7th September 1833
The first meeting of the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society
Jersey’s farmers didn’t waste any time when, at a 26 August meeting chaired by the Lieutenant-Governor, a proposal was made to form an agricultural society on the island. Less than two weeks later, on 7 September, the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society held its first meeting, although it wasn’t incorporated by an Act of the States of Jersey until 1884.
It gained the royal patronage of King William IV within its first year, and this has been maintained by each monarch who has succeeded him.
A voice for the island’s farmers
The Society set out to promote modern farming ideas, advance the cause of agriculture, provide better housing for those who worked in the industry and promote good behaviour. Perhaps most importantly, though, it established the Jersey Herd Book, which records the ancestry of every official Jersey cow.
It also, eventually, purchased the land that became Springfield Showground, and used it to host cattle shows. It is now the site of Springfield Stadium where, among other fixtures, it is used for Jersey’s home matches in the Muratti Cup. The Society sold the ground to the States of Jersey in 1994.
The Society was initially based at St Helier’s Halkett Place but has moved to various sites throughout its existence, eventually arriving at its new office and showground in Trinity in 2000.
FREE Jersey history newsletter
Don't miss our weekly update on Jersey's fascinating history. We promise never to sell your data to anyone else, and there's a super-easy unsubscribe link on the bottom of each email so you can leave whenever you want.
Other events that occured in September
Site for Springfield Stadium is selected
- The site on which the 960-capacity Springfield Stadium now sits was owned by the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society.
- Read more…
Jersey man dies 10 days after a fight
- When Richard Blampied picked a fight with the brothers, he could never have imagined that it would lead to his death ten days later.
- Read more…
Jersey man gives evidence at Belsen concentration camp trial
- Harold le Druillenec was the only British survivor of the Belsen camp, where he was sent towards the end of the Second World War.
- Read more…
Jersey Airways plane crashes in a field
- A Jersey Airways plane came down in a field after taking off from Heston. It was the airline’s fifth accident in a month.
- Read more…