THE dates have been announced for next year’s Mottram Show after more than 3,000 people turned out for the popular agricultural event this year.
The Mottram and District Agricultural Society has already begun making plans for another busy year.
Mottram Spring Show will take place on Sunday, May 2, 2027, followed by the Mottram Agricultural Show on Sunday, August 22.
This year’s summer show was the biggest since the revamped event reopened to the public in 2024, with more than 3,000 visitors heading to the showground at the junction of Apple Street and Mottram Old Road.
Organised entirely by volunteers, the show is one of the country’s oldest agricultural events, having brought people together since 1904.
There was a rise in entries across the sheep, cattle, handicrafts and cookery competitions, while one of the most memorable moments came in the handicrafts tent, as Florence Nugent and her mum became the first mother-and-daughter pairing to win the Hillside Cup for the cookery competition since 1966.
The show also placed a strong emphasis on making the event accessible and welcoming to everyone.
For the first time, a dedicated calm zone was created in partnership with Tameside Neurodiversity Hub, giving visitors who needed it a quieter, low-stimulation space away from the crowds. Concord Mobility provided wheelchairs and mobility scooters for hire, while there was an infant feeding area which was also supported by local charity Home-Start.
There was plenty to see around the showground, including a busy horticultural tent featuring beekeeping and foraging, Hattersley Garden Projects and Mottram Community Centre.
Visitors could also watch cream and sheep-shearing demonstrations, while an unexpected appearance from Goldwing motorbikes added another attraction in the display ring.
The Farming Life Centre was represented in the livestock area, highlighting farmer wellbeing and mental health, while live music came from Graham Larkin, Olly White and Roy Cummings.
Among the guests attending were Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds, High Sheriff of Greater Manchester Mark Llewellin DL, Deputy Mayor Cllr Jacqueline Owen and Miss Manchester Claire Hopwood.
Adrienne Taylor, Secretary of the Mottram and District Agricultural Society, said: “This year’s show was a fantastic reflection of what can be achieved when a community comes together. We were delighted to welcome more than 3,000 visitors and see such strong entries across the competitions.
“Being entirely volunteer-led, the support we receive from local organisations, businesses and individuals makes a huge difference. We’re already looking ahead to 2027 and hope to build on everything that made this year’s show such a success.”
All profits from the event go towards staging next year’s show, allowing the society to continue investing in the event and improving the experience for visitors.
The society is looking for new members to help with the continued development of the show. Volunteers, sponsors, donors and anyone able to offer skills or services are encouraged to get in touch via the website mottramshow.co.uk/
The society has a mixture of experienced and new members, with people of different ages and a wide range of skills helping to keep the long-running event going.