Plans are unveiled for Co Londonderry Show
AS the show season moves up in pace, Londonderry & Limavady Show run by the newly formed Co Londonderry Agricultural Show Society Ltd is one of the next events in the calendar on Saturday 30th June.
Located two miles outside Limavady on the Aghanloo Road, opposite the Small Business Park, it promises to be a great day out for both exhibitors and families alike.
This year organisers are delighted to welcome new platinum sponsor, RES UK & IRELAND who are sponsoring the inaugural Ulster Ram Breeders’ Association NI Premier Blackface Show as well as providing monies in other sections including the Ulster Region SJI Grand Prix.
The usual classes are available in the horse section both for Clydesdales and Shetlands. The Co. Londonderry Clydesdale Horse Breeding Society is once again sponsoring the NISA Clydesdale championship.
“We have to thank the Ulster Bank who sponsors prize money in the Clydesdale classes and also to Martin King French & Ingram, Solicitors who sponsor prize money in the Shetland classes,” a spokesperson said.
“For the second year running, we host Commercial Cattle Classes and are delighted to see large entries forward. Aberdeen Angus and Limousin classes compete against Native and Continental breeds in the continuing beef derby. The top two Beef Heifers qualify for the Ulster Bank/NISA Pedigree Beef Heifer Championship being held at Clogher Valley Show on Wednesday 25th July. Our thanks to Roe Valley Veterinary Clinic, McFarlane Animal Health and Stewart Robinson Ltd, who provide sponsorship towards the Beef Classes
“Dairy breeds are also catered for with the top two Dairy Cows qualifying for the McLarnons Feeds/NISA Dairy Cow Championship being held at Antrim Show on Saturday 28 July. Our thanks to TMC Dairies and Bank of Ireland who provide sponsorship towards the dairy classes.
“The sheep in all shapes and sizes will be there in large numbers and judges are going to have a busy time deciding on champions. As in previous years, the top two ewes selected from all breeds will qualify for the Northern Bank/NISA sheep championship to be held at Castlewellan show on Saturday 16th July. Northern Bank Ltd have provided prize money towards the overall Champion and first and second Reserve Champions,” the spokesman added.
Londonderry & Limavady Show is one of the selected shows for the Rouge Show Flock of the year being sponsored by Norbrook Laboratories. Points will be gained at the show for awards sponsored by the Suffolk Sheep Society (Northern Ireland Branch) in conjunction with F A McCaughan Animal Health Supplies and Smith/Kline. North Antrim and East Londonderry Suffolk club are running a show team of the year which is kindly sponsored by John Thompson & Sons Ltd.
Fort Dodge Animal Health is once again sponsoring the Cydectin young handlers’ competition with the three top handlers qualifying for the overall championship at Clogher Valley Show on Wednesday 25th July. Entries will be taken on the day.
“Last but not least we have our goats. We are delighted to see an increase in goat numbers this year and they will once again compete for the championship and remember kids (pardon the pun) the young handlers will be showing their prowess at handling their ‘kids’.
“We are also grateful to the following sponsors, Limavady Borough Council, Department of Agriculture, Cornfield Care Centre, Drumahoe Veterinary Clinic, UFU, Limavady, D & G Fashions, Cohesion Computer Services, Roe Valley Furnishings, McCloskey Meats, Moore Stephens, Limavady, Norman Hunters, Butchers, W H Nutt & Son, John Thompson & Co V & R Scott, R G Connell, Sols, W B Thompson, Sols, North West Independent Clinic, Alexander Gourley, Limavady, Sam McMullan Motors, J Bradley &Sons, Windyhill Farm Supplies, PFS & Partners, David Brewster, Sols, WB Dickson.
“We are sincerely indebted to our many sponsors who assist either by way of prize fund monies or by taking adverts in the show catalogue. Without their continuing support, it’s very difficult to host a show and we hope that they would be able to come along and meet our chairman, Stanley Warnock and other representatives of our joint show committee. We would also like to thank the many people who assist in the run up to the show itself, most importantly Mr John McMonagle who has given over the use of his land together with those who provide time and equipment.
