The White Horse Show

The origins of the White Horse Show date back to 1960, when a committee was formed to begin raising money to build a new village hall for Uffington.

In 1972, at the inspiration of Mr John Little, who founded Tom Brown’s School Museum, the committee organised the Tom Brown Festival to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Hughes, the author of ‘Tom Brown’s Schooldays’.

The festival was such a success that it became an annual event under the name of the White Horse Show. The fund raising achieved its purpose and a new village hall, the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall, was built in 1975.

Through the next 30 years the show committee worked to build an event that has become a source of entertainment, income, education and pride for Uffington and the surrounding villages. From freefall parachute teams to the Household Cavalry; from Spanish equestrians to precocious gymnasts; from pet piglets to motorcycle daredevils; the history of the White Horse Show is one of an event that harnessed the spirit of the community.

The White Horse Show Trust, which receives funds raised by the Show, continues to provide amenities for the villages.

This story is told in the book ‘The White Horse Show – a village charity’, written by Brian Tilling, one of only two surviving members of the original committee of 1960. The book is a first hand account of the founding and continuance of the Show, and is published by Athena Press, ISBN 978 1 84748 007 1. It is available from Amazon.

To find out more visit the White Horse Show website.

 

Copyright © Tom Brown's School Museum, 2009