An evening for nostalgia and to celebrate achievements

Brian Donaldson • Published 5 Aug 2010 16:30 0 Comments

THE odd burst of rain on Tuesday wasn't enough to dampen the spirits at the Fermanagh County Show as hundreds of people gathered on the grounds of Enniskillen Mart.

As most of the crowd consisted of farmers, who are more than used to a bit of rain here, the erratic weather conditions wasn't going to keep them inside!

It was a day out for the entire family. A chance for them to celebrate some of the farming community's greatest achievements and products, and catch up with friends.

From the donkey derby to papier-mâchè pigs, from flower arranging to Lisnaskea Parish Church's delicious burgers and hot dogs, there was something for everyone.

The dog show, cookery demos, farm machinery displays and an array of culinary treats at the Fivemiletown Creamery Foodhall meant both young and old didn't go without.

Not to mention, the rare breeds display, poultry, pets, fruit and vegetables keeping everyone amused.

There was something rather heart-warming about seeing dozens of family run businesses proudly showcasing their products to the mass crowds as well.

Traders like Irvinestown butcher, Stephen Millar: "Today is about showing everyone what we do. It's been busy but I wouldn't have it any other way. It's great to be here," he said.

Glenn Charles of the Cherry Tree Bakery said the show was a "chance to mingle" with other business people from around Fermanagh.

Over at the Cookery Demonstration Marquee, Belle Isle Cookery School and the Ulster Pork and Bacon Forum Chefs preformed their culinary magic.

While representatives from Sinn Fein and Fermanagh's District Policing Partnership discussed issues with locals and handed out copious amounts of leaflets, pens and surveys -- including pothole claim forms!

Stephen Lucy and Stephen Ferguson of Derrygonnelly and Churchill Young Farmers were enjoying the show too: "We come here every year and wouldn't miss it. It's games tonight, with tug of war and all the rest of it. Five clubs compete against each other. Clubs from Lisnaskea, Lisbellaw, Derrygonnelly, Kesh and Florencecourt. It's a bit of craic," they said.

The talents of kids from around the county were displayed in the children's section, sponsored by The Impartial Reporter.

There was a colourful mixture of drawings, papier-mâchè models, photographs, knitwear and essays.

Margaret McClure said judges received more entries this year than ever before: "We actually ran out of space. The standard seems to get higher every year. It's really wonderful."

Laura Rodgers, a P7 teacher at the Model, explained: "Nearly all the Primary Schools around Fermanagh get involved. We get so many pieces of art work, poetry and essays, which are so nicely presented. The story writing competition is based on a different farming theme each year. This year's theme was the Terrifying Tractor and the entries were fabulous," she said.

One proud parent was politician Arlene Foster, who stopped to admire her daughter Sarah's work: "This is a great event and one that people across the county look forward to every year. When you look at the number of schools that participate it really is brilliant. It's lovely to bring the children along. Ben is only three but he loves the rabbits and the cockerels and Sarah enjoyed taking part in the story writing," she said.

The bright 10-year-old added: "I loved taking part, literacy is my favourite subject. It's nice to come here, but my brother Ben is more interested in the animals!" she laughed.

Mrs. Foster was later spotted looking at a rather nice painting of a cow at one of the many stands inside: "Isn't that lovely? It reminds me of a cow that was on the farm when we were growing up. That's why I like it so much," she said.

And that 'nostalgic' feeling has always been evident at the County Show. It's a local tradition that has had generations flocking to it in their droves for 175 years.

Farmer and politician Tom Elliott recalled it being a big part of his childhood: I've been coming here since I was a wee boy. My mother and father would have always brought me here on the Tuesday night and on the Wednesday. It's a day out for the whole family and always will be," he said.

His colleague Alex Baird was a big fan of the hog roast on the spit: "I just had a pig burger and I tell you what, it's the nicest burger I've ever had in my life."

Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew said the County Show was her favourite event: "It's the last in the show season and on my home turf which is great. I like to see the cattle and sheep. There is a big poultry section which I always like to see as well. I enjoying getting out and speaking to the community. Not only do you have the rural and farming community coming out, but the people of Enniskillen too," she said.

As the first night came to a close, the wonderful tones of Letterbreen Silver Band played loudly across the grounds.

The parents hurried out with the children, faces full from the chocolate fountain. The pensioners carried out their bags of Fivemiletown Cheese and the angry motorists left with their pothole claim forms under their arms.

And the farmers? Well, they had no intention of leaving.

"Here Jimmy," shouted one, "How much for that silage trailer?"

"Let me see the colour of your money first," he replied.

COOKERY CLASSES

Pancakes - 1, Katie Rogers, Church Hill; 2, Jennifer McHugh, Ballinamallard; 3, Pauline Elliott, Blaney.

Scones - 1, Lorna Armstrong, Lisbellaw; 2, Jennifer McHugh, Ballinamallard; 3, Katie Rogers, Church Hill.

Potato farls - 1, Dorrie Foy, Enniskillen; 2, Joan Nelson, Irvinestown.

Soda Bread - 1, Joan Fisher, Killadeas;2; Laura Courtney, Lisbellaw; 3, Helen Stuart, Ballinamallard.

Wheaten Bread - 1, Elizabeth Elliott, Enniskillen; 2, Doreen Earls, Belleek; 3, Katie Rogers, Church Hill.

Oatmeal or any other variety of grain bread - 1, Joan Fisher, Killadeas; 2, Molly Fawcett, Enniskillen.

Fruit Cake - 1, Mrs. Molly Fawcett, Enniskillen.

Carrot Cake - 1, Lorna Armstrong, Lisbellaw; 2, Katie Rogers, Church Hill; 3, Anne Woods, Kilskeery.

