Magnificent displays at Flower Show

John Patton, President welcomed a large turnout of visitors to the opening ceremony. He congratulated everyone on the colorful display and invited Dr John Johnston to officially open the Show.

Dr Johnston said he was no horticultural expert and congratulated the exhibitors on the high standard of their exhibits. He had a special word of encouragement to the young people on their wonderful display of handcrafts.

Dr Johnston then presented the cups and prizes to the successful exhibitors.

John Patton presented a cheque to Valerie Shearer as the Associations donation to the Children’s MRI Scanner Appeal for the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. Valerie told the audience that the Royal was the only children’s hospital in the UK without an MRI scanner. She said two years ago four charities got together to raise the two million pounds required. They have now raised 1.3 million and thanked the Association for their donation.

Trevor Wright, Chairperson proposed a vote of thanks to the Select Vestry of St Patrick’s Parish for the use of their halls, Hubert Taggart of Hugh Taggart and Sons for the use of timber for staging, James Leslie for transportation of staging, to members of Ballymoney Women’s Institute for serving teas during the afternoon, to Ballymoney Borough Council and all the sponsors, to the hard working members of committee especially Kenneth Bacon, Secretary, Auldwyn Calderwood, Show Secretary, Valerie McKnight, Treasurer, Grace Patton and her team for organising refreshments for the judges, to all the Judges, Stewards, Exhibitors and all who helped to erect and remove staging.

The end result was another successful show.

Cups and Prizes

The MacLaughlin Cup and Garden Gift Token worth £5 presented by Grace Smyrell for the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 1, Confined Section - Auldwyn Calderwood, Dunloy.

The Horticultural Cup and Garden Gift Token worth £5 presented by Grace Smyrell for the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 2, Vegetables - Auldwyn Calderwood, Dunloy.

The R.J. Carson Memorial Cup awarded to the winner of Class 45, a Collection of Vegetables and a special prize of £10 donated by Trevor Wright - Auldwyn Calderwood, Dunloy.

Second Prize £5: Sam Moore, Brougshane.

The Dill Cup for the exhibitor gaining the most points in Section 3, Fruit - Denis Connelly, Balnamore.

The Tresna Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 3, Tomatoes - Denis Connelly, Balnamore.

A prize of £5 (donated by Denis Connelly) awarded to the best exhibit of Tomatoes - Denis Connelly, Balnamore.

The John & Eileen Mathews Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Sections 1,2 & 3 Fruit & Vegetables - Auldwyn Calderwood, Dunloy.

The Orr Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 4, Sweet Pea - Derrick Turbitt, Portstewart.

The Moffett Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 4, Gladioli - Sam Moore, Brougshane and Kenny Bacon, Ballymoney.

The Craigdun Rose Bowl awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 4, Roses - Geoffrey Robinson, Cloughmills.

The Mulree Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 4, Hybrid Tea Roses - Geoffrey Robinson, Cloughmills.

John McElderry Prizes presented for Class 62, Roses Hybrid Tea, Box of six blooms. First Prize £3.00: Geoffrey Robinson, Cloughmills, Second Prize £2.00: Lily Swinson, Coleraine.

The McKeever Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 4, Dahlias - Derrick Turbitt, Portstewart.

The Moore Lodge Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 4, Sweat Pea, Gladioli, Roses and Dahlias - Derrick Turbitt, Portstewart.

The Sleator Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 4, Other Flowers and Pot Plants - Betty Holmes, Garvagh.

The Leslie Hill Cup awarded to the winner of Class 81 Carnations, 5 blooms. Frank Herbison, Cloughmills.

A gift token presented by Damhead Nurseries for the exhibitor gaining most points in

Section 4, Flowers - Derrick Turbitt, Portstewart.

The Ballymoney Garden Centre Cup and a £3 gift voucher awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 5, Cacti and Succulents – First Prize - Frank Herbison, Cloughmills. Second Prize - Auldwyn Calderwood, Dunloy. Third Prize - Trevor Wright, Dunaghy.

Special Prize donated by Evelyne Robinson awarded to the exhibitor gaining the most points in Section 6, Fuchsia. Frank Herbison, Cloughmills.

The Michael Cup and a Gift Token worth £5 presented by Blooms Florists awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 7, Floral Art - Elizabeth Connor, Garvagh.

The Losty Tray and £5 donated by Grace Smyrell awarded to the exhibitor gaining second highest number of points in Section 7, Floral Art - Pat Hartin, Ballymoney.

The Holmes Cup which is awarded to the Women’s Institute gaining most points in Section 8, Women’s Institute Section - Kilrea WI

The Peg Pollock Cup and a Gift Token worth £5 presented by Buds n Bows awarded to the Institute member gaining most points in Section 9, Women’s Institute Individual Member Section - Margaret Bamford, Kilrea WI.

Second Prize of £5 donated by Grace Smyrell - Elizabeth Connor, Garvagh WI.

The William H Anderson Memorial Shield and a prize of £5 donated by Evelyne Robinson awarded to the exhibitor Under 12 gaining most points in Section 10a, Young Persons Classes - Ellen Gilmour, Ballymoney.

The John Patton Trophy, and second prize of £3 donated by Sylvia Robb – Rachel and Mathew Gilmour, Ballymoney.

Third prize of £2 donated by Sylvia Robb - Orla Renny, Cloughmills.

The J.M. Wreath Cup and a prize of £10 donated by Ena Lee awarded to the exhibitor over 12 gaining most points in Section 10b, Young Persons Classes - Evie Flynn, Templepatrick.

Second prize of £3 donated by Sylvia Robb - Susan Gilmour, Ballymoney.

The Greer Cup and a special prize of £10 donated by Gertrude Aiken awarded to the competitor gaining most points in Section 11, Home Industries - Betty Holmes, Garvagh.

The Borough Trophy and a special prize of £10 donated by Gertrude Aiken awarded to the exhibitor gaining the most points in Section 11, Home Industries, Classes 150-156 - Margaret Calderwood, Dunloy

The Patterson Trophy awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Section 12, Handcrafts - Margaret Pitcher, Ballymoney

The Jack Pollock Trophy awarded to the exhibitor gaining the second highest number of points in Show - Betty Holmes, Garvagh.

The North Antrim Horticultural Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining most points in Show - Auldwyn Calderwood, Dunloy.