Antrim Agricultural Society and Fane Valley have announced they’ve agreed a substantial sponsorship deal whereby Fane Valley will be the show’s first Principal sponsor for Livestock (Dairy, Beef and Sheep) at Randox Antrim Show in 2022.

Randox Antrim Show will take place this year on Saturday 23^rd July at Shanes Castle, Antrim.

The Show is one of the longest running and most highly regarded of Northern Ireland’s regional agricultural shows.  It offers a showcase of country life, providing an eclectic mix that spans family entertainment, cream of the crop livestock competitions, equine events, local food, home industries, horticulture, rural crafts, games and stalls.

Fane Valley has established itself as a major supplier of farm, feed, agronomy and animal health supplies in Northern Ireland and for over 100 years has been committed to supporting local agriculture.

Welcoming this show of support from Fane Valley, George Robson, Chairman of Antrim Agricultural Society, said, “This partnership with Fane Valley offers us a fantastic and refreshing opportunity to further enhance the range and quality of animals opting to compete to be the cream of their crop at Antrim. As well as livestock being of interest to the farming community spectating at ringside, the competitions and display of cows and sheep are of great interest to the visiting general public as they enjoy our concentrated ‘day in the countryside’, within the beautiful setting of the Shanes Castle Estate.

“Antrim Agricultural Society is a not-for-profit organisation. It’s thanks only to the support of sponsors like Fane Valley and the hard work and dedication of a team of volunteers that the Show can continue to go from strength to strength.”

Fane Valley’s Chief Executive, Trevor Lockhart remarked, “We are delighted to commence ‘Principal Livestock Sponsorship’ with such a well-established and excellently organised family agricultural show. This partnership means we can extend our support into the local agricultural community of Co. Antrim and showcase our range of products, services, and technical advice to maximise efficiency on farm during these challenging times in our sector.

Fane Valley has admired the growth and development of Randox Antrim Show for some time now and following the Group’s recent strategic business decisions to expand our presence in the surrounding areas, we feel the time to be right to partner with such a reputable and ambitious show.”

To stay up to date on Randox Antrim Show’s news, follow the show’s Facebook page.

 

Antrim Agricultural Society was pleased that this year it could finally return to holding its Annual General Meeting face-to-face at Shanes Castle; the venue of its annual Randox Antrim Show that will take place on Saturday 23^rd July 2022.

During the AGM’s formal proceedings George Robson from Doagh was appointed to Chairman of the Society. The position had remained vacant since the passing of former Chairman Robert Wallace in November 2020, a long standing and dedicated member of the Society to whom tributes were paid.

William Graham, from Gracehill, was then appointed the new Vice Chair.

George first helped out with the agricultural society when he was a member of the Young Farmer Clubs, and in his role as Sheep Director, has helped grow the sheep section in recent years, giving Antrim an enviable turn out of sheep each year.

William, a beef farmer, has been involved with the Society for decades. He recalls he was a child when he first helped his father and uncle with the set up for show day, so there remains a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw upon at the helm of the Society.

All Directors and other positions which were up for re-election at the meeting were re-elected. A couple of new Directors, who’d been elected through a virtual AGM last year, namely Linda Davis, Joan Gilliland and James Watt, were also welcomed on board.

The reports by the secretary and treasurer summarised the situation following a two year hiatus in holding the Show and left everyone more determined than ever to put on a great show for 2022.

Sponsors

Chairman George Robson added; “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. I’m delighted that our title Sponsor, Randox where the first to re-commit their support. We welcome other supporters -old and new- to join them. We are indebted to all of our sponsors for their support and to our volunteers without whom the show could not go on.”

In the equine section, members were also delighted to hear that Sweeney Equestrian Limited has also committed to coming on board as first time sponsors of the showjumping grand prix.

Guest Speaker

After the formal proceedings, attendees got a chance to hear from the evening’s guest speaker; Lynne Montgomery, Vice President of the Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster.  Lynne gave a very informative talk which confirmed for attendees that the rural youth organisation was in a healthy and positive position despite the negative effects of the pandemic. Antrim’s local clubs of the YFCU also help to run the annual Randox Antrim Show and the organisation’s County Antrim Competitions Day is held at the Show.

On 3rd March 2020, Antrim Agricultural Society held its AGM at Shanes Castle; the grounds of the Randox Antrim Show that it annually organises for the fourth Saturday of July.

AGM
During the AGM’s formal proceedings Robert Wallace from Templepatrick was appointed to Chairman of the Society. The position had become vacant as Fred Duncan from Crumlin has taken the post of President, vacated by James Clements. George Robson from Doagh, was then appointed the new Vice Chair.

Robert first became involved with the agricultural society when he started showing dairy cattle at Antrim in the 1960s, and Fred first helped out when he was a member of the Young Farmer Clubs so there is a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw upon at the helm of the Society.

As Sheep Director, George has helped grow the sheep section in recent years, giving Antrim an enviable turn out of sheep each year.

The reports by the secretary and treasurer on last year’s show success left everyone in a positive mood and Robert added; “We are indebted to all of our sponsors for their continued support and to our volunteers without whom we could not put on our event, but we mustn’t become complacent. With the current Coronavirus situation Antrim must, of course, be prepared for the worst but we’ll certainly be hoping for the best as we continue with planning July’s show.”

Directors who were up for re-election at the meeting included David Crawford, James Clements, Fred Duncan and George Robson and all positions were re-elected.

Guest Speaker from Glenarm
After the formal proceedings, attendees got a chance to hear from the evening’s guest speaker, Adrian Morrow, Estate Manager at Glenarm Castle. Adrian gave a very entertaining and informative talk that gave attendees plenty of food for thought as they realised there were many similar challenges that both organisations experienced when running a public event in an outdoor space, especially in modern times.

Pictured below are the three new appointments at Antrim Agricultural Society: George Robson, Vice Chair, Robert Wallace, Chairman, and Fred Duncan, President.