Magnificent displays at Flower Show

Elizabeth Leslie, President, presided at the opening ceremony and welcomed a large turnout of visitors.

Elizabeth called on chief guest Patsy MacCarthy-Morrogh to officially open the Show.

Patsy congratulated all the exhibitors for the display in the hall. She said she knew how much work went into preparing for the show as she had helped her mother prepare for daffodil shows. She mentioned the expert work performed by the flower arrangers those who exhibited items of handcrafts and home industries and was especially impressed by the Young Peoples Classes.

Before the presentation of the cups Bertie Johnston refered to the passing of Tom McComb who had exhibited in the Dalhia Classes for a number of years expressed the sympathy of the Association to his wife and family. The chief guest then presented the cups and prizes. Afterward Zara Hegarty presented Patsy with a bouquet of flowers provided by Buds ‘n’ Bows.

Bertie Johnston presented a cheque to Margaret Cassells as the Associations donation to the NI Chest, Heart & Stroke Association. Margaret thanked the Association for their donation.

Bertie Johnston presented Kathleen Finney with Life Membership Certificate as a reward for the all the work she had done for the Association.

Bertie Johnston proposed a vote of thanks to Rev John Cunningham and the Select Vestry of St Patrick’s Parish for the use of their halls, Hubert Taggart of Hugh Taggart and Sons for the use of timber for staging, James Leslie for transportation of staging, to members of Ballymoney Women’s Institute for serving teas during the afternoon, to all our sponsors, to the hard working members of committee especially Kenneth Bacon, Secretary, Auldwyn Calderwood, Show Secretary, Valerie McKnight, Treasurer, Grace Patton and her team for organising refreshments for the judges, to all the Judges, Stewards, Exhibitors and all who helped to erect and remove staging.

The end result was a successful show, although the total number of exhibits was down on last year the standard was every bit as good.

Cups and Prizes

The MacLaughlin Cup and Garden Gift Token worth 5 presented by Grace Smyrell for the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 1, Confined Section - Sam Moore, Brougshane.

The Horticultural Cup and Garden Gift Token worth 5 presented by Grace Smyrell for the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 2, Vegetables - Auldwyn Calderwood, Dunloy.

The R.J. Carson Memorial Cup awarded to the winner of Class 45, a Collection of Vegetables and a special prize of 10 donated by Trevor Wright - Auldwyn Calderwood, Dunloy.

Second Prize 5: Trevor Wright, Dunaghy. Third Prize 2: Kenneth Bacon, Ballymoney.

The Dill Cup for the exhibitor gaining the most points in Section 3, Fruit - Denis Connelly, Balnamore & Auldwyn Calderwood, Dunloy.

The Tresna Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 3, Tomatoes - Auldwyn Calderwood, Dunloy.

A prize of 5 (donated by Denis Connelly) awarded to the best exhibit of Tomatoes - Sam Moore, Brougshane.

The John & Eileen Mathews Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Sections 1,2 & 3 Fruit & Vegetables - Auldwyn Calderwood, Dunloy.

The Orr Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 4, Sweet Pea - Derrick Turbitt, Portstewart.

The Moffett Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 4, Gladioli – John Shaw, Ballymoney.

The Craigdun Rose Bowl awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 4, Roses – Lily Swinson, Ballymoney.

The Mulree Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 4, Hybrid Tea Roses - Lily Swinson, Ballymoney.

The McKeever Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 4, Dahlias - Derrick Turbitt, Portstewart.

The Moore Lodge Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 4, Sweat Pea, Gladioli, Roses and Dahlias - Derrick Turbitt, Portstewart.

The Sleator Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 4, Other Flowers and Pot Plants - Trevor Wright, Dunaghy.

The Leslie Hill Cup awarded to the winner of Class 81, Carnations - Sam Moore, Brougshane.

A gift token presented by Damhead Nurseries for the exhibitor gaining most points in

Section 4, Flowers - Derrick Turbitt, Portstewart.

The Ballymoney Garden Centre Cup and a 3 gift voucher awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 5, Cacti and Succulents – First Prize - Frank Herbison, Cloughmills. Second Prize - Auldwyn Calderwood, Dunloy. Third Prize - Trevor Wright, Dunaghy.

The Michael Cup and a Gift Token worth 5 presented by Blooms Florists awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 7, Floral Art - Elizabeth Connor, Garvagh.

The Losty Tray and 5 donated by Grace Smyrell awarded to the exhibitor gaining second highest number of points in Section 7, Floral Art - Pat Hartin, Ballymoney.

The Holmes Cup which is awarded to the Women’s Institute gaining most points in Section 8, Women’s Institute Section - Kilrea WI

The Peg Pollock Cup and a Gift Token worth 5 presented by Buds n Bows awarded to the Institute member gaining most points in Section 9, Women’s Institute Individual Member Section - Margaret Bamford, KilreaWI.

Second Prize of 5 donated by Grace Smyrell - Marie Shaw, Kilrea WI

The William H Anderson Memorial Shield and a prize of 5 donated by Evelyne Robinson awarded to the exhibitor Under 12 gaining most points in Section 10, Young Persons Classes, Classes 116-123 - Ellen Gilmore, Ballymoney.

The John Patton Trophy, and second prize of 3 donated by Gavin Finney, Ballymoney.

Third prize of 2 donated by Sylvia Robb - Kate Jamison, Stranocum & Evie Flynn, Templepatrick.

The J.M. Wreath Cup and a prize of 10 donated by Ena Lee awarded to the exhibitor over 12 gaining most points in Section 10, Young Persons Classes, Classes 124-135 - Alanna Millar, Ballymoney.

Second prize of 3 donated by Sylvia Robb - Fiona Millar, Ballymoney.

Third prize of 2 donated by Sylvia Robb – Emma Chestnutt, Bushmills.

The Greer Cup and a special prize of 10 donated by Gertrude Aiken awarded to the competitor gaining most points in Section 11, Home Industries - Betty Holmes, Garvagh.

The Borough Trophy and a special prize of 10 donated by Gertrude Aiken awarded to the exhibitor gaining the most points in Section 11, Home Industries, Classes 150-156 - Margaret Calderwood, Dunloy

The Patterson Trophy awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 12, Handcrafts, goes to - Marie Shaw, Kilrea.

The Jack Pollock Trophy awarded to the exhibitor gaining the second highest number of points in Show - Sam Moore, Broughshane.

The North Antrim Horticultural Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Show - Auldwyn Calderwood, Dunloy.