A Brief History (1803 - 2009)
The old ecclesiastical parish of Lesmahagow was situated in the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire, being the southern portion of the Old County of Lanark. To the North, the parishes of Avondale, Stonehouse and Dalserf. To the East, the River Clyde, forming a natural division between the Parish of Carluke and the former Burgh of Lanark, beyond. To the South, the parishes of Carmichael and Douglas, and on the West, the County boundary between Ayrshire and Lanarkshire.
With the advent of County Councils during the late 19th Century, local government was administered by Lesmahagow Parish Council later to be styled the Second District Council. With the break up of the old County of Lanark and the establishment of new extended District Councils, Lesmahagow parish became part of Lanark District Council, renamed Clydesdale and latterly South Lanarkshire.
The development of farming in the area
Since the Stone Age man has lived in this area the land in the main being fertile and having a temperate climate. Cultivation of the land progressed due to the endeavours of the monks of the early 6th century church and the 12th century Priory and the many farmers who rented portions of lands from either the crown, the church or those who held title to it. With the 16th century reformation, the old church land was taken by the crown, and given over to those "in favour", some, were in time referred to as the "Landed Gentry". The majority, however, who worked the land were the tenant farmers, a title most would retain for the next four hundred years.
By the beginning of the 19th century, farmers were gradually moving away from an era of meagre existence to one of prospective profitability. To create a better lifestyle, the previous methods of farming the land were giving way to change, with regards to crops and their cultivation. The implementation of drainage of the less fertile land being a major advance of the time. The use of livestock was, reassessed with regard to the fertility and terrain of the individual farm.
Due to such changes, Farmers Clubs or Societies were being formed throughout Scotland. The aim was to bring the farming community together to discuss mutual concerns, promote improvements and to encourage and display the skills of the farming fraternity.
Lesmahagow Farmers Club
During January of 1803, a group of Lesmahagow Farmers came together and formed the Lesmahagow Farmers Club. Membership was by way of a secret "ball" vote. A new member would be nominated and seconded and a vote taken by the assembled members. Each member would vote by placing either a white (acceptance) or black ball (rejection) in a bag. A prospective member could be rejected if only one black ball was found in the bag. Membership was based on a unanimous vote of all members.
Meetings during the early years were held four times a year in the Milton Inn in Lesmahagow. It is also interesting to relate that the "Preses", or Chairman of the Club, was responsible for ensuring that the members vacated the premises, after the meeting. The original constitution clearly stating that all drinks consumed after the meetings were to be paid for by the "Preses". An incentive to any Chairman of any meeting to "hunt" the members home.
As the membership grew the club held annual ploughing matches and by 1807 their first livestock show was held, an event that has been held annually ever since. In later years there was a division of interest when the Lesmahagow Ploughing Society was set up, and it was probably at that time the Farmer's Club changed it's title to Lesmahagow Farmers' Society.
"The Cattle Show"
Over the years the Society's livestock show became known as "The Cattle Show", and was a major annual event in the area. Its popularity drew not only the farming fraternity "frae a' the airts", but also local people and visitors who had no connection with agriculture. Initially the "show" was held at "Kerse", but later transferred to the "Glebe Field" in Lesmahagow village where it remained for many, many years. The site moved again to the grounds of "Birkwood", at the south end of the village. During the show's time in the village it brought much appreciated custom to the local shop keepers who in turn responded by providing sponsorship and prizes to the Society.
The format of the "cattle" show has changed very little over the years. Cattle, Sheep, Clydesdale Horses and ponies being the principal attractions. Clydesdale horses once the focal point of any show, gradually disappeared from the scene with the advent of tractors and mechanical implements. In more recent years, however, the Clydesdale has again made a welcome comeback and these "gentle giants" are proving to be as popular as ever.
With the emancipation of women at the beginning of the 20th century, the Society welcomed the involvement of the wives and daughters, who although not official members in years past were the behind the scenes workers of the catering side of many of the Society's events. The ladies of the Society formed an Industrial section, which enabled them to show off their particular skills in handcrafts, baking and produce. The section has always had a competitive edge, but based on friendly rivalry.
The Young Farmers Club
The younger members of the farming community were also encouraged to come together in the form of a Young Farmers Club. The Club was initiated and encouraged by the Society as it's future would depend on the younger generation in the years ahead.
The Young Farmers Club has a wide and varied remit. Their activities include Speechmaking, Sports competitions, Sheep shearing, and many others. Since their conception, the Young Farmers Club has held an annual Variety Show, which includes Song, Dance and Drama. The many "drama" and "talent spot" teams, drawn from the annual variety show, have over the years, competed successfully in their particular Festivals throughout the West Area of Scotland.
Changes in venue of the Annual Show
In 1973 the site of the Society's Annual Show was again changed to Langside Farm. It was also at this time that the Sheep Dog trials were first introduced and, for the past thirty years, has been well supported and a popular section of the show since its conception. The Lesmahagow Farmers Society's 200th Anniversary Show of 2003 again had a change of venue when it was held for the first time at Brocketsbrae.
In subsequent years the Lesmahagow Farmers Society's annual show has continued to be held at Brocketsbrae and has, despite the restriction and increase in "regulation" and "legislation", continued to serve the best needs of the Agricultural community with tremendous success. In so doing it also promotes the pleasures of rural life, which are much appreciated by those who have no direct association with agriculture, but enjoy a "good day out".
Changes in farming over 200 years
Over the period of the Society's existence agriculture has gone from being a labour intensive industry to one that depends to a great extent on mechanics and now electronics. Despite all the mechanical aids now available to the farmer, one which he cannot do without, is one which has nothing to do with the cultivation of the land or the rearing of livestock upon it; the computer.
The computer in itself is a progression, and without progress Agriculture would have remained stuck in the 18th Century. Innovations have come and gone, the first iron plough, the threshing mill, the tractor, the combine harvester and many more were all hailed as saviours of agriculture and were "of their time", and rightly so. Now, at the beginning of the 21st century a new dimension is influencing agriculture with the introduction of the Satellite Navigation System, a system that well and truly brings agriculture into, for good or ill, the "Space Age".
In the history of the world or even man, for that matter, 200 years, or so, is not a long period of time. It has however, been the witness of much change and innovation, and it says much for Lesmahagow Farmers' Society and its members, that it has kept abreast, if not ahead, of such change and innovation.
May success continue to be its corner-stone for many years to come.
Robert S. McLeish
(Archivist / Co-founder)
Lesmahagow Parish Historical Association
Email contact:
8th April 2009.
More on the history of Lesmahagow Farmers' Society and farming in the area
- Lesmahagow Farmers' Society banner 1832
- Lesmahagow Farmers' Society Annals Note 1864
- Agriculture in the 18th century (J.L.Carvel)
- Agriculture from 1800 (J.L.Carvel)
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