It was promoted as the 125th Andreas Produce Show on 21st September 2024. It was held in the Andreas Parish Hall, a former ex- RAF wartime building that has served the people of Andreas well over the years.
The show was originally called the Andreas Root Show and the local newspapers reported on it from 1897. It was for a long time held in October and was unofficially referred to as the Harvest Festival Root Show. Similar show were held in other parishes with the small proceeds from the show being handed over to the vicar for distribution to the poor.
The show had classes for Farm, Home and Garden Produce. This, despite the title Root Show, included bread, jams, butter, eggs, apples and flowers as well as suggane making and lanket making (rope made by twisting straw).
The show was held throughout the Great War of 1914 - 1918 but was not held in 1939 - 1944 inclusive. It recommenced in October 1945 with a good number of entries and a lot of public support. The earliest shows were held in a marquee erected in the village and gradually in more than one tent. These had to be hired along with lanterns to light them which reduced the proceeds from the show. When the new Board School was built the show was held each year in the old parochial school which was also the church hall. This reduced the overheads and was far better for the autumnal weather which had spoilt other shows in the past.
Of more recent times the name has changed to the Andreas Produce Show which is perhaps more appropriate to the event.
The picture shows Dave Martin, Captain of the Parish of Andreas, on the left and Jackie Faragher, the Show President, on the right just after the Lieutenant Governor and Lady Lorimer had been presented with examples of Andreas produce.
