CAT Finning FC fp ad.indd - Plant & Civil Engineer

out & about
Maze Venue for Next
Year’s Balmoral Show
The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society has staged its last annual
show at Balmoral, and what an impressive turn-out there was
at the event in May from both exhibitors and visitors.
Brian McCartan, Sleator Plant, with Bernard McNally & Daniel
McNally from BJ McNally Ltd on the Sleator Plant stand
Johnston Kirkpatrick of JK Developments with Davy Glenn,
Finning NI on the Finning stand
Tommy McElhinney, Donegal pictured with Stanis Dougherty on
the Northern Excavator stand
56 PLANT & CIVIL ENGINEER
Plant and machinery suppliers
and dealers were there in force,
and all were anticipating next
year’s move to the site of the
former Maze Prison; it should
allow for more and larger
demonstration and display areas
to show off their products.
Over 92% of the more than 600
members who gathered at the
King's Hall in Belfast voted in
favour of the move, with work
now beginning to transform
the site on the outskirts of
Lisburn; the new show grounds
will be named Balmoral Park.
Commented RUAS chief
executive Colin McDonald: “We
always knew that, for many,
this would be a hearts and
minds issue which is totally
understandable due to our
connection to the King's Hall
and the entire Balmoral site. I
am delighted that our members
have supported the RUAS
Council in this groundbreaking
vote. They have risen to the
occasion, demonstrated the
foresight of their predecessors,
and seized the moment.”
Traffic congestion was always
a problem at Balmoral, but the
move to the 360 acre Maze
site should ensure an end to
that. There should be space for
more than 10,000 cars at the
new Balmoral Park, in addition
to ample parking for coaches.
It should also facilitate new
features and events at the
annual show, and should attract
renewed interest from plant
and machinery exhibitors.
With plans for next year’s show
already on the drawing board,
the RUAS is consulting with
breed societies, trade exhibitors
and all other interested parties
as a matter of priority. “A
tremendous amount of work is
required to ensure that the new
site is made ready for next year’s
big event,” says Colin McDonald.
It is estimated that around
70,000 people attended this
year’s Balmoral Show, staged
once again in partnership
with Ulster Bank. Plant & Civil
Engineer was also there to
capture the show on camera…
Business is brisk
on the Moore
Concrete stand
The staff were kept
busy on the Walter
Watson stand
Balmoral Show 2pgs.indd 56 19/07/2012 11:55