On Friday 19th December 2025, the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society was proud to present four awards for outstanding dedication and long service to agriculture at their Christmas Council Lunch.
David McClurg and the Fleming Family were presented with Gold Society Awards for over 50 years of service as exhibitors at Balmoral Show. Also celebrated on the day, Walter Thompson and Eugene McVeigh were recognised for over 40 years of service as employees on renowned local farms.
David McClurg from Crossgar receives his Gold Society Award from RUAS President John Henning OBE for 69 years of service as an exhibitor. From early memories of helping his father successfully show Clydesdales at the Balmoral Show to getting his first tastes of success in the late 1960s with Jersey cattle, David has always been a notable exhibitor. His enduring commitment and lifelong dedication to breeding, showing, and developing animals of the highest quality stand as a testament to his deep-rooted passion for agriculture and the equestrian world.
RUAS President John Henning OBE presents the Fleming Family from Seaforde with their Gold Society Award in recognition of 50 years’ service as exhibitors at the Balmoral Show. Since their purchase of an unassuming Jersey cow in 1970, the Fleming Family have grown their Potterswalls herd to be an instantly recognisable name in the Jersey showing circuit. Their showing career commenced in 1973, when Potterswalls Trica won her class of 17 entries at Antrim Show, igniting a passion for breeding and showing Jerseys that now spans three generations of the same family. Today, the Potterswalls herd continues to push the boundaries for both production and type.
RUAS President John Henning OBE congratulates Walter Thompson from Ballywalter on 47 years of employment with Dunleath Estates Limited as their Stockperson. Initially employed by the Company’s Kearney Farm in Portaferry, Walter joined the team in January 1977 and was responsible for the day-to-day tasks of the 300-acre farm under the management of the late Farm Manager, Jack Harris. In 2002 when the farm was sold, Walter was transferred to Ballywalter Park Farm again as a stockman. Not only was Walter an extremely dedicated member of the team but to his credit, was never late for work in his 47 years of employment.
Eugene McVeigh from Poyntzpass was presented with a Long Service Award in recognition of 45 years as Farm Operation Manager at Action House Farm by RUAS President John Henning OBE. Since he began his career in 1980 Eugene’s roles on the farm were many and varied, but he quickly distinguished himself as a highly capable ploughman, a skilled sprayer operator and more recently as manager of the farm’s composting operation. The Best family were proud to acknowledge Eugene’s outstanding contribution not only to Acton House Farm, but also to the wider farming community. His skill, dedication, and generosity have left a lasting impact on all who have worked with him.
