Est. 1854 · East Yorkshire
Hundreds of years. Same site. Still growing.
The Driffield Agricultural Society was established in 1854 on a farm in the East Riding. We've moved 400 metres since then. That's it.
About us
Our Story
The society was born in 1854. Articles of establishment: advancement of agriculture, horticulture, science, and kindred subjects. That's still the mission.
We're a charity - the Driffield Agricultural Society. The trading arm, Driffield Showground Events Limited, generates income that supports the charitable work. Less emphasis on pure commercial yield. More emphasis on community cohesion and agricultural education.
Hundreds of years of continuous operation. Same site. Through world wars, recessions, foot and mouth, weather that would close most outdoor venues. Still here.
Our Work
What we do
one of the UK's biggest one-day agricultural shows. 25,000 visitors year in, year out. The capstone event that brings the agricultural community together every 22nd of July.
The Driffield Show
2,000 children annually learn where their food comes from. Wheat to bread in their hands. Free for schools. Supported by sponsors.
Rural education
two conference pavilions (Ricks for 400, Members for 150) and full site rentals for large-scale public events. Professional event organisers choose us for cycling, motorsport, festivals, caravan rallies.
Venue and site hire
700 to 800 members preserving agricultural heritage. From 13-year-old Young Farmers to landed gentry to farming families to people who just want to do their bit.
Membership
Breaking the stigma
There's a perception about agricultural societies. Exclusive.
That's not what this is.
Yes, we have members from family estates. We also have Young Farmers aged 13 to 25. Poultry farmers knee-deep in broilers. Arable farmers. Families who've been coming for generations. People with no farming background who care about rural communities.
Everyone in between.
Agricultural shows aren't exclusive.
They're community. If you care about where food comes from, you belong here.
Tom Woodall
Chief Executive, Driffield Agricultural Society
Tom joined Driffield Agricultural Society as Chief Executive in October 2024, bringing with him a career built on leadership, organisation and service to community. Before taking up the role, Tom spent 27 years serving in the British Army, followed by a period with the Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association (RFCA) for Yorkshire and The Humber. This experience shaped his approach to planning, teamwork and delivering events of scale and significance.
Now based at Driffield Showground in Kelleythorpe, Tom leads the Society through an exciting chapter, having overseen the 150th anniversary edition of the Driffield Show in 2026. He lives locally in Nafferton with his family, and is committed to ensuring Driffield Agricultural Society continues to serve and represent the farming and rural community for generations to come.
Society Manager
Cheryl Lynch
Cheryl's been in this role for 18 years. If you've exhibited at the Driffield Show, you've worked with Cheryl. If you've received e-shots about the show, that's Cheryl. If the trade stands are plotted correctly on the map, security is coordinated, traffic management works, and 25,000 people get through the gates safely — Cheryl.

She manages operational delivery of the show: exhibitor entries, trade stand requirements, sponsorship coordination, security, traffic management. She works with the subcommittees who deliver different elements. She knows the stakeholders. She knows the families who've been exhibiting for generations.
The Driffield Show IS Cheryl. Eighteen years of institutional knowledge. That's irreplaceable.
Sales and Rentals Coordinator
Ellie [Surname]
Ellie just joined us after running Young Farmers for the East Riding. Before that, she was a Young Farmer herself. Now she's here, leading our venue hire marketing, lead generation, and making sure we're benchmarked correctly against competitors across the East Riding.
This is what the pipeline looks like when it works. Education day to Young Farmers to career in the agricultural sector. Ellie knows the community. She knows the next generation. She knows what brings young people into agriculture and keeps them there.

Her job is to make sure people know what we've got here — two conference pavilions, 78 acres of event infrastructure, one of the UK's biggest one-day agricultural shows — and to turn that into bookings.
Site Coordinator
Tim
Tim's been with us for three years. Farming background. Knows the land. Manages the facilities, coordinates site maintenance, handles the logistics of hosting everything from 10-person meetings to 25,000-person events.

