The show's roots grew from the village of Marden in the Weald of Kent and rightly so. That was the place where it all started and where it had its most enthusiastic supporters who now organise the show. It is in fact those growers and generations coming after them, that have remained loyal through some difficult years.

This is well reflected in the fact that the Marden Fruit Show Society has had only five presidents and six chairmen over the past 70 years. Lord Cornwallis who followed his father in 1936, served as president for 46 years.

He was followed by the Earl of Selborne (1982-1993), then Sir Roger Moate (1993-1998) and now incumbent president Lord Mayhew. The same can be said for the Society's chairmen, starting with a short one-year tenure by JA Rayham. He was followed by Captain James Day, who served for 23 years (1934-1957). He was followed by Colonel HM. Allfrey who stayed for 18 years (1957-1975) and then Peter Tipples (1975-1993), Alan Todd MBE (1993-2001) and now the present chairman Robert Mitchell.

Constantly trying to improve the show, Peter Tipples wrote in the newly introduced Marden Fruit Show Handbook in 1980 that: “My committee are always looking for ways of improving the show in the light of changing circumstances and to this end we introduced a Market Pack Class' which is being continued this year”.

In 1969, the Society was reconstituted from its original title ëThe Marden & District Commercial Fruit Show, after the winding up of the Marden & District Ploughing Match in 1933.

The aim of the show was to promote the better growing, grading and packing of fruit in the area.

Only two badly frosted years in 1935 and 1938 and the war years have prevented the staging of the Show.

The show was honoured by a visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, in 1952.

The show site moved from Walton Hall across the road in Pattenden Lane, Marden. Then in the mid-1990s it had become clear to the organisers and exhibitors that like it or not, the Society had out-grown its site. After much heart searching the decision was made to move to the County Show Ground at Detling near Maidstone, which had the advantage of a good motorway system, wide spaces for future buildings and plenty of car parking.

So the move was made in 1992 and in 1999, came the change of name to The National Fruit Show, organised by the Marden Fruit Show Society.

Changes had come steadily over the years and present secretary Carole Quinlan highlights that fact that ease of entering the competition exhibits from any part of the country were important changes.

So too were the introduction of the soft fruit classes, the popular ëApple Juice Competition' and more recently the introduction of cobnut classes.

Sponsorship at the new site became attractive and currently the Society was three main sponsors in Sainsbury's, Bayer CropScience and Worldwide Fruit. The monies received has been used to enhance the show with improved parking and allowing the National Fruit Show to promote itself to a wider audience at the Restaurant Show at Olympia, London.

New competition classes have come in when needed. Last year we introduced a class for Cameo and this year sees the appearance of Braeburn in its own class for the first time.

The show has become a focus of the industry to introduce new products and to discuss important issues through seminars during the two-day show.

It has continued to widen its appeal with customers and users of our wonderful apples and pears by encouraging catering students and giving informative tours to supermarket produce managers, while still accepting there is still a vibrant wholesale market trade.

To survive we have to change but the essential aim has always been to be a showcase for our industry in a competitive world.