The Clogher Valley Show has only been cancelled a number of times in the course of its history stretching back to 1904.

This year’s cancellation because of the restrictions placed during the Coronavirus pandemic follows 2001 when restrictions placed following Foot and Mouth Disease forced the show to be cancelled then.

The Show was also not held during the war years.

Times were rather different in 1904 when the Clogher Rural District Agricultural Society held its first annual show at Clogher Park on Tuesday, August 30 1904.

While the organisers have been meeting through most of those years since, it was not until 2018 that the centenary year was actually held and that was an occasion to celebrate with the sunshine adding to the occasion.

Spectators travelled from all over the north of Ireland and beyond to see one of the finest line-ups of livestock ever staged.

For all those involved in staging the show, the cancellation leaves a great void during mid-summer.

For weeks and even months beforehand, preparations would have been ongoing with a quickening pace of activity getting closer to the show date.

There would have been the pre-show sponsors and press evening, an occasion when those businesses and supporters were acknowledged not only for their financial contributions but for their continued support to the event.

Judges who would have traditionally travelled from all over the British Isles during the Show week were entertained on the eve of the Show at a special reception.

Then during Show day, the stewards, committee members and many other volunteers would have been at the showgrounds from just after dawn to make the final arrangements before exhibitors arrived.

One thing the cancellation will do will be to allow all those involved to have a rest during the last week of July and perhaps make them even more eager to be part of a huge community effort on Wednesday, July 28 2021.