“Plans are now well advanced for the inaugural running of The County Londonderry Agricultural Show at Limavady. There is a varied schedule for in-hand, ridden hunters and show jumping horses and ponies. Showing classes have the usual range of ridden and led hunters, working hunter, lead rein, first ridden, family pony and cob classes. We are also hosting led and ridden classes for coloured horses/ponies, and a Connemara ridden class. In all, there are three jumping arenas, one working hunter arena and two showing arenas.
“The show continues to host a leg of the Ulster Region SJI 1.30(S) Grand Prix League for which sponsorship has been obtained from RES UK & IRELAND. This League which is now well established continues to be very popular with competitors throughout Ulster.”
A qualifying leg of the very popular ‘Ballymaloe’ Ladies League is also being hosted.
Not just restricted to Ladies but open to all will be the 1.10m class which is part of the new Ulster Region 1.10m League.
The amateur class is part of the Leddy League and also qualifies for Ulster Region Points Cups.
In the Pony Jumping there are classes which form part of the National Pony League, an Under 8 and Under 10 Discovery league and certain classes also count towards the Ulster Region Pony Points Cups.
Also for ponies there is a Jumps Ahead Qualifier for National Balmoral Championships in July.
For all competitors whether SJI registered or not there will be sportsman jumping classes in the afternoon in arena 3
“We look forward to good support in all the classes at this years’ show. And our very grateful thanks to all our sponsors who make it possible to run what is hoped to be an enjoyable and successful day.”
Further details/information on any of the equestrian events can be obtained from Janet Currie 02877763632.
With the support of the Community Relations Council and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland through its National Lottery Programme, Partisan Productions Theatre Company is pleased to present The Field Hospital, a lively and entertaining look at the current realities of rural life.
Many events will be taking place in the main arena throughout the day. Judging of the Clydesdales and Shetland Ponies begins at 10.00am. The parade of prize winners takes place at 2.30pm preceded by the Farm Carts. There will also be ridden Clydesdales and a display of Drays. Niall Bradley will be showing off his talent with his Western Horses Riding Display. Dog agility displays will also be taking place.
City of Derry Young Farmers is hosting a fencing competition during the morning and in the afternoon they will be challenging other clubs and members of the public to a Tug of War. They will even be tugging a jeep kindly provided by Eakin Bros, Campsie. Thanks go to the Young Farmers who assist with the setting up of hurdles, stewarding and organising the car parking in the field.
Throughout the day, the show will be hosting shearing demonstrations and the fun continues on Saturday evening with a charity Speed Shear competition and barbecue taking place at the Coast Road Inn, Myroe. The cost is £10.00 for admission and barbecue with the proceeds going to a local charity. So come along and see the fastest shearers in action. Tickets can be obtained from any member of committee or from the secretary on the day of the show.
The level of trade stands increases year on year. Along with the usual stands which you would expect to see, heavy machinery and tractors, cars, agricultural based products and clothing, there will be an indoor marquee displaying a large array of local crafts from bespoke jewellery, patchwork, handmade candles through to hand made cards and health products.
For the kids there will be bouncy castles, mini quads and inflatables, certainly plenty of entertainments to keep everyone interested.
If you get peckish during the day, there will be a selection of outlets hoping to stave off your hunger pangs be it for a welcome cuppa, burger or whatever takes your fancy.
The home industries marquee brings out the best of local primary school arts and crafts as well as a wide variety of exhibits of flowers, fruit and vegetables, home baking and handicrafts for both adults and children. Entries will be taken by the home industries secretary, Mrs Alison Blair in the marquee on Friday evening between 7.00pm – 9.00pm and entries close at 9.30am on show day with judging to commence at 10.00am. The main interest in this area will be as always the John Kelly cup for the Women’s Institute gaining the most points. Sponsorship in these classes is kindly provided by Brian Hunter, Howard Caskie and Supervalu, Limavady.
Over the years, there have neen numerous judges travelling from all over the province and many more from Scotland. That they seek to come back year on year pays testament to the hard work of the show committee together with the high level of stock which the exhibitors put forward.
There will be car parking, £2.00 within easy reach of all parts of the showground with admission for adults being £5.00, senior citizens £3.00 and children under 16 £2.00 and primary school children free.
Anyone wishing to obtain further information regarding any aspect of the show can contact the secretary Mrs Jen Mark, on Limavady 028777 65123/07739 151693 or jen453@btinternet.com.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Belfast
Thursday 20 June 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: West
