HUGO Duncan delighted and entertained the crowd at the Mary Gray Festival last weekend in Newtownstewart, recording his radio show where he interviewed volunteers and members of the crowd. Hugo's show will be aired this Sunday afternoon, July 8.
A large attendance of vintage vehicles put on an excellent display with all types of tractors, cars, jeeps and even a fire engine going on the road run. The static engines purred away pumping and humming while their owners enjoyed the rest of the activities and talking to old friends.
Wesley Henry hooked up a team of horses and ploughed the afternoon away with Gerald Thompson reaping and winching the hay onto an old hay cart. William and Andrew McKean brought their thresher and put on an excellent demonstration.
Entertainment on the day was provided by the Blue Thistle Scottish Dancers, Newtownstewart District Orange Male Voice Choir, Mary Gray Old Time Dancers, Country Sensations, Gorticlare Pipe Band as well as local singing acts entertaining the crowd all afternoon.
The committe warmly welcomed four times world drumming champion and Champion of Champions, John Scullion who displayed his world class drumming skills. Strawhill Voluntary Pipe Band and Newtownstewart Red Hand Defenders led the fancy dress parade into the arena.
The sheep dog trials attracted a large audience as three shepherds put their dogs through their paces. A team braved the rain and built the Ferguson tractor as the crowd watched in anticipation with the collection made at the arena going to Leukaemia Research.
Robert Canders, a local referee/coach, took charge of a seven-a-side football match between Gortin and Newtownstewart, with the Gortin team being declared the winner.
The cattle judging of four beef cattle supplied by Jack and Gordon McFarland was won by Neil McIlwaine and David Hunter took second place. Roy Allison came first in 'Guessing the Weight' of the pigs with Noel Badger being placed second. The pigs for the event were supplied by Douglas A Baxter, Killymore.
Hugo's cream bun competition was won by Norman Monteith, Newtownstewart beating seven other contestants by eating five buns.
The Glamorous Granny was won by Edna McFarland and she was presented with a posy of flowers from Ann Baxter.
Winners of the Bonny Baby competition were: Under two years - 1st Amy Patterson; 2nd Thomas Adams; 3rd Gareth Monaghan. Over two years - 1st Lauren McCann; 2nd Matthew Armstrong; 3rd Mollie Kee/Christopher Monaghan.
The Flower Arranging class was judged by Don McKelvey from Castlederg with the winners as follows:
Adair Cup - 1st Pearl Baxter; 2nd Iris Baxter; 3rd Iris Baxter. Small Exhibit - 1st Pearl Baxter; 2nd Caroline Allison. Any Flowering Plant - 1st Lily Millar; 2nd Dot Allison. Any Foliage Plant - 1st Dot Allison; 2nd Lily Millar.
The wonderful Children's Craft Section display winners were:
Flowers in a Jug - 1st Chloe Kee; 2nd Scott McNally; 3rd Amber McFarland. Posy in an Eggcup - 1st Samantha Monaghan; 2nd Amber McFarland. Computerised Art - 1st Amber McFarland; 2nd Alex Reid.
Drawing of Festival Activities - 1st Claire Beattie; 2nd Samantha Monaghan; 3rd Amber McFarland.
A large entry was received in the home produced craft competition and was judged by Olive Kane who had very difficult decisions to make as all classes had beautiful craft displays of a very high standard. Class winners were as follows:
Black Work Class: 1st Francis Godfrey; 2nd Isobel Scott; 3rd Pam Mayers/Iris Baxter.
Knitting Class: 1st Angela Porter; 2nd Mary Baxter; 3rd Rosemary Crawford.
Patchwork Class: 1st Francis Godfrey; 2nd Irish Baxter; 3rd Margaret Magee.
Hand Crocheting: 1st Ann Sinclair; 2nd Jean Crawford; 3rd Jenny Dickson/Pearl Jack.
Stump Work: 1st Iris Baxter; 2nd Pearl Jack.
Mountmellick: 1st Jean Crawford.
Large Home Produced Craft: 1st Isobel Scott; 2nd Jean Crawford; 3rd Pearl Jack / Janet Rainey / Elaine Heatherington.
Small Home Produced Craft: 1st Jenny Dickson; 2nd Margaret Magee; 3rd Pearl Jack/Jennie Dickson.
The Dog Show was judged by local vets Sandy and Fiona from Strule Vets, Newtownstewart with the winners as follows:
1st Holly - owner Jean Black; 1st Bruno - owner Julie McKelvey; 2nd Bruno - owner Simon Pratt; 2nd Bonnie - owner James McKelvey; 2nd Boxer - owner Julie McKelvey; 3rd Pippin - owner Michael Barrett; 3rd Jack - owner Naomi Campbell; 3rd Max; owner Katherine Catterson.
A large group of young people took part in the childrens' games and the winners were awarded prizes by Wendy McNamee and Joan Monaghan. The Round Bale competition and Digger Antics proved a big success with all the contestants who entered.
