At our Annual General Meeting the Office Bearers positions for the Society were re-elected for 2025/26:

🎖️ 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧 ~ Mrs Marlene Watt
🎖️ 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 ~ Mr Wilbert Rankin
🎖️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧 ~ Mr William Graham
🎖️ 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫 ~ Mrs Rosemary McAllister

We also welcomed our new 2025/26 YFCU representatives from:

🚜 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 ~ Julieanne Moore
🚜 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧 ~ Oisin Mcateer
🚜 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 ~ Laura Murray

Our Guest Speaker at the close of the evening was 𝐌𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐜𝐈𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐞𝐧 from the renowned BBC Show 𝐁&𝐁 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚, followed by supper which was kindly provided by our own Mrs Rosemary McAllister and her granddaughter Charlotte McAllister.
Congratulations to all who have taken up their positions, and thank you to our guest speaker and all who came along.

Randox Antrim Show’s Horticulture and Home Industries section hosted a 2023 reception for its section’s volunteers and sponsors in Kells the other month.

David Crawford, a director of Antrim Agricultural Society responsible for Horticulture and Home Industries said, “We are indebted to our supportive returning and new sponsors and stewards.”

During the evening, a new cup was presented by the Crawford family in memory of the late Jimmy Crawford, Patron of Antrim Agricultural Society’s Patron. The James Crawford Memorial Cup will be presented to the exhibitor of the best exhibit in the flower and pot plant section. At 2019’s Show, Jimmy won the Gardener of the Year Trophy at the age of 89.

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

• A new Needlework section for residents of Nursing & Residential Homes
• Other changes in the Needlework section means there are now 3 different classes for Crocheted Blankets.
• In the baking section there are some new classes for Ginger Cake, Flapjacks, Raspberry & White Choc scones and, back due to demand, the fat free sponge.
• An iPad pillow/stand class has been added to the YFC Craft section.

David added; “The theme for the Floral art classes is ‘Celebration’ to mark the 45^th Anniversary of the Antrim Flower arranging club; and this section of the Show always sees good interest in the keenly contested Women’s Institute Team competition where the theme this year is ‘Baby Shower.’

“Even though the show’s general entries have now closed, the one exception is that the Horticulture section’s entries can be taken up until this Friday (21 July) by calling our section on 075 2609 9966“.

You can get a copy of the full schedule of classes here on the website.

This year’s section sponsors include: SE McKay & Son Ltd (Oil & Fuel Products), JR Frew Accountants, McKervill Neilly Solicitors, Coleman’s Garden Centre, Apperley’s Butchers,  Ballygarvey Eggs, Ballymena, B Craigs, Ballyclare, Wilsons Fireplaces, Ballymena, WG Crawford Joinery, Antrim, Country Cake Designs, Antrim, and Stephen Caldwell, Photography.

This year’s Children’s Pet Show will take place 11.30am on Saturday 22 July 2023 in the Main Arena of Randox Antrim Show, Shanes Castle.

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 nominal entry will be payable on registration at the side of the 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 22 July 2023.
7. The stewards and judge’s decisions are final.