Historic finds in top condition

ONE hundred and twenty-two years ago this month, the Warwickshire Agricultural Society Annual Show was held on Four Oaks Park in the grounds of Four Oaks Hall.

These pictures show the original programme and tickets for the show in 1887, which have been kept in pristine condition.

They were bought by Wylde Green antique dealer Stephen Dowling, of S and J Antiques.

"They are in excellent condition. I suspect they have been kept locked away somewhere for all these years," he said.

"The tickets were obviously never used; they came in books of six but these have just been kept in their envelopes."

There are also 10 medals and badges dating back to 1881 and inscribed with 'Four Oaks Club'.

Four Oaks Hall was built by Henry 3rd Lord Ffolliot, around 1680.

It was sold to the Luttrell family in 1744 and purchased by Sir Edmond Hartopp in 1792 who further enlarged the park by exchanging land near Sutton with Ladywood.

The Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) attended the Royal Agricultural Show, held in the grounds in June 1898, and visited again in 1901.

The house was demolished by 1908.