Youth awards for Clogher Valley show helpers

FOLLOWING on from the death of the President of Clogher Valley Agricultural Society, Capt R H Lowry OBE, the show committee wanted to acknowledge the dedication that

he gave to the show for a long number of years.

The Captain, as he was fondly known, had a lot of time for everyone, and especially young volunteers who he encouraged to take part in their respective rolls each year at the show. The committee decided that an annual bursary be given to a first year agricultural student to help them further their studies.

The winning recipient will receive a cheque for £1,000 together with a plague, which will be presented annually.

This year the committee is presenting the bursary to Erin Marlow, from Fintona, who is studying a degree in Sustainable Agricultural through Greenmount College. Erin helped in the office in the run-up to the show, is being trained to steward, and helped after the show. The committee believes Erin is a very worthy first winner.

Eighteen years ago the Thompson family, Corbo, Clogher, presented the show with a trophy in memory of their late father Arthur, who was a dedicated and loyal member of the Clogher Valley Show for a long number of years. The award is to encourage young people to help voluntarily at the show each year.

Jordan McLaren has been in-volved with the show for several years. He works locally with Fane Valley Stores but takes time off work to help with the show. Jordan is a steward in the cattle field. He helps with the preparation of the fields and tidying up in the days following the show.

The Chairman and Committee feel Jordan is very deserving of this award and truly appreciates its young helpers.

Each year Clogher Valley Show has a nominated charity and this year it is Cancer Focus NI.

In the show’s vintage section, a registration form is sent out to vintage enthusiasts each year. Instead of paying an entrance fee, they are asked to donate to the nominated charity, an arrangement which works very well.

On show day the vintage stewards also collect on the field. The volunteers from the nominated charity have sole rights to collecting in the grounds on show day.

Clogher Valley Young Farmers plays a big part in the fundraising. On show day it has a duck derby (in the river Blackwater running through the showgrounds).

After the show it has a barbecue together with entertainment, with all proceeds going to the nominated charity.

The committee feels it is a privilege to help local charities.