Antrim Agricultural Society held its Annual General Meeting at Shanes Castle in March; the venue of its annual Randox Antrim Show that will take place on Saturday 22^nd July 2023.

During the AGM’s formal proceedings two Templepatrick locals, Wilbert Rankin and Marlene Watt, were respectively appointed President and Patron. The positions had become vacant after the passing of the former president, Fred Duncan, and patron, Jimmy Crawford, two long standing and dedicated members of the Society to whom tributes were paid.

Willis Mackey, from Antrim, was then appointed Treasurer, filling the post vacated by director Brian Hunter.

Wilbert, is a retired dairy farmer who is passionate about the Holstein cattle breed and the animals associated judging at agricultural shows, and is a former Treasurer of the Society.

Marlene’s late husband, James, was a well known and long time director of the Society. Over the years at the Show she would have competed in competitions like floral art and those of the Women’s Institute.

Willis, who is now retired and keeps himself busy as a part-time sheep farmer, made a career in agriculture mainly with the O’Kane Poultry group, including 25 years with McLarnon Feeds, holding positions up to director level. In the past, he and his son Stewart would have also showed Texel sheep at the Show.

All Directors and other positions which were up for re-election at the meeting were re-elected, and John Herron retired from being a Director of the Society.

The reports by the secretary and treasurer on the success of last years returning show, since the Covid break, left everyone in a positive mood and chairman George Robson added; “It was great to get the show back on the road last year after the Covid hiatus. We must remain optimistic that we can team together and secure pre-pandemic levels of sponsorship so we can ensure the show returns as big as ever this year. We are indebted to all of our sponsors for their support and to our volunteers without whom the show could not go on. I’m delighted that our title Sponsor, Randox and Fane Valley our Principal Livestock sponsor have both already re-committed their support, and we, of course, welcome all other annual supporters and and new sponsors to join them.”

After the formal proceedings, attendees got a chance to hear some poems from the evening’s guest AGM chairperson, Hazel Campbell from Crumlin WI.

The Horticulture and Home Industries section of Randox Antrim Show hosted a 2022 gathering for its volunteers and sponsors in Kells recently.

About the section, David Crawford, a director of Antrim Agricultural Society said, “We are indebted to our supportive returning sponsors and stewards, are equally grateful to welcome on board Apperley’s Butchers, McKervill Neilly Solicitors and SE McKay & Son Ltd, oil and fuel products, as new sponsors this year.”

During the evening, tribute was paid to the late Jimmy Crawford, Patron of Antrim Agricultural Society’s Patron, who passed away recently. Jimmy had been involved with the Show for a lifetime and, in addition to being Patron, most recently was the Director responsible for Horticulture and Home Industries. At the last Show in 2019, Jimmy won the Gardener of the Year Trophy at the age of 89.  Tributes were also paid to committee members, helpers and exhibitors, who had passed away since the last Show.

As examples of what’s new in the Home Industries and Horticulture section:

• a new special £5 prize will be awarded to each ‘Best in Section,
• new craft classes have been introduced (a quilted mug bag, a rag rug and a decorated hard boiled egg),
• the YFC Floral Art section was split into two age groups (12-18 and 19-30 years)
• a new YFC Horticultural section has been added, and
• the show is on the hunt for contenders for a Special Award for the Allotment holder with the most points in the Horticultural Section.

David added; “The theme for the Floral art classes is ‘Let’s get this Show on the Road’ and the home industries and horticulture section often sees

 good interest in the hotly contested Women’s Institute Team competition where the theme this year is ‘Tea in the Field.’

“You can get a copy of the full schedule of classes on the website here. Don’t forget, after general entries close (11.59pm, Sunday 17^th July), entries for the Horticulture section can be taken up until Friday 22 July by calling our section on 075 2609 9966“.

This year’s Children’s Pet Show will take place 11.30am on Saturday 23 July 2022 in the Main Arena of Randox Antrim Show, Shanes Castle.

• 1st Prize £15
• 2nd Prize £10
• 3rd Prize £5.

Admission to Randox Antrim Show (9am-5pm) is £12.50 per Adult, £5 per Young Person (12-17 yrs) and children under 12 years of age go FREE.  Car parking is also FREE.  Event admission is payable at the gate.

Children’s Pet Show Terms & Conditions:

1. Open to children and young people under 16 years of age.
2. Large animals may be refused entry due to health and safety reasons.
3. A £1 entry will be payable on registration at the side of the Main Arena, just ahead of judging (in addition to the cost of admission to Randox Antrim Show.)
4. Entries will be brought into the Main Arena immediately prior to judging.
5. Look for a ‘Pet Show’ sign.
6. Judging to commence 11.30am, Saturday 23 July 2022.
7. The stewards and judge’s decisions are final.
8. The children’s pet show is sponsored and judged by Clare Vet Group.