One of the oldest traditional winter livestock shows, the 154th Annual Helston Fatstock Show will be held on Saturday, 14th November 2026 at Franchis Farm, Helston by kind permission of Mr Bob Cowell & Mr Don Cowell.
Having started in 1870, the show is one of Helston’s longest running events and an integral part of the town’s history. The show was originally held on a Monday, the town market day, with the livestock, farm crops and produce exhibited in the Town Drill Hall and the Domestic classes exhibited in the Town Guildhall.
In the late 1980s, the livestock, farm crops and produce moved to the Old Cattle Market and continued there until, in 2005 the market buildings were demolished, the site to be developed, so threatening the end of the show. At this time, Mr Bob Cowell stepped in to kindly offer the show a new venue at Franchis Farm to hold the 2006 show. It would be the first time in 136 show years that all sections would be held at one venue. In 2007 the show had space to add a new section, introducing classes for sheep exhibitors, this was well supported, and the show continued to grow in popularity year by year at Franchis Farm.
In 2017 Mr Cowell suggested the show to move into the newly built large shed at Franchis Farm, a fantastic venue for the show and space for the show to expand. With Mr Don Cowell as Show President the 2017 Show was a great success, with all exhibits under one roof creating a really good atmosphere for exhibitors and visitors to the show.
This led to the decision of show day moving to a Saturday for the 2018 Show, allowing an opportunity for more visitors to enjoy this celebration of food and farming.
Since then, the show has grown in size and is a thriving hub of friendly competition, educational and farming spirit with Cattle, Sheep , Farm Crops & Vegetable classes and a Domestic Section to exhibit Cookery, Preserves, Handicrafts, Floral Art, Photograpy & Eggs.
Plus, an area allocated to local produce and craft stalls to promote their quality goods.