Bushmills Blues bash £3,229 bonanza

“As NI Blue Club Herd of the Year 2009 we hosted a fun night out for farming families with an opportunity to see our stock, judge stock, enjoy sheep dog running, motorbikes and meet up with friends old and new,” Zara explained.

“However, the charity auction expertly handled by Willie Wilson of Moira Arena grew into a tremendous success. Not only did those attending bid briskly, but many also donated articles to sell and the support from local farm suppliers was equally generous.

“Maria Curie provides nursing care in their own home to those with life limiting illnesses so funds raised are going to a very good cause!

Visiting Blue breeder Wilf Lomas from Cheshire commenting that he had never seen a charity auction on a farm so strongly supported in his part of the world.

“The British Blue stock on display was of course excellent and having a dairy herd myself viewing the new milking unit and Montbeliarde bred heifers were very interesting. To see nearly 300 folk attend, some from the Republic, at a busy time of the year was however most impressive. A tribute to the whole Chestnutt family, who are famed for their passionate interest in pedigree breeding, not least of British Blue Cattle and Texel sheep.”

The next British Blue Cattle Society event in the province is the autumn show and sale at Moira Arena on Sat, October 23.