New home and new name for Saintfield Show

Now known as Lisburn and Saintfield District Show its new home will be at Balmoral Park, Maze where their annual event will take place on June 15. The move has been supported by Lisburn City Council.

Society Chairman Crosby Cleland said, ““It’s no secret that our Show, over recent years, has been bedevilled with bad weather and equally poor ground conditions.

““Over recent months we have sought to identify ways of bringing an entirely new dimension to the event. And I am delighted to confirm that discussions held with the RUAS and Lisburn City Council have borne fruit in a very exciting way.

“Obviously this is a new start. However, we can’t forget the past and, in this context, I would like to record the tremendous contribution made by Jim Prentice, who provided us with lands at Oughely Roads for many years.”

Lisburn City Council Mayor Alderman William Leathem attended the recent launch.

He said: “The Council is delighted to have the opportunity of joining forces with Saintfield Show. The show is an entirely new event for the Lisburn area and promises to bring a tremendous degree of colour and excitement to Balmoral Park.”

Crosby Cleland thanked RUAS President John Bamber his management and Vice Chairman Bill McKelvey for their help.

“We have a number of important firsts organised for 2013, one of which is dressage,” Mr Crosby said. “And again, the availability of the sand arena at Balmoral Park will help make all of this so much more exciting.

“Sections catalogued for this year’s Lisburn and Saintfield District Show include Home Industries, Poultry, Horses, Ponies, Miniature Horses, Donkeys, Agricultural Horses, Carriage Driving, Cattle, Sheep and Goats.”

The Show Committee confirmed fundraising events such as a Night At the Races, in the Chestnut Inn, Ballygowan on Saturday, April 13, and a dance at Rockmount Golf Club on June 1 .

The funding for the Lisburn and Saintfield District Show through the tourism budget of Lisburn City Council Economic Development Unit has been welcomed by Councillor Uel Mackin.

Speaking at Tuesday night’s full meeting of the Lisburn Council Councillor Mackin said: “I am delighted to have heard of the forward looking plans they have for the show.”

He said: “Saintfield Show has been in existence since about 1945. During recent years the show has been held in fields just within the Downshire area of Lisburn City Council but it was never considered as a Lisburn City Council event. News that the management committee was considering a move to the Maze site became known to me some months ago and I am pleased that this is now becoming a reality. It is my belief that this is a win win situation.

“It is important, if not essential, that good underfoot conditions are in place for such an event and a move to the new Balmoral Park at Maze will provide such conditions. The new site also provides a good opportunity for the event to develop and offer a wider variety of events and displays.

“The rebranding of the event to Lisburn & Saintfield Show links the agricultural and equestrian community to the historic nature of Lisburn, namely an agricultural town. I believe this event will provide Lisburn traders with an opportunity gain spin off trade.”