BLISWORTH HORSE SHOW circa 1953

The horse show was typically held in Feast week*, initially on a field behind the mill (Mr. Kelcher's farm
- Park Fields) and later on the grass field of Hill Farm adjacent to the farmhouse.  In fact the Hill farm show
was the last, in 1953.  These photographs  were taken by J Payler at the Hill Farm event, courtesy of the
Osbornes.  In the background to the right can be seen the farm house.
Note the splendid elm tree by the farm yard.

In this shot below can be seen, clearly in the original, the Baptist Chapel, the Coronation Cottages
and a fair slice of Blisworth.  Coronation Cottages is the white building over the horse's tail.

Below, Mr P. W. Thompson, butcher at Broughton, one of many who enjoyed maintaining
these veteran rally carts** which were amiably raced.  Note the acetylene lamps.

Below, another example of a well presented rally cart.

The 'impressario' for the whole event was Ernie Griffiths below, stock dealer whose family now live
in Milton Malsor.  He is preparing to present an award. 

                  Some events re-enacted chases over and  around obstacles with a small pack of hounds.

Quite a few fairly famous eventers were frequenting this meeting in its heyday - above is a
picture of Allan Oliver.  Below is a picture of Mrs Digby-Whitehead who evidently helped with
the organisation of the shows (as indicated in the dedication included in the picture.)  Opinions
differ as to why the shows stopped but a prominent point related to an overly large local
committee to organise it each year and a disagreement developed within that committee.  You
may download a copy in PDF format (1.8MB) of what is probably the first event held, in 1945.

It seems odd to have a reference to L.M.S. Main Line on its front page but, of course, there
would be many people who would take the train and walk into the village from Blisworth station.

*  June 24th approximately
**  I am hoping someone will quickly give me the correct name for these vehicles!