Ballywalter Game And Country Living Fair Yesterday Sunday 6th May

[Margaret Mc Stay]

The alarm clock went off loud and clear on Sunday morning at 6.00am, which signalled for me the start of another brilliant day at Ballywalter Game and Country Living Fair. After enjoying a great day on Saturday at Ballywalter, visiting the many trade stands including Lawrence Hawleys stand who had some lovely ladies hunter wellingtons and all necessities to do with country living. Lawrence travels over from Newcastle, and told me he just loves Ballywalter and its people, and looks forward to coming here with his stand every year. I also visited Stephen Smiths Barbour Country Wear. Some lovely jackets there at reasonable prices, and I stopped off at Richard from Portadowns " Outdoor Experience" Stand. Some great bargains here and a load of choice goods.I enjoying the Miss Country living contest sponsored by Sunday Life Newspaper,and judged by Mr Paul Pringle, and Mr Keith Matthews,managed some fly fishing under the watchful eye of instructor Mark Patterson Flyfish NI,took part in the Terrier,Whippet and Lurcher racing demonstration in the main arena, and watched many more events in the main arena including Keith Matthews and his dog obedience. Keith gave a very professional performance of which nearly every family at the Game Fair took part in. Headed up to the Courtyard and sampled all the beautiful food up there. It made me very proud to be from Northern Ireland where such great food can be produced. Having such a relaxing fun day out on Saturday, I just could not wait to get back up there on Sunday. So with Big John and Whippets in toe, we set off on our journey and a labour of love. The sun shone continously, with not a cloud in the sky and did so all day to we returned home in the evening at 9.00pm.

The Dog Show started promptly at 11.00am,with the car park packed with cars,vans and dog trailers.A very big turnout from the Canine fraternity. The showing commenced with Albertj Tetterington welcoming everybody to the show and introducing the Judges.

Rose Mc Coy - Lurchers

Barry Wade - Terriers

Kieran Young - Whippets

Glenbank Club running Showing and Racing.

I have some Random results, but with such a big turnout it would be impossible to get all the results.I have no racing results. Maybe the Glenbank team could put the racing results up please. But here goes with what I have.

Childrens Handling Class

1/ Abbey Dummigan

2/ Jessica Herald

3/ Jack Dummigan

4/ Brea Rooney

All the children that took part were all winners and real little show people. All made there parents very proud of them, and all went home with handfuls of goodies. I am sure it was early to bed last night,just wore out.

Ladies Handling Class

1/ Gillian Cunningham

2/ Stacy Rainey

3/ Janice Lane

4/ Kirsty Fyffe

Gents Handling Class

1/ Brian Crothers

2/ Mick Dipploo

3/ John Mc Stay

4/ Davy Best

Overall Family Class Champion

Champion - Abbey Dumigan

Reserve Champion- Brian Crothers

Terriers

Lakelands

1/ Paul Heslip

2/ John Heslip

3/ Ian Heslip

4/ Peter Morgan

Patterdale or Fell over 1yr old.

1/ Ian Heslip

2/ John Heslip

Borders

1/ Bill Clinton

2/ E Norman.

Champion Terrier

Champion Terrier - Dessie Macken

Reserve Champion - Paul Heslip

Lurchers

Over 23

1/ Fiona Devlin

2/ LeeArcher

3/ Kirsty Harpur

Rough Over 23

1/ David Simms

2/ Glenn Doherty

3/ Barry Holland

Any Variety Lamping Lurcher

1/ Stephen Dummigan

2/ Brian Crothers

3/ Glenn Doherty

Collie Cross

1/ Glenn Doherty

2/ Lee Archer

3/ Patrick Herald

4/ Michael Quinn

Terrier Breed Lurcher

1/ Chontelle Mc Meekin

Whippet Cross

1/ Fiona Devlin

Vetern Lurcher

1/ Graham Brennan

2/ Ann Forsythe

Champion Lurcher

Champion Lurcher- Stephen Dummigan

Reserve Champion - Megan Crothers

Whippets

Whippet Bitch Pups

1/ Ann Forsythe

2/ Graham Meek

3/ Michael Quinn

Whippet Dog Pup

1/ Gary Kane

2/ Margaret Mc Stay

3/ Janice Lane

Champion Whippet Pup -Gary Kane

Reserve Champion - Ann Forsythe

Whippet Bitch

1/ Davy Best

2/ Jason Dunwoody

3/ Kyle Mc Avoy

Whippet Dog

1/ Graham Meek

2/ Davy Best

3/ Gary Kane

Working Whippet Bitch

1/ Jason Dunwoody

2/ Davy Best

3/ Kyle Mc Avoy

4/ Ann Forsythe

Working Whippet Dog

1/ Mickey Quinn

Whippet Champion - Graham Meek

Pup Champion

Champion Pup - Dessie Macken

Reserve Champion - Gary Kane

Overall Ballywalter 2012 Show Champion

Overall Show Champion - Graham Meek with Merlin

Reserve Show Champion - Dessie Macken with Soda

A big congratulations to you both and to all the winers, and also to everyone who took part, but did not win, congratulations to you all.

And finally,many thanks to the Judges, and the Glenbank Club, you both had difficult tasks to carry out on the day, and did it with precision. Bluebell, what can I say that I have not said about you over the years. Many thanks for all the photographs taken on the day. We are eternally grateful to you for recording all our moments of glory. Look forward to seeing them up soon. A big thank you to Davy of Dog TV, for following us all around over the 2 days.You did a great job, and such a nice pleasant man.and Rosmary from Sunday Life, you were a pleasure to speak to and you looked after the contestant of Miss Country Living all day just like a mother.Rosmary a job well done.

And the persons responsible for all the Fun of the Fair is Game Fair director Mr Albertj Tetterington and his good wife Irene. Irene works tirelessley behind the scenes at central control,making sure everything goes right on the day. Albert you have given so many people and families so much enjoyment over the years with your Game Fairs,each year going from strenght to strenght. and this weekend was no different.So many people went home happy with their winnings. Of this we are all truly grateful, and may you,your fellow directors,committe and team of helpers have continued success for many years to come. So now Ballywalter is over, lets all get ready for Shanes Castle :

Irish Game and Country Fair on 7th & 8th July 2012 at Shanes Castle, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland. See you all there and put these dates in your diary.

Margaret Mc Stay

 

[Swift]

:thumbsup: Top class report and congratulations to the winners and all those who took part :thumbsup: