RUAS hails Winter Fair 1998 as the ‘best ever yet’

Had this year’s Winter Fair gone ahead as planned and as it has always done, the fair would have been marking its 34th year having first been held in December 1986 at the King’s Hall in Belfast.

Over the next few pages Farming Life will look back over past Winter Fairs, look at the reports and results from the fairs, and also feature photographs from bygone days.

1988 WINTER FAIR: ‘BEST EVER FAIR YET’

“This week’s Winter Fair at Balmoral was billed as the best yet . . . and so it proved,” declared Farming Life in December 1988 as it carried coverage of the fair which was held at the King’s Hall.

Some of the crowd who attended the Winter Fair at the King’s Hall in December 1988. Picture: Farming Life archivesSome of the crowd who attended the Winter Fair at the King’s Hall in December 1988. Picture: Farming Life archives
Some of the crowd who attended the Winter Fair at the King’s Hall in December 1988. Picture: Farming Life archives

It was the third fair to be held and it had attracted an excellent turnout of dairy animals and was thronged with visitors.

“We estimated the attendance at last year’s [1987] event at 3,000 and we reckon this year that figured was beaten by around 10 per cent,” Royal Agricultural Society agricultural manager Lyle Rea told Farming Life.

Mr Lyle added: “This was the best fair yet. And there is still scope for further expansion.”

The blue riband award at the event, the inter-breed championship went to a father and son team from Co Down.

David Irwin, chairman of the Northern Ireland Texel Sheep Breeders' Club, and Nigel Hamill, vice chairman, present a cheque for £250 to Mrs Pat Millar from Save the Children at the Winter Fair at the King's Hall in December 1988. Picture: Trevor Dickson/Farming Life/News Letter archivesDavid Irwin, chairman of the Northern Ireland Texel Sheep Breeders' Club, and Nigel Hamill, vice chairman, present a cheque for £250 to Mrs Pat Millar from Save the Children at the Winter Fair at the King's Hall in December 1988. Picture: Trevor Dickson/Farming Life/News Letter archives
David Irwin, chairman of the Northern Ireland Texel Sheep Breeders' Club, and Nigel Hamill, vice chairman, present a cheque for £250 to Mrs Pat Millar from Save the Children at the Winter Fair at the King's Hall in December 1988. Picture: Trevor Dickson/Farming Life/News Letter archives

The winning animal was Lowcraig June, an October 1983 cow exhibited by William and Ian Montgomery from Newtownards.

The animal had earlier won the British Holstein championship.

The runner-up was the Holstein Friesian champion, Parboldhall Pres Laura, which was brought out by David McClurg from Crossgar, Co Down.

The reserve champion Holstein Friesian was Moneyhaw Norah 24, which was shown by Norman Nevin from Coleraine, Co Londonderry.

Caroline McEwan from Randalstown prepares her uncle's Ayrshire for the judging ring at the Winter Fair at the King's Hall in December 1988. Picture: Trevor Dickson/Farming Life/News Letter archivesCaroline McEwan from Randalstown prepares her uncle's Ayrshire for the judging ring at the Winter Fair at the King's Hall in December 1988. Picture: Trevor Dickson/Farming Life/News Letter archives
Caroline McEwan from Randalstown prepares her uncle's Ayrshire for the judging ring at the Winter Fair at the King's Hall in December 1988. Picture: Trevor Dickson/Farming Life/News Letter archives

Husband and wife team, Brian and Margaret King from Ballymena, Co Antrim, brought out the champion Jersey cow.

The Fleming family from Katesbridge, Co Down, exhibited the reserve champion.

Recognising the importance of alternative enterprises, the Northern Ireland Texel Sheep Breeders’ Club took at stand at the event. And, not only did the stand attract a steady stream of visitors, it also picked up one of the show awards.

The award for the best beef breed exhibit went to the Northern Ireland Hereford Breeders’ Association.

The association ran a competition which attracted 500 entries.

The results were: 1, John Perry, Craigantlet; 2, Brian Hanna, Ballymoney; 3, W H Adams, Glarryford; 4, G Stewart, Portglenone; 5, Alex Watson, Keady; 6, Robin McCauley, Rathfriland; 7, R J Millar, Broughshane; 8, Alan Given, Ardara, Co Donegal.

The first three winners each received a roast of beef supplied by Moy Meats; the others received feed blocks, supplied by Devenish.

RESULTS FROM THE 1988 WINTER FAIR

Class results were as follows: Dairy Shorthorn, heifer, in calf or in milk, 1, 2, 3 and 4, Kenneth S Workman, Garvagh (Whitefalls Barbara Rose, Twells Heather Queen 174th, Whitefalls Broadhooks Pride and Wild Eyes).

Cow, in calf or in milk, 1, Kenneth S Workman (Whitefalls Waterloo Rose 4th); 2, Kenneth E Boyes, Moira (Caulfield Blossom 3rd).

Group of three animals, property of one exhibitor, 1, Kenneth S Workman; 2, Kenneth E Boyes; 3, Kenneth S Workman.

Jersey, heifer, in calf or in milk, 1, Mr and Mrs Brian King, Ballymena (Cecilia’s Gabriel); 2, Mr and Mrs Brian King (Vanguard’s Bouquet); 3, Mr and Mrs Brian King (Welcome Love Girl; 4, The Fleming family, Katesbridge (Potterswall Twinkling Karabelle).

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