The Bridgwater Agricultural Society was founded in 1851, with an annual Bridgwater Ploughing Match being the main event for many years. The first Bridgwater Agricultural Show was in 1949 at Huntworth Gate, with many livestock classes and all the competitions you would expect in an agricultural show, including the annual ploughing match. In 1955 the Show Society purchased the thirty-acre showground, and the annual show continued with 1970 being the last show. However, the Ploughing Match continued on an annual basis.
The Show committee continued to meet and in 1978, decided to sell the showground for the benefit of supporting and promoting the rural community, agriculture and horticulture. This group of about sixteen forward thinking farmers created Bridgwater Agriculture Society Ltd and registered the company with the Charities Commission. The initial proceeds of the company came from sale of part of the showground for commercial purposes.
The aims and objectives of the Society were written at this time and have been amended at various times with the latest being in 2023 and can be seen on the website. Being a registered charity the income from the investments is to be 'spent' in accordance with the Society's aims and objectives, and from 1978 to the present day in 2026 over £1.4m has been awarded.
Many awards have been made, supporting and promoting the agricultural and horticultural community in and around Bridgwater and Somerset. These range from travel grants and scholarships, Somerset Federation of Young Farmers, Bridgwater Ploughing Match, The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group Southwest, Agricultural and Horticultural research. Education and training are also supported with regular awards made to Brymore Achtmlademy and Cannington College. School children are often assisted with farm visits, through Farmlink and awards to individual farms.
Farmers' welfare is assisted, with awards made regularly to RABI, FCN, Farmerardos and Farmers Health Room.
Notable milestones include in the Society assisting Somerset Young Farmers in their purchase of their headquarters in Westonzoyland in 1992.
Total of all awards passed £1m in 2017, and the website was also created in this year.
The Jeremy Walker Agricultural Management Scholarship was created in 2024, in memory of Jeremy Walker, farmer and director of the Society.