This year’s Show, which is Northern Ireland’s largest agri-food event, takes place from Wednesday 15 May-Saturday 18 May, and is the fifth year that PCI’s Dromore Presbytery - one of Church’s 19 local regional bodies - has had a presence at the show since 2014.
Rev Kenny Hanna of Second Dromara Presbyterian Church, who helped to organise the stand, said that every one of all faiths and none are welcome to visit. “PCI has traditionally drawn much of its strength from rural communities and for many generations of Presbyterians have attended Ireland’s agricultural fairs and shows – Balmoral included.
“Since we first came to Balmoral, we have been delighted by the warm response we have received, as we welcomed folk from all over. Our Presbytery actually takes in the show grounds at Maze, but that isn’t the main reason that we come each year.
“We are very much a rural presbytery and our congregations are home to many rural families and farming folk, so it is important for us that we have a presence at the show, not only offering hospitality, but also a compassionate listening ear,” he said.
.JPG.aspx?width=300&height=199)
With face painting, tea, coffee and light refreshments, along with space to rest weary legs and just chat, Mr Hanna said that there would also be literature available to signpost farming families and the wider rural community to help if it is needed.
“Balmoral is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the best of Northern Ireland farming and rural life. Farmers and farming families, however, continue live with the unique pressures that come with life in the countryside, which in recent years has been added to by the uncertainty around of Brexit.
“As we have said before, as a rural presbytery we want to continue to show our support for farming communities and bring an opportunity to show God’s love, through Jesus who died for us, to those who work on the land and in the rural economy. We are also hear to listen, and if needs be to pray,” Mr Hanna said.
The Presbytery’s stand, EK28 (which is listed as ‘Presbyterian Church in Ireland (Dromore Presbytery)’) is located in the Eikon Exhibition Centre, which is situated between the cattle tents and the fun fair.
As people head for the Balmoral Show, every fortnight you can read ‘Good News For the Countryside’, where people from a farming background, or who have a heart for the countryside, offer a personal reflection on faith and rural life. The column first appears in Farming Life and then as a blog on this website. You can read the blogs in this series here.