AN 100-year-old woman, who has been involved in a popular agricultural event since she was young, is president of the show this year. 

Pauline Martin, from Tregartha in Cornwall, is the president of the 2024 Liskeard Show. 

The 119th show, which is held at The Showground in Merrymeet, will be on Saturday, July 13. 

Pauline, who celebrated her 100th birthday in February, will join a long list of previous presidents including the first ever Earl of St Germans in 1883; General Sir Reginald Pole-Carew in 1909; Lord Beaverbrook in 1954 and Sir Robert Hicks in 1997. She was also president of the show in 1999. 

Remembering her first visit to the show, Pauline notes that in the 1930s, the Liskeard Show caused 'much excitement' as it was a rare social day out. 

South West Farmer: Pauline Martin, president of the Liskeard Show.Pauline Martin, president of the Liskeard Show. (Image: Liskeard Show)

"Most importantly, as this was a special occasion, you dressed up to go to the show," she said.

"You would have travelled there on foot, horse drawn vehicle or for the lucky few, in a motor car. At this time the show was being held on land near the station in Lodge Hill so many people also came by train.

"The cars being used to get people to the show generated a lot of interest. The men would be looking at who was driving and what type of they had. At this time car ownership was increasing fast.

"As now, it was a time to meet up with friends and socialise although in the 1930’s the show was smaller than it is today and concentrated mainly on animal classes. There were very few trade stands.

"The show was an opportunity for those involved in farming the land to get together and see what was happening outside of their own farm. They could see new technology and what new breeds were being farmed. There was no internet in those days!"

There was no show from 1940 to 1947 due to World War II. 

In 1951, Pauline married George Martin and had two children - Francis and Alison, who are both involved in the show today.

Due to the outbreak of foot and mouth in 1952, the show was cancelled. But Pauline remembers a clay pigeon shoot that was put on, which raised around £200. 

In 1956 the show moved to a new site at Tregay, Addington where it was to remain for over 30 years.

In 1964, Pauline became secretary for the domestic classes and stayed in that role until she handed it over to her daughter-in-law, Jackie Martin, in 1998. 

Pauline added: "There were a lot more trade stands when the show was at Tregay. In particular, right next to the domestic tent, was a large marque selling new electrical goods like washing machines and fridges.

"I was approached by the woodwork teacher from the secondary modern school offering to make some stands to display the children’s painting entries. If you go into the domestic tent at this year’s show they are still being used. Things were made to last in those days!"

The show moved to its current location at Merrymeet in 1988, and although Pauline has not held an official position for a few years, she is still very much involved helping family members deal with their show commitments.