On Saturday 26th May Clogherny, Seskinore and Drumnakilly Churches will be holding their annual Vintage Show, at Omagh Showgrounds. This is the 5th year the show has been held. It originated in the fields around Clogherny church but in recent years has moved to the Omagh Showgrounds on Gillygooley Road which has led to an increase in visitors. As in previous years they are hoping to attract a large number of Vintage cars and tractors as well as machinery, and the focus of the day will be a Vehicle run for both vintage and modern vehicles leaving the Showgrounds at 2pm.
However even if you have no interest in Vintage Vehicles there is much to attract all ages and interests with a number of sideshows and events for the children including a bouncy assault course, pony and trap rides, hook the ducks, a digger challenge and a number of other side shows. There will even be a chance to throw wet sponges at the Rector who will be imprisoned in the stocks for most of the day! Two competitions will be running: local school children have been designing posters depicting vehicles from both the past and the future; these will be displayed on the day, and local women’s groups will be baking and decorating cakes with the theme “Alzheimers”. There will also be a number of craft stalls, and entertainment featuring local artists. A cake stall, refreshments stall and a barbecue will also operate throughout the day. At 3pm there will be an auction of donated good quality goods, followed by a raffle to end the show.
One of the main reasons for holding the Show is to raise money not only for the church Rectory Fund but also for a local worthy charity, and this year the organizing committee have been working in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Society and a third of the money raised from the show will be donated to them. Rev Andy Heber, Rector of the 3 churches commented: “ We had little hesitation in choosing the Alzheimer’s Society as our designated charity this year. Our own church community includes a number of people affected by the ravages of dementia and nearly every family will know someone in need of care and support. The invaluable and pioneering work being undertaken by the Alzheimer’s Society, particularly within Omagh, through their volunteer visitors and Dementia Café which meets in the Silver Birch Hotel, we felt really deserved our support and greater publicity, so we are delighted to be raising money for them and hopefully also their profile this year.”
The Vintage Show will run between 11am and 4pm on Saturday 20th May at the Showgrounds on Gillygooley Road, near the old cinema. Entry to the show for anyone wishing to come costs £5, with children admitted free. Registration for show Vehicles and the Vehicle run costs £10 and all those registering will receive a free lunch ticket and a plaque. If anyone would like to bring a craft stall these also cost £10 and can be registered by ringing the Rector Rev Andy Heber on 028 80758570.
As ever the success of the event will depend on the weather, therefore the organisers and entire church community are all praying that the sun shines that day. Do come along and enjoy the fun as well as supporting the churches and the Alzheimer’s Society. If you would like to be involve in the show please ring Andy on 028 80758570 and for more information about the local support available for those affected by Alzheimer’s please ring the Dementia Support Worker for Omagh Julie-Anne Casson on 07889 604702.
