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History of The West Show

Cattle shows

Jersey dairy farmers have long had a tradition of showing the quality of their herds at parish cattle shows. Over the years, the number of competitors participating in these shows dwindled and spectators were limited mainly to those directly involved in the dairy industry.

In 1997, the organisers of one of the Island's few remaining parish cattle shows, the Three Western Parishes Show encompassing St Mary, St Peter and St Ouen, met to find a way of re-vitalising their show and attracting a wider audience. The Cattle Association of the Parish of St Brelade was invited to join them, the West Show Association was formed, and the West Show was born.

Aims of the Association

The aims of the West Show Association include:

• Providing and encouraging the provision of facilities for showing and exhibiting Jersey cattle.
• Providing and encouraging the provision of facilities for educating, informing and promoting public interest in Jersey, in the history and the present and future development of Jersey cattle, and in Island life and culture.

The show

Every two years, the parishioners of the four western parishes - St Brelade, St Mary, St Ouen, and St Peter - are invited to a celebration of all that is good about Jersey and to remember parts of Island life that, sadly, we have lost. The show takes place on a 55 vergée site in St Peter’s Village.

The rest of Jersey is invited too - so long as they are happy to concede that living in the west of the Island is better than the east and that there's still more to Jersey than banks and swish office blocks in St Helier. For two days, the Island's capital becomes St Peter and all roads lead west!

What makes the biennial West Show so special?

• The show offers an environment in which to reflect on all that is good about Jersey's rural traditions - past and present.
• The show encourages an interest in country pursuits - for a population that predominantly lives or works in an urban environment.
• The show offers a taste of temps passé - a gentler age - and of the "Jersey way".
• The show provides a focus for the community, and community spirit - attracting thousands of residents and tourists.
• The show provides a full day’s entertainment for a competitively priced entry fee.
• The show has a friendly carnival atmosphere.
• The show promotes Jersey's history and culture, Jersey produce and crafts, showcases local clubs and associations, offers "headline" attractions from the UK and France (sometimes further afield), and provides non-stop spectator events in three arenas.

Country shows have been held in 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006 2008, and 2010. A cattle show is held each year – the only remaining parish cattle show.