Over 560 exhibitis on show

The weather had taken its toll on the fruit and vegetable entries but the exhibitors produced a magnificent display of flowers, home industries, handcrafts, floral art and photography with the competition for cups and prizes extremely keen.

John Patton, President, welcomed a large turnout of visitors to the opening ceremony. He congratulated everyone on the colorful display and invited Dr Patricia Colohan, to officially open the Show.

Patricia said way delighted to be invited to open the show and was impressed by the range of exhibits.

She congratulated everyone on the high standard of the exhibits and had a special word of encouragement to the young people on their wonderful display of handcrafts.

Patricia then presented the cups and prizes to the successful exhibitors. Marie Hegarty thanked Patricia and presented her with a gift as a token of the Club’s appreciation for opening the show and presenting the prizes.

Marie Hegarty presented a cheque to Cynthia and Adele Elder from the Gillian Adams Angel Foundation.

Adele thanked the Club for supporting their charity and gave a brief talk on their work. She said they are a relatively new charity which was set up last year after Gillian had passed away. In their first year they had raised over £30,000 which is used to provide support to families effected by cancer in the Causeway Coast and Glens area.

John Patton then presented Life Membership Certificates to Valerie McKnight and Auldwyn Calderwood.

Marie Hegarty, Chairperson proposed a vote of thanks to the Select Vestry of St Patrick’s Parish for the use of their halls, Boyd Ramsey for transportation of staging, to members of Ballymoney Women’s Institute for serving teas during the afternoon, to all the sponsors and members who had donated prizes, to the hard working members of committee especially Kenny Bacon, Secretary, Kasala Gilchrist, Show Secretary, Rae Weir, Treasurer, Louise Hamill, Janette Reid and their team for organising refreshments for the judges, all the Judges, Stewards, Exhibitors and all who helped to erect and remove staging.

Marie also thanked Jackie Brogan from Tesco’s who provided a tasting session of local produce available in their store. The end result was another successful show.

Cups and Prizes

The Calderwood Cup and £5 donated by Auldwyn & Margaret Calderwood for the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 1, Novice Exhibitor - Betty Holmes, Garvagh.

The Horticultural Cup and £5 donated by Grace Smyrell for the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 2, Vegetables - Kenny Bacon, Ballymoney.

The R.J. Carson Memorial Cup awarded to the winner of Class 33, a Collection of Vegetables and a special prize of £10 donated by Trevor Wright - Auldwyn Calderwood, Dunloy. 2nd Prize - Kenny Bacon, Ballymoney.

The Dill Cup for the exhibitor gaining the most points in Section 3, Fruit - Trevor Wright, Dunaghy.

The Tresna Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 3, Tomatoes - Trevor Wright, Dunaghy.

A prize of £5 (donated by Dennis Connelly) awarded to the best exhibit of Tomatoes - Trevor Wright, Dunaghy

The John & Eileen Mathews Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Sections 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 - Sam Stewart, Ballymoney.

The Craigdun Rose Bowl awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 4, Roses - Geoffrey Robinson, Cloughmills.

The Mulree Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 4, Hybrid Tea Roses - Geoffrey Robinson, Cloughmills.

Special Prizes donated by John Patton presented for Class 51, Roses Hybrid Tea, Box of six blooms. First Prize £5.00: Geoffrey Robinson, Cloughmills.

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 and Gift Token presented by Crafty Gardens @ Logans awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 4, Other Flowers and Pot Plants - William McCurdy, Ballymoney.

The Leslie Hill Cup awarded to the winner of Class 70, Carnations, 5 blooms - Sam Stewart, Ballymoney.

A gift token presented by Crafty Gardens @ Logans for the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 4, Flowers - Derrick Turbitt, Portstewart.

A gift token presented by Lamonts Garden Centre, Damhead for the most decorative plant pot - Betty Holmes, Garvagh.

The Ballymoney Garden Centre Cup and gift voucher awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 5, Cacti and Succulents - First Prize - Auldwyn Calderwood, Dunloy. Second Prize - Dorothy Brown, Ballymoney. Third Prize - Ann McLaughlin, Belfast.

The MacLaughlin Cup and £5.00 donated by Evelyne Robinson awarded to the exhibitor gaining the most points in Section 6, Fuchsia - William McCurdy, Ballymoney

The Michael Cup and £5 presented by John Hartin 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 Pat Hartin Trophy and £5.00 donated by Pat Hartin awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Novice Floral Art - Kenny Bacon, Ballymoney

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

The Peg Pollock Cup and a Gift Token presented by Grace Smyrell awarded to the Institute member gaining most points in Section 9, Women’s Institute Individual Member Section - Margaret Bamford, Kilrea WI.

Second Prize of £5 donated by Grace Smyrell - Lorna McClure, Armoy WI.

Section 10A, Young Persons Classes (under 9 years)

The William H Anderson Memorial Shield and a prize of £5 donated by Evelyne Robinson awarded to the exhibitor Under 9 gaining most points in Section 10a - Lydia Calderwood, Ahoghill.

Second prize of £3 donated by Sylvia Robb - Oliver Caldwell, Ballymoney.

Third prize of £2 donated by Sylvia Robb - Naomi Chestnutt, Ballymoney.

Special Prize for the best “Garden Themed” fancy dress - Oliver Caldwell, Ballymoney.

Section 10B, Young Persons Classes (9 – 13 years)

The JM Wreath and a prize of £5 donated by Kenny Bacon awarded to the exhibitor 9 years and over gaining most points in Section 10B - Rebekah Calderwood, Ahoghill.

Second prize of £3 donated by Sylvia Robb - Grace Caldwell, Ballymoney.

Third prize of £2 donated by Sylvia Robb - Susan Chestnutt, Ballymoney.

Section 10C, Young Persons Classes (14 – 19 years)

The John Patton Trophy and a prize of £5 donated by John Patton awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 10C - Jonathan Gilchrist, Ballymoney.

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.

Second Prize of £5 donated by Kenny Bacon - Kasala Gilchrist, Ballymoney.

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 Jams and Preserves - Lorna McClure, Ballymoney and Betty Holmes, Garvagh.

The Patterson Trophy awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 12A, Handcrafts and Creative Arts - Evelyene Robinson and Dorothy Brown, Ballymoney.

The Marie Hegarty Trophy awarded to the best exhibit in Section 12B, Photography - Marie Hegarty, Ballymoney

The Jack Pollock Trophy awarded to the exhibitor gaining the second highest number of points in Show - Betty Holmes, Garvagh.

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