Magnificent displays at Flower Show

Despite the wind and rain of the past few weeks the exhibitors produced a magnificent display of flowers, fruit, vegetables, home industries, handcrafts and floral art and the competition for cups and prizes was extremely keen.

John Patton, President welcomed a large turnout of visitors to the opening ceremony. He congratulated everyone on the colorful display and invited Kerry Thompson, BBC journalist and news reader, to officially open the Show.

Kerry said it was great to be back in Ballymoney and meet so many friends. She said she had just moved into a new home and had picked up some useful tips as she walked round viewing the 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.

Kerry then presented the cups and prizes to the successful exhibitors. Marie Hegarty thanked Kerry and invited Stuart and Christopher Finney to present her with an Acer as a token of the Club’s appreciation for opening the show and presenting the prizes.

John Patton presented a cheque to Meta Page as the Clubs donation to the Ballymoney Branch of the Northern Ireland Kidney Research. Meta thanked the Club for supporting the Northern Ireland Kidney Research, both at the show and an evening outing to her garden in July. She gave a brief talk on their work of the Kidney Research Group in Northern Ireland.

Marie Hegarty, Chairperson proposed a vote of thanks to the Select Vestry of St Patrick’s Parish for the use of their halls, James Leslie 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, Auldwyn Calderwood, Show Secretary, Valerie McKnight, Treasurer, Dorothy Brown 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 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 Section – Sam Stewart, Ballymoney and Raymond Herbison, Cloughmills.

The MacLaughlin Cup and £5 donated by Grace Smyrell for the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 1, Confined Section - Auldwyn Calderwood, Dunloy.

The Horticultural Cup and £5 donated by Grace Smyrell for the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 2, Vegetables - Sam Moore, Brougshane and 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 - Sam Moore, Brougshane.

Second Prize £5: Auldwyn Calderwood, Dunloy.

Third Prize £2: Kenny Bacon, Ballymoney

The Dill Cup for the exhibitor gaining the most points in Section 3, Fruit - Dennis Connelly, Balnamore.

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 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 - Dennis Connelly, Balnamore.

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.