New Show President is elected

BILL McWhirter has been elected to the position of Ballymena Show President for 2011-2013.

He was welcomed to the post at the recent County Antrim Agricultural Association agm by Show Chairman, Randal Hayes.

A stalwart supporter of Ballymena Show, Bill joined the Association as a Life Member in 1976.

He was elected on to the Show Executive Committee in 1992 and with a great love of ponies, Bill’s knowledge and skills became very useful to the horse committee.

During the build up to the show and on show days, he was always in the heart of things - parking lorries, setting up courses and stewarding - no task was too great, or small.

Prior to his retirement from the committee in 2009, Bill converted a double decker bus, now used for showjumping registration and for judges to view the arenas.

He was also instrumental in promoting the Family Pony section to encourage novices to participate in competitions.

The Association is delighted to have him onboard as President and look forward to working with him once more, especially on show days (last Friday and Saturday in May) when Ballymena Showgrounds will become a hive of activity with cattle, horses, ponies, sheep, goats, poultry, crafts and local produce as well as machinery, cars and other equipment.