The Melplash Agricultural Show is one of the south west's premier exhibitions, held at the West Bay showground every summer. The 2019 event returns on Thursday, August 22, but before the action kicks off, we rewind half a century to the Melplash Show of 1969...

Attendance was estimated at 9,850 visitors, slightly more than in 1968 and only 500 less than the all-time record. The show was blighted somewhat by brucellosis and equestrian influenza, which led to two Friesian classes having to be cancelled and entries in the pony and horse sections dropping to 262, down from 340 the previous year. Yet the show must go on, and go on it did: with £2,000 in prize money and many trophies to be won, Melplash still attracted some of the West Country's best animals. More than 2,000 entries were received in total.

For the very first time, crowds and traffic in 1969 were controlled by a mobile police station provided by Dorset and Bournemouth Constabulary. In charge of operations was the area's police chief, Chief Inspector Gordon Foster.

Like the 38 years previous, show commentary was provided by Mr Ralph Wightman, a BBC broadcaster known for his thick West Country accent and experience of the rural way of life. Enjoyed by country folk and townspeople alike, Mr Wightman's commentaries were a familiar feature of the show, and the livestock were reported as parading the ring in time to the 'music' of his eloquent voice.

Throughout its 122-year history, the Melplash Show had always been held on a Thursday, but in 1969 rumours were abound that the event would be moved to a Saturday. Such speculation was firmly denied by Mr Peter Perry, the Society's secretary, who explained why such a move would be both impractical and uneconomic.

Firstly, despite the show being held in holiday season, on a Thursday traffic was not at its peak; this was particularly relevant to those driving to the show in large horse-boxes and cattle transporters. A Saturday date would mean the likelihood of latecomers who had got caught up in lengthy traffic queues. Another problem for exhibitors going to a Saturday show would be in obtaining staff: in many cases Saturday afternoon work was regarded as over-time, and this would prove expensive for employers.

Thursday was also Bridport's early closing day, meaning most of the town were able to go to the show. Further, on Thursday, the show did the least damage to the important local traders' holiday business.

A worthy addition to the 1969 show was the Traders Arcade, said to epitomise the atmosphere of business. The presence of several charity stalls meant this strip of the showground was not for the faint of heart: "there was the constant reminder that every quarter of an hour a man under fifty dies of a heart attack, that cancer can strike any time at both young and old, that blindness is not so uncommon and that most people have a very good chance of becoming mentally deranged at some time in life!"

Yet these solemn reminders were accompanied by a great deal of charitable work and the stands were busy all day, raising funds for all-important causes.

The only major crisis of the event occurred shortly after the Swinging Blue Jeans pop group began their performance. Surrounded by a mass of teenage fans, their performance was going very well until an electrical breakdown reduced their noise to a whisper. The announcer explained that the public address system was being operated from an independent generator but that all other electricity had failed. In fact it was a breakdown affecting all of West Bay Road, and the officials were quick to summon the help of the Southern Electricity Board.

Despite this minor blip, it seems the Melplash Show of 1969 was a roaring success. Beneath the sunny skies, visitors enjoyed exhibits of the West Country's finest pigs, cattle, ponies, and sheep, and purchased the area's most delicious jams, bottled fruit and honey. They then watched as Mr P. G. Cruwys' cow in-calf became the supreme champion, winning the Perpetual Challenge Cup.

By the weekend, few signs were to remain of Thursday's energetic bustle, but locals and tourists alike were assured that the Melplash Show would return the next year, and the year after that; 50 years later, it's still going strong.

The Melplash Show takes place on Thursday, August 22 this year. For tickets and full information of events, exhibits and entertainment, visit melplashshow.co.uk