Trade Stands vie for awards at Ploughing Match
The 69th Northern Ireland International Ploughing Match took place at Drumahoe with a host of visitors making the trip to the North West venue owned by the Craig family on both Friday and Saturday.
A popular feature of the match for visitors is always the trade stand displays which promote various products and services for farmers and rural families. This year there were over 60 exhibitors on site from across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and England. In addition to exhibits from the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development and Danske Bank, the products and services being promoted ranged from cheese to coffee; feeds to fencing and toys to tractors.
Once again the Best Trade Stand Competition was supported by Danske Bank with judging taking place on Friday. This year the competition was judged by Tom McCracken, Past Chairman, NI Ploughing Association, Mark Taylor, Agribusiness Manager, Northern Bank and John Henning, Head of Agricultural Relations, Northern Bank.
Following lengthy deliberation over their final placings, the award for Best Trade Stand at the 2012 Match went to the joint exhibit from John McElderry, Ballymoney and D & M Farm Machinery, Eglinton with their display of machinery and equipment. McElderry’s William Sawyers and Kevin Gribben from D&M Farm Machinery were on hand to receive the Danske Bank Certificate & Award from John Henning and Mark Taylor.
The Runner Up Award this year went to Holden Agriculture from Artigarvan with their range of livestock and farm products. Both Alan Holden and Kenneth Holmes from the company were present to receive their awards.
The Award for Third Best Trade Stand was won by the Health & Safety Executive NI with their important topical exhibit focusing on farm safety. On behalf of HSENI the awards were received by John Spiers and Paul Kelly.
Speaking after the awards presentations John Henning said “Danske Bank is pleased to sponsor this competition as the trade stands are an important element at the NI International Ploughing Match. We congratulate all the winners and indeed all trade exhibitors who were present this year to promote their products and services to visitors. Their presence at the event undoubtedly added to the spectacle for visitors and we hope it was successful for them”.
A popular feature of the match for visitors is always the trade stand displays which promote various products and services for farmers and rural families. This year there were over 60 exhibitors on site from across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and England. In addition to exhibits from the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development and Danske Bank, the products and services being promoted ranged from cheese to coffee; feeds to fencing and toys to tractors.
Once again the Best Trade Stand Competition was supported by Danske Bank with judging taking place on Friday. This year the competition was judged by Tom McCracken, Past Chairman, NI Ploughing Association, Mark Taylor, Agribusiness Manager, Northern Bank and John Henning, Head of Agricultural Relations, Northern Bank.
Following lengthy deliberation over their final placings, the award for Best Trade Stand at the 2012 Match went to the joint exhibit from John McElderry, Ballymoney and D & M Farm Machinery, Eglinton with their display of machinery and equipment. McElderry’s William Sawyers and Kevin Gribben from D&M Farm Machinery were on hand to receive the Danske Bank Certificate & Award from John Henning and Mark Taylor.
The Runner Up Award this year went to Holden Agriculture from Artigarvan with their range of livestock and farm products. Both Alan Holden and Kenneth Holmes from the company were present to receive their awards.
The Award for Third Best Trade Stand was won by the Health & Safety Executive NI with their important topical exhibit focusing on farm safety. On behalf of HSENI the awards were received by John Spiers and Paul Kelly.
Speaking after the awards presentations John Henning said “Danske Bank is pleased to sponsor this competition as the trade stands are an important element at the NI International Ploughing Match. We congratulate all the winners and indeed all trade exhibitors who were present this year to promote their products and services to visitors. Their presence at the event undoubtedly added to the spectacle for visitors and we hope it was successful for them”.
The Best Trade Stand Competition last year was won by Cowcare Systems from Ballymoney
Exhibitors from across the country, and beyond, turned up in their numbers for the ploughing championships on 5th & 6th October 2012. While trade stands include agricultural, plant and building machinery, other exhibitors included health, beauty and children’s workshops.
A Best Trade Stand Competition, sponsored by Danske Bank, with specially commissioned awards were presented to the best three trade stands at the event. This competition, which is always keenly contested, was judged on Friday with all trade stands coming under the scrutiny of the judges. The NIPA put an increased focus on the trade element of the event this year and encouraged a bigger and broader range of trade exhibits to interest both farmers and other visitors, particularly families.
Speaking at the launch, NIPA Chairman Mr Wilson Holden said “Over the past couple of years we have aimed to increase the number of visitors and exhibitors, showcasing a wide range of products from farm machinery and vehicles, to food and small crafts.”
Other attractions including Young Farmer’s competitions, tractor pulling, digger driving and schools competitions proved the event is much more than a ploughing contest. With Fiddler Adam & Hugo Duncan providing the entertainment, a large crowd enjoyed the event in the North West.
A Best Trade Stand Competition, sponsored by Danske Bank, with specially commissioned awards were presented to the best three trade stands at the event. This competition, which is always keenly contested, was judged on Friday with all trade stands coming under the scrutiny of the judges. The NIPA put an increased focus on the trade element of the event this year and encouraged a bigger and broader range of trade exhibits to interest both farmers and other visitors, particularly families.
Speaking at the launch, NIPA Chairman Mr Wilson Holden said “Over the past couple of years we have aimed to increase the number of visitors and exhibitors, showcasing a wide range of products from farm machinery and vehicles, to food and small crafts.”
Other attractions including Young Farmer’s competitions, tractor pulling, digger driving and schools competitions proved the event is much more than a ploughing contest. With Fiddler Adam & Hugo Duncan providing the entertainment, a large crowd enjoyed the event in the North West.