Plans are progressing within Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) potato and vegetable committees and Northern Ireland (NI) fruit growers/UFU subgroup, for Balmoral Show exhibits in the Healthy Horticulture Marquee. It’s reported that Mighty Spud is jumping for joy with the excitement of being allowed out again to greet visitors young and old within and around the Healthy Horticulture marquee area.
The UFU potato, vegetable and apple growers in partnership with Parful Produce by VegNI, Horticulture Forum NI and supported by Royal Ulster Agriculture Society (RUAS), the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme, have teamed up with local food demonstrator and chef Mollie Cunningham owner of Ballytrim Pantry.
New for 2022 the cookery theatre will be centre stage within the Healthy Horticulture Marquee. Mollie has developed a bespoke and exciting array of recipes that will include seasonal vegetables, mushrooms, apples, soft fruits, salads/herbs and potatoes all guaranteed to tantalise visitor taste buds. A timetable will be issued with information each day including cookery demonstration times, chats with growers, and conversations along the way with special guests including Mighty Spud who is insistent only he has the secret recipe for champ Mighty Spud style.
Local producers supported by CAFRE staff over the four days will also be demonstrating the art of pruning apple trees, creating and crafting beautiful flower arrangements with ease, plus sharing tips for planting up that perfect summer container or hanging basket. New horticulture production technologies will be on display by CAFRE, and a daily timetable will be displayed detailing who, when and where to find out what is happening within horticulture. Look out for the notice boards outside the marquee.
Children’s activities for 2022 will include a knowledge trail with prizes for all on completion and the opportunity to pot up a vegetable plant for taking home. Vegetable plants within the marquee and for kids’ activities have been kindly provided by UFU vegetable/RUAS horticulture committee member Trevor Gabbie. All displays within the horticulture marquee have been kindly donated by local professional growers who will be present on site to discuss the importance of horticulture for NI and explain how the consumer and public can make better informed choices by supporting local.
Photo caption: UFU veg vice chair Roy Lyttle and chair Adrian McGowan at the launch of Parful Produce at Balmoral Show 2021.
