The joys of a Show Chaplain…

Chaplain to the Cheshire Agricultural Society and the Royal Cheshire Show

We recently spoke with Revd Anne Lawson, to understand her role as Chaplain to the Cheshire Agricultural Show.

It has been my privilege to be the Chaplain to the Cheshire Agricultural Society for 11 years now.  Mainly this involves organising “The Church at the Royal Cheshire Show” and carrying out chaplaincy work around the Showground for the 2 days of the Show, as well as saying Grace at Presidents’ and Chairman’s lunches.  It’s a hard task, but someone has to eat for the sake of the Kingdom of God.  Additionally, as Chaplain to the Cheshire Agricultural Society, I have an ex-officio place on the Council and attend the Annual Meeting and events such as Stewards’ Supper to say Grace.

The Royal Cheshire Show opens on the evening before the Show with a Service in “The Church at the Show”, a marquee measuring 300 square metres.

A choir is invited to lead the singing and to sing before and during the service; a Salvation Army band accompanies the hymns, and the Service is attended by over 250 people who come from all walks of life and for many reasons to celebrate all that is good about rural life across Cheshire.  A Bishop (Anglican or Roman Catholic), or a Methodist District Chair preach at the Opening Service and bless the showground.  It is the only service I take where people arrive early and fill up from the front, and there is a real buzz of excitement and anticipation surrounding the service.  During the Opening Service, representatives of the different sections present an item to represent their section, which brings in people who wouldn’t usually think to attend a church service.  One of the best conversations I’ve ever had on the showground was with one of the Young Farmers’ Dairy Queens.  She openly admitted she’d never been to the Opening Service before, and didn’t know what to expect, but would willingly come again,

On Show days, there is an 8.00 am Communion Service, attended by around 30 people, including the President and Lady Patroness to the Show, the Show Chairman and Deputy Chairman, who feel it is important to begin each Show day in this way.  At 2.00 pm there is a Service for the Countryside, a Service of the Word, which has taken as many forms as the number of people taking it over the years. This is taken by clergy of different denominations, who are assisted by one of our Show choirs who come each year to sing at this service.

The ‘Church at the Show’ is supported by a team of over 30 volunteer stewards from churches of different denominations across Cheshire, who welcome people to the marquee and serve cups of tea, coffee and orange squash and chat to those who come in.  A number of exhibits are placed around the marquee.  Some of these are regular exhibits, like the popular Fair Trade stall, with others changing each year.  Over the years we have had a group of Christians working in the salt industry carrying out scientific experiments and using these to speak of faith, knitted bible scenes created by a Salvation Army knitting group and a life-sized Noah (and a few less than life-sized animals and his Ark) created out of knitted squares by a rural church.  The cathedral have brought everything from stone masonry and antique books to children’s activities, Mad Hatter and the White Rabbit.  Outside the marquee, the Diocesan Guild of Bell Ringers ring from a mobile bell tower, and offer visitors opportunity to have a go at bell ringing, and a talented team of children’s workers provide activities in an adjacent gazebo.  We try to have something eye-catching outside the marquee too, such as a vintage wedding car or a Shepherds’ Hut built as a prayer space by a Methodist minister.

We are grateful to the Cheshire Agricultural Society, who not only provide the marquee free of charge, but also allow the distribution of around 200 tickets to enable stewards and exhibitors in ‘The Church at the Show’ to attend the Show for nothing.  We believe that this, together with the Chaplain’s ex officio seat on the Show Council is a unique model for Agricultural Showground Chaplaincy.  It is certainly a privilege that is not taken lightly, and which has opened doors to enable other events such as ‘The Cheshire Harvest’ to be developed at other times of the year.

Well done to Anne and the team for such great work and commitment… We, along with others, cheer you on !