RECORD numbers of vintage vehicles and visitors attended the ninth annual cross-community Claragh Bridge Vintage, Classic, and Agricultural show.
Despite the showery weather, visitors to the show enjoyed a day packed of vintage vehicles, and many attractions at Drumaroad on Saturday 28July. BBC Radio Ulster made an early morning visit to the show and broadcast a live radio interview on the Saturday morning programme ‘Your Place and Mine’.
xx Many visitors were just quackers about the Claragh Bridge show. Pictured are Nathan Shields, Brian Burrows and Dylan Fleming with their Indian Runner cross ducklings.
The popular steam engines as well as the return of threshing mills and bailers threshing the corn proved once again to be a big hit with the crowd.
Show secretary Patrick Clarke said: “The show also hosted a wide range of stalls and trade stands as well as the country market and craft fayre. Drumaroad and Clanvaraghan Community Zone held a bake-off competition, a fancy dress competition for children and presented their findings from the recently completed village plan for Clanvaraghan. Whether you wanted to sample the delicious Abernethy butter fudge, buy a cup cake or a duckling, or watch the sheaf pitching, there was plenty there to entertain everyone.
“The opening of the Blacksmith’s shop on the Ballynahinch Road by Walter Watson and the display of original blacksmith tools was also enjoyed by visitors. Other popular attractions included the annual townland tug o’ war completion which was won by Claragh Bridge captained by Seamus Fegan. Musical entertainment and compere for the day was provided by Eamon McCann who kept the atmosphere on the boil.”
Claragh Bridge Vintage Club Chairperson Liam Quinn sincerely thanked everyone in the planning and organisation of the annual show which was the most successful to date. He said: “The ninth annual cross-community show was attended by large crowds and again record entries beating last year’s show.
“Despite the very changeable weather people enjoyed the carnival atmosphere and wide range of attractions. Given the very present economic climate it was far beyond the organising committee’s expectations how successful the show was this year.
LINK TO CLARAGH BRIDGE SHOW PHOTOS IN DOWN NEWS
“It is a credit to the dedicated voluntary efforts of all who were involved in putting the show together since January.
“The main proceeds from the 2012 show will be donated to Autism Initiatives as well as other local, charitable, community and voluntary organisations.
“The Claragh Bridge committee wishes to thank all the sponsors, advertisers and patrons, and look forward to welcoming everyone to the 1tenth anniversary show on Saturday 27 July 2013.”
