmongery and manufacturing basic farm implements. Harts became well-regarded throughout the UK farming community, and we were probably best known for our yard scrapers and feed trailers. The farm equipment was marketed at all the major county shows, including the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show, the Royal Show, and the Dairy Show at Olympia, and even attracted Royal attention and custom.

Today, Harts is a modern and thriving countryside department store selling everything from DIY tools and equipment to camping gear, Country fashion and work clothing, gardening items and kitchenware. Our store is well-known for its excellent customer service, which has earned us several awards over the years. Situated on the first floor above the garden department is the Coffee Loft. It’s the ideal place to rest your feet and take a well-deserved break from your shopping or meet up with family and friends while enjoying freshly brewed coffee and a slice of cake or a delicious light lunch.

Harts of Stur are proud to be associated with the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show who, over the years, like us have grown, expanded and adapted. We look forward to seeing you there!

Member’s area proudly sponsored by Bloomfield & Associates. Bloomfield & Associates are local independent financial advisors based in Shaftesbury, who specialise in investment, pension & inheritance tax planning

Friars Moor Livestock Health are this years Sheep Headline sponsor and Fun, Food & Farming Sponsor. Friars Moor Livestock Health provide expert veterinary services for livestock in Dorset, Somerset & Wiltshire

Barber’s are this years Cattle Headline sponsor.

Peter Harding Wealth Management this year proudly sponsor our tickets and badges.