Chocolate Cake - 1, Elizabeth Elliott, Enniskillen; 2, Dorrie Foy, Enniskillen; 3, Valerie McMorris, Ballinamallard.

Sponge Sandwich Cake - 1, Margaret Hemphill, Castlederg; 2, Dorrie Foy, Enniskillen; 3, Valerie McMorris, Ballinamallard.

Sponge Flan - 1, Violet Carrothers, Tempo; 2, Joan Nelson, Killadeas.

Victoria Sandwich - 1, Arlene Little, Enniskillen; 2, Pamela Beacom, Maguiresbridge; 3, Julie Elliott, Garrison.

Coffee Sandwich - 1, Gladys Nixon, Ballinamallard.

Gingerbread - 1, Doreen Earls, Belleek; 2, Peggy Mills, Dromore; 3, Margaret Hemphill, Castlederg.

Swiss Roll - 1, Violet Carrothers, Tempo; 2, Dorrie Foy, Enniskillen; 3, Margaret Hemphill, Castlederg.

Madeira Cake - 1, Ashley Brown, Springfield; 2, Julie Elliott, Garrison; 3, Pauline Elliott, Enniskillen.

Plain Scones - 1, Doreen Earls, Belleek; 2, Joan Nelson, Irvinestown; 3, Joan Fisher, Killadeas.

Rock Buns - 1, Joan Nelson, Irvinestown; 2, Dorrie Foy, Enniskillen; 3, Eileen Woods, Enniskillen.

Shortbread Biscuits - 1, Sarah Brown, Enniskillen; 2, Joan Nelson, Irvinestown; 3, Ashley Brown, Springfield.

Queen Cakes - 1, Jennifer McHugh, Ballinamallard; 2, Violet Carrothers, Tempo; 3, Joan Nelson, Irvinestown.

Small Cakes - 1, Annika Latimer, Brookeborough; 2, Lucinda Farrelly, Irvinestown; 3, Joan Nelson, Irvinestown.

Apple Tart - 1, Elizabeth Elliott, Enniskillen; 2, Doreen Earls, Belleek; 3, Pauline Elliott, Enniskillen.

Pavlova - 1, Lynsey Bell, Ballygawley; 2, Elizabeth Elliott, Enniskillen; 3, Lorna Armstrong, Lisbellaw.

Boiled Cake - 1, Ivy Patton, Kinawley; 2, Peggy Mills, Dromore; 3, Joan Nelson, Irvinestown.

Open Savoury Flan - 1, Julie Elliott, Garrison.

JUVENILE COOKERY CLASSES

Biscuits - 1, Grace Kettyle, Lisnaskea; 2, Melissa Paget, Enniskillen; 3, Julie Brown, Enniskillen.

Muffins - 1 and 2, Melissa Paget, Enniskillen; 3, Grace Kettyle, Lisnaskea.

Variety of three assorted "no-bakes" - 1 and 2, Grace Kettyle, Lisnaskea; 3, Melissa Paget, Enniskillen.

Decorated Pizza - 1 and 3, Grace Kettyle, Lisnaskea; 2, Melissa Paget, Enniskillen.

A Healthy Lunchbox - 1, Grace Kettyle, Lisnaskea; 2, Melissa Paget, Enniskillen; 3, Hugh and Angus Elliott, Ballinamallard.

Make a Farm Animal using Fruit & Vegetables - 1, Melissa Paget, Enniskillen; 2, Ewan Elliott, Enniskillen; 3, Victoria Elliott, Enniskillen.

Afternoon Tea for two - three items, one savoury, two sweet - 1, Annika Latimer, Brookeborough.

Winner of the Bakery Memorial Cup - Grace Kettyle.

The Irish Shows Association and Moate Show Society Chocolate Cook of the Year - Eva Baxter, Ballinamallard and Naomi Morrison, Maguiresbridge, both qualified for the final at the Moate Show.

JAMS AND JELLIES ETC CLASSES

Freezer Jam - 1, Valerie Byers, Lisbellaw.

Strawberry - 1, Wendy Hall, Kesh; 2, Elizabeth Elliott, Enniskillen; 3, Nora Little, Enniskillen.

Blackcurrant - 1, Ivy Patton, Kinawley; 2, Dorothy Humphreys, Letterbreen; 3, Valerie Byers, Lisbellaw.

Raspberry - 1, Elizabeth Elliott, Enniskillen; 2, Dorrie Foy, Enniskillen; 3, Lorna Armstrong, Lisbellaw.

Gooseberry - 1, Lorna Armstrong, Lisbellaw.

Rhubarb - 1, Margaret Hemphill, Castlederg; 2, Lany McAnerin, Kesh; 3, ella Gibson, Irvinestown.

Marmalade - Elizabeth Elliott, Enniskillen; 2, Margaret Hemphill, Castlederg; 3, Doreen Earls, Belleek.

Jelly, any fruit - 1 and 3, Valerie Byers, Lisbellaw; 2, Margaret Hemphill, Castlederg.

Lemon Curd - 1 and 2, Valerie Byers, Lisbellaw; 3, Jean McFarland, Enniskillen.

Chutney - 1, Valerie Byers, Lisbellaw; 2, Arlene Little, Enniskillen; 3, Nora Little, Enniskillen.

Bottled Fruit - 1, Valerie Byers, Lisbellaw.

Winner of the Mrs. J. W. Veitch Cup - Valerie Byers, Lisbellaw.

JUVENILE SECTION

Jam - any variety - 1, Grace Kettyle, Lisnaskea; 2, Brian Johnston, Irvinestown; 3, James Graham, Enniskillen.

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This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 05 Aug 10

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