After 67 years Saintfield Show pulls out of town

After 67 years Saintfield Show pulls out of town

27 March 2013

AFTER almost 70 years Saintfield Agriculture Show is moving away from the town which bears its name.

In a ground-breaking move the Show committee has linked up with Lisburn City Council and switched the event to the new Balmoral Park on the site of the former Maze Prison.

The 2013 show will be the first time since the event was first staged in 1945 that it will not be in Saintfield. The new Lisburn and Saintfield District Show will take place on Saturday, June 15.

Show chairman, Crosby Cleland, said in recent months the committee had been trying to find ways of reinvigorating what has long been one of the key events in the agricultural show calendar.

“It’s no secret that our show, over recent years, has been bedevilled with bad weather and equally poor ground conditions,” said Mr. Cleland.

“Over recent months we have sought to identify ways of bringing an entirely new dimension to the event. And I am delighted to confirm that discussions held with the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) and Lisburn City Council have borne fruit in a very exciting way.

“Obviously this is a new start. However, we can’t forget the past and, in this context, I would like to record the tremendous contribution made by Jim Prentice, who provided us with lands at Oughley Road for many years,” added Mr. Cleland.

Balmoral Park is the new RUAS showground which is the replacement for the King’s Hall complex which held the premier ‘Balmoral Show’ for many years.

Mr. Cleland particularly highlighted the significance of hosting the new event at Balmoral Park.

“This year’s event will add a new dimension to the agricultural show season in Northern Ireland with the new site playing a crucial role in this regard.”

He continued: “We have a number of important firsts organised for 2013, one of which is dressage. And again, the availability of the sand arena at Balmoral Park will help make all of this so much more exciting.”

“More than ever Lisburn and Saintfield District Show will be an opportunity to promote the farming and equestrian communities. Exhibitors compete for a wide selection of silverware plus prize money. There are also opportunities to gain points for various breed society awards and qualify for prestigious finals at shows throughout Ireland.

“There will, of course, be a real focus on a family fun day out in 2013. Children under 16 have always been admitted free to our Show.

“I cannot stress strongly enough the tremendous support and enthusiasm received by the organising committee to date from a wide range of organisations, most notably Lisburn City Council and the RUAS.”

The Show Committee has confirmed the following fundraising events: Night At the Races, Chestnut Inn, Ballygowan, on Saturday, April 13, and a dance at Rockmount Golf Club on June 1.

Further information on Lisburn and Saintfield District Show is available from Show Secretary, Mrs Shelley Quinn: Tel: 07821 588390, secretary@saintfieldshow.co.uk, www.saintfieldshow.co.uk