The Royal Bath and West of England Society, founded on 8 September 1777, is the oldest Agricultural Society in the country. It was not the first but it has outlived all its predecessors.
The Society’s founding principles are as true today as they were in the eighteenth century, though the methods through which these objectives are achieved have moved with the times.
From its home at the Bath & West Showground in the heart of Somerset the Society realises these charitable objectives through an array of activities, projects and events; the most famous of which is the Royal Bath & West Show. The Society’s other events include The Dairy Show and the Field to Food Learning Day.
As an agricultural charity the Society has a remit to offer awards, grants and scholarships for the promotion of agriculture and rural arts. This remit manifests through programmes such as The Prince of Wales Award, Environmental Youth Awards, Art Scholarship and Long Service Awards.