FarmWeek

There was a superb turnout of tractor, both young and old, which came from across the Ards Peninsula last Saturday for the Ballywalter Presbyterian Church tractor run. Darryl Armitage popped along to Ballywalter to capture some photographs and video from the run. His videos from this week will be published online over the coming week, so keep an eye out for them too. You can also view photographs from the event here.

Bygone Days: The old windmill at Portaferry continues to be a witness to history

Some weeks ago I popped down to the Ards Peninsula to attend the St Columba’s College tractor run down in Portaferry. During my visit I choose to make my way to Windmill Road in the town to shoot a video of the tractors coming up the hill. On top of the hill is of course the old windmill stump, which is also known as Tullyboard Windmill. When the windmill was in its heyday, it formed a vast network of 50 windmills across the Ards peninsula, known locally as the Little Holland of Northern Ireland. The windmills were largely used for flax scutching and grinding grain for flour. The Tullyboard windmill was originally built in 1771 by the Savage family and was in use for over a century before it was destroyed in a fire on Christmas 1878. If you have a video that you'd like to share, email to [email protected]. You can find more of our videos https://www.dailymotion.com/farminglife.

Watch: Traction Engine Club of Ulster tractor drive at Killymurris

Our thanks to John McNicholl who has kindly shared this video with us. The video is of the Traction Engine Club of Ulster tractor drive at Killymurris just outside Ballymena, Co Antrim, last weekend. If you have a video that you'd like to share, email to [email protected] You can find more of our videos https://www.dailymotion.com/farminglife.

Watch: Resurrecting the call of the elusive Corncrake on Rathlin Island

In our second video Darryl Armitage continues his chat with Anne Guichard, a conservation officer with RSPB Northern Ireland, about the efforts which are ongoing to bring the elusive Corncrake bird back to the province. This endangered species faced extinction in Northern Ireland in the 1990s. However, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Giving Corncrake a Home project from RSPB NI, these birds made a triumphant return to Rathlin Island in 2014. The project, which has been running for over a decade, continues to play a crucial role in saving the red-listed species. The success of the Corncrake returning each year is a testament to the dedication and passion of the community, farmers, volunteers and RSPB NI in their collective efforts to secure a future for the Corncrake on Rathlin Island.

Watch: Resurrecting the call of the elusive Corncrake on Rathlin Island

Darryl Armitage spoke with Anne Guichard, a conservation officer with RSPB Northern Ireland, about the efforts which are ongoing to bring the elusive Corncrake bird back to the province. This endangered species faced extinction in Northern Ireland in the 1990s. However, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Giving Corncrake a Home project from RSPB NI, these birds made a triumphant return to Rathlin Island in 2014. The project, which has been running for over a decade, continues to play a crucial role in saving the red-listed species. The success of the Corncrake returning each year is a testament to the dedication and passion of the community, farmers, volunteers and RSPB NI in their collective efforts to secure a future for the Corncrake on Rathlin Island.

More tractors arriving for the St Columba's College tractor run at Portaferry, Co Down

Last Friday evening was perfect for a spin out on the tractor and that is exactly what happened down the Ards Peninsula when St Columba’s College in the Co Down town held their tractor run. Tractors from across the Ards Peninsula made the trek down to Portaferry to support the tractor run. Darryl Armitage was on hand to capture a series of videos from the tractor run. In this video we see more of the tractors arriving ahead of the run. You can find more of our videos at https://www.dailymotion.com/farminglife.

St Columba's College, Portaferry, Co Down, tractor run

Last Friday evening was perfect for a spin out on the tractor and that is exactly what happened down the Ards Peninsula when St Columba’s College in the Co Down town held their tractor run. Tractors from across the Ards Peninsula made the trek down to Portaferry to support the tractor run. Darryl Armitage was on hand to capture a series of videos from the tractor run. In this video we see some of the tractors arriving ahead of the run. You can find more of our videos at https://www.dailymotion.com/farminglife.

Watch: R J Wilson planting potatoes at Glasker, Co Down

Our thanks to Kenneth Brown for sharing another video with us. This video shows R J Wilson planting potatoes at Glasker last week with a Grimme planter. If you have a video that you would like to share get in touch via [email protected].

Retro: 34 photographs from the 2002 Ballymena Show from the Farming Life archives

We have a superb selection of old photographs which come from the Farming Life archives. These photographs, there are 34 in total, were taken at the Ballymena Show back in 2002, so they are 22 years old. We were wondering if any of our readers might be able to identify those in the photographs. Have a look through this selection and let us know, drop us a comment, or email [email protected]. In this weeks and months, we hope to bring regular Retro pictures for readers to enjoy.

Watch: Take a dander around Nugent’s Wood’s bluebells down at Portaferry

Did you know, Nugent's Wood, Portaferry, Co Down, is also known as the Bluebell Wood? Last week during the fine sunny weather that we were having Darryl Armitage nipped down to Portaferry to capture the bluebells at Nugent's Wood. Reminding us of the fleeting beauty of nature, Bluebell season doesn't last too long so don't miss your chance to see them and breath in the delicate scent at Nugent's Wood. Bluebells Facts Almost half the world's bluebells are found in the UK – they’re relatively rare elsewhere. It's against the law to intentionally pick, uproot or destroy bluebells. Bluebell colonies take a long time to establish – around five to seven years from seed to flower. Bluebells can take years to recover after footfall damage. If a bluebell’s leaves are crushed, they die back from lack of food because they can no longer photosynthesise. If you plant bluebells in your garden, make sure you're planting the English bluebell, not the Spanish version. The Spanish species is a more vigorous plant and could outcompete the UK's native flower.

Watch: Meet the Valais Blacknose – possibly the prettiest sheep at Balmoral 2024

We got to meet what are probably the prettiest sheep at Balmoral 2024 – the Valais Blacknose. The Valais Blacknose, (German: Walliser Schwarznasenschaf), is a breed of domestic sheep originating in the Valais region of Switzerland. It is a dual-purpose breed, raised both for meat and for wool. The breed originates in the mountains of the canton of Valais – from which its name derives – and of the Bernese Oberland. It is documented as far back as the fifteenth century, but the present German name was not used before 1884; the breed standard dates from 1962. In the past there was some cross-breeding with imported sheep: in the nineteenth century with Bergamasca and Cotswold stock, and in the twentieth century with the Southdown. Joanne Knox went along to meet the Valais Blacknose at the show.

Still very early days here at Ballyclare for the Ballyeaston Vintage Club tractor gathering in the Square. Organises tell me that by 11am it should be packed. Time for quick coffee and then back to see who else has arrived

Watch: The Newry Hunt Point to Point is taking place this Saturday (May 18) at Taylorstown on the Thompson family farm. The first race at 2pm. Here's a video about tomorrow's races

We caught up with Linton and Robinson Environmental at this year's Balmoral Show. Why not share your videos and photos from the show – email them in to [email protected] or [email protected]. You can also share them via on Facebook messenger.

Watch: Hillsborough Young Farmers’ Club celebrate 90th anniversary

Hillsborough Young Farmers’ Club recently had a brilliant night celebrating a significant milestone of 90 years of their club at The Burrendale Hotel. Everyone enjoyed a three-course meal before they heard from the guest speakers. Some fantastic prizes were up for grabs in the raffle before they danced the night away. Check out this selection of photographs from the 90th anniversary of Hillsborough Young Farmers’ Club.