The Warminster Jersey Show, which was held as an additional attraction to the 29th Annual Show of the Warminster Amateur Rose Club, in the grounds of Christ Church Vicarage, on Thursday 7th July 1898, was the idea of the Rev. W. Hickman.
“At first sight,” commented the Warminster & Westbury Journal, “The connection between a rose show and cattle is not very apparent, but one had only to look at the delicious plates of strawberries [for some reason as well as 12 classes for roses at the show there were also two classes for strawberries] and think of the rich cream yielded by Jersey cattle to see how closely allied they are in one’s mind on a hot summer’s day. Combined the two departments formed an attractive show, and during the day it was visited by most of the elite in the district.”
The show of cattle was a remarkably good one and according to the judges the entrants (which numbered 27 animals), were equal to the exhibits at many of the smaller county shows. The occasion was blessed with fine weather and the schedule was divided into three classes.
The Warminster & Westbury Journal reported “In the class for calves under one year there were five entries, and a good lot of ‘youngsters’ they were. That exhibited by Dr. Alcock, which secured the blue ribbon, was a very promising animal, but he was run very close for first place by Mr. Longstreet, of Trowbridge. The class for heifers, in which there were seven entries, was uniformly good, and the first two prizes went to Mr. Longstreet with two very nice animals. The cow class was a very strong one, there being no fewer than fourteen entries. The first prize was taken by Mr. T.H. Cross, of Norton Bavant, with a typical Jersey cow, but he was run very close by Mr W.F. Morgan (who was awarded the second prize), and it was not till the judges had seen both animals milked that they were able to come to a decision. The third prize winner was also a very good cow, and it was owing to the animal being more or less faulty in udder which led to her being placed third.”
The winners were:
Class 1. Calves under one year:
1st prize, Rowenas Belle (Dr. Alcock).
2nd prize, May 3rd (Mr. A. Longstreet).
Very highly commended, Courageuse 4th (Mr. A. Longstreet).
Highly commended, Slender (Mr. W.F. Morgan).
Class 2. Heifers between one and two years:
1st prize. Pink’s Pet (Mr. A. Longstreet).
2nd prize, May 2nd (Mr. A. Longstreet).
3rd prize, Brown Bessy (Dr. Alcock).
Highly commended, Fantee 2nd (Her Grace the Duchess of Somerset).
Class 3. For cows over two years:
1st prize, Tiny Bell (Mr. T.H. Cross).
2nd prize, Gem (Mr. W.F. Morgan).
3rd prize, Lady Grey (Miss Enderby).
Highly commended, Quick Return 3rd (Mr. H.T. Cookson).
Also highly commended, Courageuse 2nd (Mr. A. Longstreet).
Champion, best animal in the show: Tiny Bell (Mr. Thomas Handy Cross).
The Jersey Show programme is reproduced here: