THE 19th annual Vintage Rally and Heritage Day, organised by the local Vintage Society, once again brought a good crowd of people to the picturesque village of Carnlough.
The Rally, the first since 2019 due to Covid, was held as part of the Carnlough Festival, co-ordinated by the Antrim Coast Lions. One thing that distinguishes Carnlough from other vintage events is that it is held on what locals call the Front Street, with everything practically there at your fingertips.
There was the usual selection of vintage vehicles, as well as demonstrations of threshing, metalwork, thatching, spinning, egg hatching, making soda bread, butter churning and horse shoeing.
Also popular was Michael Cowan’s fascinating Model Farm, all the way from Armagh, and back this year was Alex Robinson’s Sparta APC Tank, along with Paddy McKeown’s horse and four wheeler.
There was entertainment, too, from local country singer Stephen Beckett.
For the less vintage generation, there were rare breeds, McMullan’s Mobile Farm, not to mention the usual favourites of face painting and other children’s entertainment.
And it wouldn’t be a Vintage Rally in Carnlough without Carnlough Women’s Institute, who were demonstrating a variety of craftworks. There were also homemade baking and cards on sale. The money raised by the Women’s Institute will go to charity.
The top two prizes in the draw, meanwhile, went to visitors from Belfast and Lurgan.
The rally came to its traditional close with a short tractor run.
The organisers would like to thank sponsors Mid and East Antrim Borough Council; all the exhibitors, demonstrators and artists, and everyone who helped in any way to make this 19th annual event its usual resounding success.
Also coming up in Carnlough is the annual sheepdog trials, organised by the Glencloy Farmers Committee, to be held at Bay Farm on the first Saturday in September.
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