Castlewellan Show 2009
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A huge crowd of exhibitors, traders and members of the public, young and old enjoyed a mostly sunny day at this year's Castlewellan Show. Over 4000 entries were received across over 600 classes, with once again the home industries and school's sections attracting the largest number. Show secretary Violet Bell was delighted with the turnout " I think we have got the balance right with high quality fields in the animal classes and lots to do and see on the day for local families with free entry for children".

Exhibitors arrived from 5am in the morning with the goat milking taking place at around 7am. Animals were washed and combed across the field from the early hours in preparation for the judging which took place throughout the day. This year for the first time the show featured five classes for pigs and the selection of British Saddlebacks, Glos Old Spots and Middle Whites proved a great attraction. The pig theme was echoed in the home industries tent with a home made pig pen filled with piggy exhibits made from plant pots, rice, wire, pottery, wood and wool. Poultry now in its third year increased the number of entrants and the poultry tent was well visited by young and old throughout the day. Billy Burrough's Llamas and World of Owls also proved a great hit with the children.

There was great live action entertainment with the sheep shearing which went on until the evening and was a great crowd puller. The Young Farmer's "Its A Knockout" competition featured a kitchen theme with the competitors dressed in chef's outfits resulting in eggs, flour and pastries of various descriptions flying through the air. The mounted games with commentary by Raymond Bready were undeterred by the advancing showers and provided a thrilling spectacle in the late afternoon. More sedate pursuits of spinning and weaving were demonstrated in the wool tent.

Local produce was high on the agenda, with County Down strawberries and gooseberries, apple juice from Armagh, Pheasant's Hill organic bacon butties, locally made cheeses and honey and palate pleasing olives, curry sauce, gourmet burgers and a chocolate fountain.

There was plenty of jumping with the Newcastle & District Riding Club running the unaffiliated show jumping in the main arena and the working hunters and ponies putting on a great display at the top end of the field.Once again the Clydesdales were so graceful to watch, with the miniature horses providing entertainment at the other end of the size spectrum. The driving & hackney classes and donkeys occupied the arenas towards the end of the day.

The dog agility and obedience attracted great crowds and provided a popular picnic spot for families. The sheep pens once again yielded a very competitive field across all classes and continues to be the largest sheep competition in a one day show.

The show once again received great coverage from Radio Ulster with a live broadcast in the morning for Your Place & Mine as well as sports commentator Gavin Andrews on site carrying out a series of live interviews for the Summer Club afternoon sports programme. Describing interviewees Sean, John and Jack as the adonises of the sheep shearing world has only added to the credibility of the variety of talent of our competitors. Former UTV sports presenter Adrian Logan was there as part of Relief Reporters which gave young people on the day the chance to film their own TV reports for a European Commission initiative. All of those filmed on the day will be judged for a chance to go to the UTV studios to record a professional edition of their report.

The show was marred by a tragic event which took place in the morning, when a loose horse struck Mr William McNeill from Clough who subsequently died from his injuries. Show Secretary Violet Bell said "This was a great shock and we will be co-operating fully with all investigations. On behalf of the Show Committee I wish to convey our deepest sympathy to Mr McNeill's family".

Fidelma Carolan
Committee Press Officer

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