Bank staff get moo-tivated for Balmoral Show
23rd Apr 2009
Dozens of Ulster Bank staff members are getting ready to show animals at the island's largest agricultural event next month. The bank, which is principal sponsor of the Balmoral Show, says that staff members from across Northern Ireland will be actively involved in the three day agricultural extravaganza from May 13-15.
Staff showing animals include mother and daughter team Heather and Vicky Brady who work in Ulster Bank's Dungiven and Coleraine branches respectively. They are showing Jerseys, of which their family has more than 120 at its farm near Ballymoney.
Vicky Brady says that getting the animals ready for the Balmoral Show is a significant undertaking.
"Our family has been showing Jerseys at Balmoral for 10 years and we hope to show some this year. Preparing them for the event is hard work, but we're well used to it and it's hugely rewarding and a great family event that we all like to do together" she says.
"Preparation for the show involves practicing walking with the animals so they get to know their handler. The various bits of necessary equipment for the show need to be ready. Before the show the animals get shampooed, clipped and groomed about two weeks beforehand. A coat is put on each one after they are clipped to help their hair grow back with a shine to it. They day before the show they are then shampooed again to take off any dust and help the look of their hair. Then when they arrive at the show they are cleaned again to make sure they are spotless. Their leather halters need polished and the handlers uniform needs to be prepared. While at the show at least one person needs to be monitoring them at all times to make sure they are kept perfectly clean." she adds.
Other Ulster Bank staff involved in showing animals at Balmoral include Jayne Martin, whose family farm is based in Ballyblack on the Ards Peninsula. Jayne, who works in the bank's Springhill branch, is showing Holstein and Belgian Blue cattle.
"Balmoral has always been a real highlight of the year for me and the lead up to the show is very exciting. Normally we show Belgian Blues at Balmoral, but this year we're also planning to show some of our Holsteins," says Jayne.
Speaking recently about Ulster Bank's sponsorship of the Balmoral Show, Henry Elvin, the bank's head of business banking in Northern Ireland, said: "The agri sector is worth more than 200 million to the Northern Ireland economy each year and the Balmoral Show is the centre-piece in the industry's calendar".
"Ongoing innovation is critical to ensure that this vitally important sector can continue to grow and can compete ever more successfully internationally. The Balmoral Show plays an important role in this regard: allowing producers to showcase their latest products, facilitating the sharing of best practice and promoting everything Northern Ireland's agricultural industry has to offer. It is also an important community event which involves all kinds of people from right across Northern Ireland."
"We are strongly committed to backing the agri sector and to providing it with our full expertise and support. Supporting the Balmoral Show is a strong indication of that commitment," Mr Elvin adds.