Crowds flocked to the Montalto Estate in Ballynahinch last weekend to enjoy a fantastic harvest and fine food festival in lovely autumn sunshine.
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Ballynahinch Harvest Fair organiser Albert Titterington, right, pictured with Clifford and Linda Park of Tara Carriages, and Cllr Terry Andrews, Down Council Chairman Cllr Billy Walker, South Down MP Margaret Ritchie, Strangford MP Jim Shannon and Cllr Patsy Toman.[/caption]
A gargantuan effort by country fair supremo Albert Titterington and his hard working team once again pulled off a remarkable success by running a splendid country fair in the beautiful Montalto Estate near Ballynahinch. There is no doubt that the crowd attending next year will increase in size given the sheer variety of events and activities, and the relaxed fun atmosphere.
Speaking to Down News following the harvest fair, Albert Titterington, Director Great Game Fairs of Ireland, explained: “Overall the Ballynahinch Harvest & Country Living Festival was an outstanding success and we were delighted to welcome thousands of visitors to the wonderful Montalto Estate to enjoy a fabulous mix of events and attractions celebrating all that’s wonderful in country sports, pursuits and lifestyles. The estate looked absolutely magnificent, bathed in glorious autumn sunshine, and there was a marvelously friendly and relaxed atmosphere all weekend.
“I was particularly pleased to see that, on Saturday, with our horse drawn cavalcade and battle re-enactment added to the innovative Council-organised family fun day in the heart of Ballynahinch meant and whole town was buzzing with excitement.
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Whippet winners: Judge Rose McQuoid, centre, with show champion Tracy Gill and Reserve Champion Graham Fyffe.[/caption]
“The target we had set for the twin locus event was that we would attract 15,000 people to the Ballynahinch area over the weekend. We are delighted to say we achieved that objective. Both the town on the Saturday and the estate on Saturday and Sunday played host to thousands of happy families.
“I’d like to thank all those whose hard work and enthusiasm combined to showcase Ballynahinch at its best this weekend, notably the traders, hospitality sector and business community of Ballynahinch and surrounding area especially those who decorated their business premises with a harvest theme. They really embraced the commercial and promotional opportunities which the event delivered and, I hope, benefited accordingly.
“The whole community got behind its own ‘Fall Festival’ and the results spoke volumes about the unique attractions of this historic market town. Of course nothing can be done at this scale without the far-sighted support of major funders so I would like, on behalf of us all, to express my gratitude to Down District Council, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, EAFRD and DARD through the Rural Development Programme. They all recognized the economic benefits of the Ballynahinch Harvest & Country Living Festival to the town and county and I hope we have now planted a seed which will grown and bear fruit in the coming years.
CLICK LINK FOR IMAGES OF THE HARVEST FESTIVAL
“One of our re-enactors returning from the re-enactment of the Battle of Ballynahinch in the town reported he had been tickled by this comment he heard, ‘That was the most people in Ballynahinch since the Battle of Ballynahinch.’ “
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Albert Reid from Seaforde with his golden retreiver at the wheel.[/caption]
There was a vast array of stalls selling everything a country living person would want from old maps of Ireland to bags of proprietary dog food and turned wooden bowls to wood burning stoves. As you walked around the Montalto estate, the various yards and open spaces were filled with food stands with top quality items and fine wines, and if you got peckish you could even feat on a wild boar sandwich.
The main arena itself was buzzing with a show from the muzzle loaders, a display from a poacher, and the popular lurcher and terrier dog shows. But the terrific knights of old showing of daring deeds on horseback using swords and lances and the lovely commentary was another crowd pleaser particularly entertaining the young ones.
No country event would be a success without a clay pigeon shoot and the shoot supported by Ballygugan House drew a large number of top class shooters and some just dusting down their shotguns for the day’s event. The gundogs’ trails too was a popular event and the lake located in the from of the big house on the estate was a perfect setting for this event.
Small (and not so small) children also enjoyed the free carousel which added a fantasy touch to the day.
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A Driad pictured in the Square in Ballynahinch with some local children.[/caption]
Speaking launching the festival at Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch Margaret Ritchie said: “This Country Living and Harvest Fair Festival combined with the superb early autumn weather will act as a stimulus to our local economy in this part of South Down. It will showcase Ballynahinch, Drumaness and the rural environment unveiling to the wider public the strong agricultural focus of this local economy along with a range of country sports such as angling and dog trials. In fact, many artisans are able to exhibit their food produce – the culmination of arduous research, innovation and hard work. “This festival is a celebration of the work and endeavours of many individuals including the Country Living Festival organised by Albert Titterington and others. “Commendation must also go to the sponsors – Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Down District Council and Rural Development Council who invested much resources and time in this festival. I now hope that further recognition can be given to this festival, if it becomes a permanent fixture, by both central and local government, because through it’s good work it will be able to embed many small enterprises into our local economy and thus sustain jobs.
“I hope that this festival becomes an annual event in the calendar of events for this constituency” added Ms Ritchie.
Jim Shannon, MP for Strangford, who jointly opened the festival with South Down MP Margaret Ritchie. welcomed the new Countryside and Living Festival at Ballynahinch as a truly excellent event. Mr Shannon said: “The good weather certainly attracted a large crowd and for many, the stunning surroundings of Montalto was part of the attraction.
“Country living was the theme with food of all sorts on display as well as dog shows, fishing stands, clay pigeon shooting to name just a few – what more could you want on a sunny afternoon, a really enjoyable day out. Lunch in the Carriage Room was a must where the catering was carried out by Yellow Door. It was a culinary experience not to be missed. It is hoped that this first successful year will be the forerunner of an annual event. So far this year’s event has been very encouraging and we hope for even more for the years to come.”
Down District Council Chairman Councillor Billy Walker also said: “Ballynahinch’s first ever Harvest and Country Living Festival was deemed a triumphant success. Thousands of eager spectators and participants descended into Ballynahinch on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 October 2014. Events were held in the town centre and also in Montalto Estate.”
Councillor Walker who attended both events said: “I was overwhelmed with the crowds who took to the streets of Ballynahinch town centre and who visited Montalto Estate on Saturday and Sunday. I wish to convey my sincere thanks to Albert Titterington, his team and Montalto Estate and to Priscilla McAlinden and all the Council staff who were involved in delivering the town centre event.
“Praise and appreciation must be extended to the shopkeepers, sponsors, performers and indeed the wider community who made such a huge effort to create an event which was thoroughly enjoyed by the people of Down District and to those who travelled far and wide to the town and country for the celebrations.”
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