Concert will raise funds for Mid-Antrim ‘150’ races

A major fund-raising event has been organised which will raise funds for the Mid-Antrim Motor Club to go towards their showpiece event of the year, the Mid-Antrim 150 road races.

It will take the form of an Ulster Scots/variety concert and will be held in the Des Allen Suite at Ballymena Showgrounds, starting at 8pm (doors open 7.30pm).

Among the artists taking part are Willie Drennan and his group, The Island Fiddlers, Robert Finnegan and many more, while there will also be several recitations.

There will also be an auction at the interval with Liam Beckett - well-known in both football and motorcycling circles, where he was mechanic for the late Robert Dunlop - conducting proceedings.

The Mid-Antrim club will also have a stall of memorabilia on sale on the night.

The idea is the brainchild of Mayor of Ballymena, Councillor Maurice Mills, a keen motorcycling fan.

It’s not the first time the First Citizen has used his administrative skills to help sport in the borough - last year he organised an Ulster Scots evening which raised more than £7,000 for Ballymena United Football Club.

“I’m very interested in motorbikes and the Mid-Antrim 150 is one of the biggest sporting events in the borough’s calendar,” said the Mayor.

“It brings people to Ballymena from other parts of Northern Ireland, Britain and the continent and anything which is good for Ballymena is good in my book.”

Tickets are now on sale, priced at £6, from the Mayor (telephone 2564 3924 or 07740 758551) or Mid-Antrim Clerk of the Course Jack Agnew (2586 2255).

This year’s Mid-Antrim 150 road races will take place in and around Clough village on Saturday, August 6.