BYGONE DAYS: Ballymoney Show has more than 1,000 entries

There were more than 1,000 entries at the North Antrim Agricultural Association’s 50th annual show which was held at Ballymoney during this week in 1955.
Herbie and Stephen Crawford with Champion Limousin at Ballymena Show on Saturday. Pic Steven McAuley/Kevin McAuley Photography MultimediaHerbie and Stephen Crawford with Champion Limousin at Ballymena Show on Saturday. Pic Steven McAuley/Kevin McAuley Photography Multimedia
Herbie and Stephen Crawford with Champion Limousin at Ballymena Show on Saturday. Pic Steven McAuley/Kevin McAuley Photography Multimedia

Visitors to the show included a party of 18 farmers from King’s Lynn, Norfolk, who were touring Northern Ireland at that time.

They were welcomed by Mr J W Pinkerton, chairman of the County Antrim Committee of Agriculture, and Mr A G Algeo, CBE, ex-president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union.

In contrast to other areas the show escaped the heavy rain which affected most of Ulster on the day of the show.

Laura Ervine at Ballymena Show. Pic Kevin McauleyLaura Ervine at Ballymena Show. Pic Kevin Mcauley
Laura Ervine at Ballymena Show. Pic Kevin Mcauley

Among the events were a pet dog show, donkey ‘derby’ and a sheep tossing competition.

JUMPING PROGRAMME

The jumping programme and other afternoon events were opened by Sir William McCleery. DL, MP.

Cup winners and special prizes included; Horses—J Smith. Coleraine; W J Crowe, Coleraine; D Kane, Bushmills; J Mathews, Dunloy.

Jason Watson north Antrim East Londonderry award winner with Basil Bailey from Thompsons. Pic Kevin McAuleyJason Watson north Antrim East Londonderry award winner with Basil Bailey from Thompsons. Pic Kevin McAuley
Jason Watson north Antrim East Londonderry award winner with Basil Bailey from Thompsons. Pic Kevin McAuley

HORSES

Brood mare, 1, H Gray, Finvoy, Ballymoney, Glenbrook Peggy; 2, W J Crowe, Coleraine, Blossom. Colt, gelding or filly, one-year-old, 1, W J Crowe, Butterflies Blossom; 2, T Brown, Ballycastle, Sally; 3, F Rea. Glarryford. Gelding or filly, two-year-old, 1, J H Blair, Ballymoney, Molly; 2, A Taggart, Dervock, Dandy; 3, D Kane, Bushmills. Gelding or yeld mare, three-year-old, 1, J Smith, Coleraine, Sir Charles; 2 F Rea, Glarryford. Gelding, four-year-old and upwards, 1, R A H Wilson, Antrim, Oldstone Janie; 2, J and A Lamont, Coleraine, Pat; 3, J McKeown, Portglenone. Yeld mare, four-year-old and upwards, 1, W J Crowe, Fair Lady; 2, W J McCracken, Rasharkin, Bonnie Jean. Cob, up to 13 hands, 1, Miss D M Neill, Coleraine; 2 H D Small. Ballymoney; 3, F Chestnutt, Ballymoney, Jolly; cob, over 13 hands and up 14 hands. 1, Master F McVeigh, Lisnalinchy, Fermac; 2, Heather Wallace, Aghadowey, Twinkle. General purpose cob, over 14 and up to 15 hands, 1, Henry Park, Ballymena. Saddle horses, riding cob, over 14 and up to 15 hands, 1, Mrs M Morrison, Aghadowey, Fircone; 2, Miss M McVeigh, Lisnalinchy, Rose Marie; gelding or mare, four years old and upwards, to be shown in saddle (up to 15.2 hands), 1, Miss A Montgomery, Dervock, Dusky Maiden; 2 Mrs A Pollock. Stranocum, Irelands Eye; 3, H Park. Ballymena; gelding or mare, four years old and upwards, to be shown in saddle (up to 152 hands), 1, Mrs Morrison. Apollo; 2, Miss M McVeigh. Suzealine; 3 G Chesney, Ballymena, Grey Don; gelding or mare, three years old, to be shown in hand, 1, J Mathews. Dunloy. Max; 2, Mrs J. Hunter, Portstewart, Happy Wanderer; gelding or filly, two-year-old, 1, L M Mackie, Parkgate, Snow Belle; 2, Miss Law, Coleraine; colt, gelding or filly, one-year-old, 1, R A Campbell, Ballymoney; 2, K Boyd, Ballymoney and 3, R A Campbell.

SHEEP PRIZES

First prizewinners were: The Reverend R J McIlmoyle, Dervock (cup for best pedigree Border Leicester); J Armstrong. Broughshane; N McConaghey. Mosside; J N Morrison, Finvoy; J C McClure. Ahoghill (best ram lamb); W A Dunlop, Ballymoney (best Suffolk) and J W L McKee, Hillsborough (best pedigree Suffolk ewe lamb).

Champion Hereford went to James and Bradley Graham making th epresentation Basil Bailey from Thompsons who sponsored the event. Pic Kevin McAuleyChampion Hereford went to James and Bradley Graham making th epresentation Basil Bailey from Thompsons who sponsored the event. Pic Kevin McAuley
Champion Hereford went to James and Bradley Graham making th epresentation Basil Bailey from Thompsons who sponsored the event. Pic Kevin McAuley

PIGS

R Holmes Ltd, Ballymoney; J Campbell, Dervock and J R C Patrick, Dervock.

POULTRY

T Adams, Rathkenny; J P Coleman, Ballymena; F Tweed. Islandmagee; B McComb, Muckamore; A C Trimble, Belfast; J W L McKee. Hillsborough; T Graham. Muckamore; G McKinuey, Dervock: Miss E A Small, Ballymoney; J Barnhill, Strabane; J P Kearney,Co Londonderry; W Smyth, Broughshane; J Brown, Bushmills. Poultry penned and fed by John Thompson and Sons. Ltd., Donegall Quay Mills, Belfast.

Joe Adams representing Stephen and Ryan Reid champion bird with Basil Bailey froom Thompsons. Pic Kevin McAuleyJoe Adams representing Stephen and Ryan Reid champion bird with Basil Bailey froom Thompsons. Pic Kevin McAuley
Joe Adams representing Stephen and Ryan Reid champion bird with Basil Bailey froom Thompsons. Pic Kevin McAuley

CATTLE

Beef Shorthorns, bull, two years old and upwards, 1, J McKinney, Ballymoney, Kilkea Amiss; 2, J Gillan, Armoy Glenforg Lucky Strike. Bull, calved in 1954, 1, A A L McKinlay, Dervock, Ballynagor Clipper Chief; 2 W A McIlwrath, Kilrea Templereegh Crystal Star; 3 Brown Brothers, Ballycastle, Dairy Ambition. Cow, three years old and upwards, in calf or milk, 1, T Brown, Ballycastle, Isabella 8th; 2, A A L McKinlay, Balnagor Orange Blossom 11th; 3, A A L McKinlay, Balnagor Clipper 14th. Heifer, calved in 1953, 1, D Wallace, Dunloy, Anticur Augusta Rose 9th; 2, D Wallace, Anticur Blossom 7th; 3, Brown Brothers, Bella 2nd; heifer, calved in 1954, 1, W Marshall, Ahoghill, Waterloo Dairy Duchess.