Retro

Pictured at the Harp National in Downpatrick in February 1992 is the legendary Desert Orchid who put in a guest appearance the races. The News Letter reported that he “strutted, proud and tall, around the race track to loud and eager applause, looking every bit the champion”. Fans had turned out to get a close look at the grey who had retired from racing two years previously. Picture: News Letter archives

Bygone Days: Pig producers are called on to unite to save the sector in province... Darryl Armitage

Michael Gallagher, international champion pictured at the international sheep dog presentation of prizes at McQuillan's farm, Masserene, Antrim. Picture: Steven McAuley/Kevin McAuley Photography Multimedia

31 photographs from international sheepdog trials at Masserene (2012) Darryl Armitage

John Campbell pictured at the Alan Milne open night at Newry. Picture: Steven McAuley/Kevin McAuley Photography Multimedia

14 photographs from an open night at Alan Milne, Newry, in March 2012 Darryl Armitage

Thumbs up from Katrina Anderson from Bangor, in February 1992, who ploughed up more than furrows at the Donaghadee Young Farmers’ Club match when she raised funds for the Choice Residential Trust in the Co Down seaside town. Picture: News Letter archives

Bygone Days: Ulster farmers adopt ‘wait and see’ policy as UK farm incomes cut (... By The Newsroom

They had been ploughing straight furrows at Groomsport, Co Down, at the end of January 1992. Competitors from all over the province showed of their expertise at the Newtownards Young Farmers’ Club ploughing match. Pictured is Leslie Bell from Moneyrea and Sammy Jackson at work in the horse ploughing section at Groomsport. Picture: Farming Life/News Letter archives

Bygone Days: Warning that Northern Ireland milk industry is at a ‘crossroads’ (1... Darryl Armitage

They had been ploughing straight furrows at Groomsport, Co Down, at the end of January 1992. Competitors from all over the province showed of their expertise at the Newtownards Young Farmers’ Club ploughing match. Desmond Wright, Coleraine, twice winner of the world championship, with fellow judges Stanley Erwin, Killead, and William King, Coleraine. Picture: Farming Life/News Letter archives

Bygone Days: The future of NI pig industry at risk of ‘collapse’ warns the UFU (... Darryl Armitage

Top priced bull at the NI Simmental Club's Dungannon show and sale was Scribby Farms Barney which realised 4,200gns for Messrs Nelson, Rosslea, Co Fermanagh. Picture: Julie Hazelton

17 photographs from the 2012 NI Simmental Club spring show and sale at Dungannon Darryl Armitage

Kenny Stewart and Kevin Gribben pictured at the John McElderry's open night in Ballymoney. Picture: Steven McAuley/Kevin McAuley Photography Multimedia

16 photographs from an open night held at John McElderry’s in 2012 Darryl Armitage

The Reverend Ian Paisley, chairman of the NI Assembly agriculture committee, pictured in January 1983 with egg producers at the modern unit of Mr Raymond Lyons, third right, near Hillsborough. Also included are Mr William Fullerton, UFU president, and Mr D Robinson, UFU vice president. Picture: Farming Life/News Letter archives

Bygone Days: One of the best known Charolais sires all set to be revived at auct... Darryl Armitage

Starting young at the Mullahead Ploughing match. Picture Steven McAuley/Kevin McAuley Photography Multimedia

40 photographs from the 2010 Mullahead Ploughing Match Darryl Armitage

Taking his vintage tractor through the annual Steam Rally held in Ballymena Showgrounds

On the steam circuit around Northern Ireland (2007) Darryl Armitage

Some of the horses which were on display at the Ulster horse breeding show which was held at Balmoral a century ago this week in 1923. Picture: News Letter/Farming Life archives

‘Highly creditable’ display of Ulster’s premium horses held at Balmoral (1923) Darryl Armitage

The presenters of 'Breakfast Time', first national breakfast television programme, UK, August 19, 1983; including Frank Bough (far left) (photo: Getty Images)

A look back at 40 years of early morning sleepy Breakfast television Steve Cain

Mr Norman McAdoo from Moneymore, Co Londonderry, with the Limousin reserve champion at the Ballymena Show in June 1982. Picture: Farming Life/News Letter archives

More photographs from Farming Life’s historic picture archive (1982) Darryl Armitage

Mr Charles Suffern of Crumlin pictured at the Ballymena Show in June 1982 with the supreme champion Ayrshire cow, which headed all the dairy breeds at the show. Mrs Orr presented the Ballymena Livestock Mart sash to Mr Suffern. Picture: Farming Life/News Letter archives

More photographs from Farming Life's historic picture archive (1982) Darryl Armitage

Carrying in the straw at Balmoral Show in May 1991 was no problem for Gillian Gibson from Ballygowan, the secretary of the new junior Blonde d'Aquitaine Club. Picture: Eddie Harvey/News Letter/Farming Life archives

Take a walk down memory lane at the 1991 Balmoral Show Darryl Armitage

Pictured in January 1983 is Trevor Simpson from Ballyclare with his supreme champion Hereford bull at the breed show and sale at Omagh. On the right is Mr Mervyn Kinloch of the Livestock Marketing Commission, who supervised the weighing and measuring of the bulls and also presented the championship rosettes. Picture: Farming Life/News Letter archives

