Northern Ireland’s 12 local agricultural show societies need core government funding, if they are to develop into the future.
This is the strongly held view of incoming Northern Ireland Shows Association (NISA) chair, Brian Lockhart.
“We have already approached the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) on this matter.
“The response received up to this point has been to shift the focus in the direction of the Department of Communities.
“This approach is deeply disappointing. Northern Ireland’s local shows put on a series of events throughout the spring and summer months, which attract many thousands of people.
Lockhart added that “the shows attract people of all ages with family groups, which is at the very heart of all this”.
Last year (2023) saw the publication of the resilience report into the future of local shows in Northern Ireland, commissioned by former Stormont agriculture minister, Edwin Poots.
Funding
The work was undertaken by Royal Welsh Show Association chief executive, Aled Rhys Jones.
He recommended a funding model which would see DAERA commit core funding in the region of £10,000 per show association.
His report was essentially moth balled on the grounds that an effective Stormont Executive was not functioning at that time.
“The shows are not looking for significant amounts of support money. The vast bulk of the work is carried out by volunteers.
“However, many of the core costs associated with the hosting of any event have risen over the past number of years,” Jones said.
Lockhart has been chair of Newry Agricultural Show Society for the past two years. In his current roles as vice chair of NISA, he has taken the opportunity of visiting all the local agricultural shows held in Northern Ireland.
“In our own case, crowds have increased significantly over the past two years. And there are a number of factors that have contributed to making this a reality.
“Moving to a rural venue has been one of them. People associate farming and food with the countryside,” he said.
“Securing enhanced sponsorship from the local business community has also been a key factor in making Newry Show such a success.
“All the local agricultural shows taking place across Northern Ireland play a key role as very valuable shop windows for the farming and food sectors.
“And it’s important that all of this is built on for the future,” Lockhart stressed.