If you're hiring the venue, you'll work with Tim. If you need to know what the site can handle, Tim knows. If you need equipment, access, setup — Tim sorts it.
Senior Groundsman
Frank
Frank's been here since the late 2000s. Knows this site better than anyone. Knows which fields can handle vehicles in winter. Knows where it gets waterlogged. Knows how long it takes to get 78 acres show-ready.

If Frank says the ground won't handle your event, it won't handle your event. Listen to Frank.
Finance Manager
Elaine Thompson
Elaine manages the finances for both the charity and the trading arm. Keeps the books. Makes sure the show income supports the charitable mission. Makes sure we're sustainable.

Charity governance requires financial transparency. Elaine makes sure we're compliant, audited, and running properly.
Our Volunteers
Two full-time staff. Four part-time. That's the permanent team.

So how do we deliver one of the UK's biggest one-day agricultural shows with 25,000 visitors?
Volunteers
Hundreds of them. Stewards who come out of the woodwork. People with full-time jobs and families who take the day off to help. Subcommittees who work in the shadows all year planning different elements of the show.

They do it because they're invested in the society. Because their families have been involved for generations. Because it's their community.
Cometh the hour, cometh the volunteers.
The subcommittees handle livestock competitions, rings, trade stands, catering, entertainment, car parking, health and safety. Each committee has a chair. Each chair briefs their section. When show day comes, it just works.

That doesn't happen at a venue. That happens at an institution with 172 years of trust.
Want to volunteer?
We always need stewards for show day. We always need people willing to join subcommittees. No agricultural expertise required. Just willingness to contribute.
Governance & Charity
Driffield Agricultural Society - registered charity 1068658. Established 1854. Articles: advancement of agriculture, horticulture, science, and kindred subjects.
Driffield Showground Events Limited — trading arm. Generates income through venue hire and events. Profits support the charitable mission.
Board of directors - governs the society. Volunteers from the agricultural community. Subcommittees report to the board. Strategic decisions made by the board.
Annual General Meeting - members vote on society direction. AGM documentation available in the members area.
Financial transparency:
Annual reports published. Accounts audited. Charity Commission oversight. We're accountable to members, to the agricultural community, and to the public.
Charity registration:
Registered Charity Number: 1068658
Link for Charity Commission entry
That doesn't happen at a venue. That happens at an institution with 172 years of trust.
Our Partners
Sponsors
Our sponsors aren't just names on banners. They're embedded into the show and the education programme.
They include land-based businesses, agricultural suppliers, machinery operators, food growers. All connected to the agricultural community.
Why they sponsor: Access to 25,000 show visitors. Connection to the next generation of farmers. Association with 172 years of agricultural heritage. Corporate social responsibility aligned with their industry.
Interested in sponsoring?
You can
Contact us
or email:
office@driffieldshowground.co.uk or call:
Sister shows and agricultural societies
We're part of a network of agricultural societies across Yorkshire and beyond.
Ryedale Show
- sister show in Yorkshire
Lincolnshire Agricultural Society
- neighbouring county
Yorkshire Agricultural Society
- wider county network
We don't compete. We collaborate. Exhibitors show at multiple events. Volunteers support multiple societies. The agricultural community overlaps.
Why we don't do a two-day show: would impact our sister shows, exhibitor logistics, cattle rest requirements. One day is the tradition. One day works.
1853
Year established
172 years
Continuous operation
400 metres
How far we've moved from the original farm
78 acres
Site size
2,000
Children educated annually
25,000
Annual show attendance
2,000
Children educated annually
700-800
Society members
2 full-time + 4 part-time
Permanent staff
Hundreds
Volunteers on show day
400
Ricks Pavilion capacity
~150
Members Pavilion capacity
One day
Show format (always has been, always will be)
Be part of our story
172 years of agricultural heritage. One community. Multiple ways to get involved.