Turbine alternative is suggested after poor Ulster flax yields recorded (1943) Darryl Armitage

Conor McHenry of Brankinston Road, Aghalee, pictured with his pony, Gringo, in August 1982. Picture: Farming Life/News Letter archives

Shedding more light on Farming Life's historic photo archive (1982) Darryl Armitage

Mr Stanley Anderson, Tullyconnell, Cookstown, Co Tyrone, takes delivery of a new breed of pigs for Northern Ireland – purebred Durocs for his herd – in April 1982. Picture: Farming Life/News Letter archives

Shedding a new light on Farming Life's historic photo archive (1982) Darryl Armitage

My word, our language constantly changes!

Some of our staple sayings have seen better days. Chris Page

Pictured in January 1983 is Mr Vernon Smyth, left, deputy secretary of the UFU, talking to Mr Frank Foy, director of Benburb Meats. Mrs Lesley Murphy and Mr Bob Atkinson, administrative manager, look on. Picture: Farming Life/News Letter archives

Bygone Days: Eire Agri Ministry pays £147 for top Galloway bull at Ballymena sal... Darryl Armitage

Pictured in January 1983 is John Watt of Watt and McBriar Ltd, Saintfield, presenting the championship cup to William Fay of Portaferry at the Allams show and sale of quality calves which was held in Newtownards. In the centre is auctioneer, Robert McKeown. Picture: Farming Life/News Letter archives

Bygone Days: Supply of electricity to farms of 'national importance', says minis... Darryl Armitage

A picture of the Russian delegation who visited Northern Ireland in January 1994

Bygone Days: Russian delegation on a fact finding visit to Co Tyrone (1994) Darryl Armitage

The gallows were once a typical sight (photo: Adobe)

The gruesome business of public execution put under the microscope Andrew Southam

Ulster dogs had a field day in January 1992 at the United Kingdom Spaniel Championships at Clandeboye outside Bangor. Pictured left is Mr Noel Black of Ballymoney with the winner Tanya Bass Special. Centre is Tim Crothers of Lisburn with his dogs, Birdrowe Miss O’Lene and Cresset Melody. Right is Aidan Patterson of Lurgan who handled the second placed dog, Cresset Cristo. Badgercourt Moss owned by Mr P Colclough was third and Glendivitt Serc owned by Mr Barry Mogg and bred by Mr Victor McDevittt of Saintfield was fourth. Picture: News Letter archives

Bygone Days: MEP joins call for EU to lift import restrictions on Simmental cows... Darryl Armitage

Pictured in November 1982 is Brian McAllister with his son from Kells, with Mr and Mrs James Simpson from Templepatrick at a Charolais breed show and sale which was held at Portadown. Picture: Farming Life/News Letter archives

Bygone Days: Abattoir strike in Belfast and other centres across province (1943) Darryl Armitage

Tori McGowan and Laura Phillips pictured at the Moneyrea YFC pyjama party held at the Temple Golf Club in March 2009. Pic Kevin McAuley Photography/Multimedia.

10 pictures to remind you of a young farmers' pyjama party in 2009 Joanne Knox

The front page of Farming Life which was published on Saturday, December 31, 1977, with a picture of Margaret Graham, of Straidnahanna, Co Antrim, and her horses

Ploughgirl is the star at a big all horse match held by Milebush YFC (1977) Darryl Armitage

Tyrella Primary School pupil Charlotte McAlinden pictured in November 1982 at the reins with her mum Kim waiting for Barney the horse to take them home. Mrs McAlinden picked up Charlotte from school every day in a pony and trip and helping to revive a long gone Ulster tradition. The six mile round trip from home to school took the McAlindens forty minutes – and Mrs McAlinden reckoned it was a much safe mode of transport than the school bus. She remarked: “Why do I do it? Because I have a pony – and I do not have a car. It’s the only way to travel – and you do not have to pay insurance, or tax or for petrol. It’s just nice to take your time, people rush about too much.” Picture: News Letter archives

Bygone Days: Quality exhibits break records at Fermanagh carcase show (1985) Darryl Armitage

Taking in the view from the top of the Tower House tower in Quay Street, Bangor, in October 1982, is the Mayor of Bangor, Councillor J McConnell Auld, who officially re-opened the building after it had been renovated. It was to be used (and still is) as a tourist information centre. Picture: News Letter archives

Lord Glentoran praises town’s gas undertaking (1954) Darryl Armitage

King George VI who made a speech to the nation each Christmas from 1939 exxcept for one year following an operation (photo: Getty Images)

Monarch’s Christmas day speech carried on by our new King Charles III Steve Cain

The judges, Lawrence McMillan, Vivian Samuels and John Nicholl, eyeing out the furrows in November 1982 at the International Ploughing Match at Ardglass, Co Down. Picture: Farming Life/News Letter archives

Bygones Days: Fury at farm minister’s ‘back sliding’ remarks about farmers (1951... Darryl Armitage