Ballygowan Vintage Club

The Ballygowan vintage club was formed in the winter of 1986/87; in September 1987 we held our first annual rally. Since then our annual rally has been held on the third Saturday in September. Recently the rallies have been themed; in 2007 the theme was “The Nuffield tractor”, in 2008 “The four-wheel drive” tractor and in 2009 the theme is “The Perkins engine”. While our prime objective is the encouragement of the preservation of old machinery by individuals and its display to the general public we disburse surplus funds to charities and good causes. As a non-profit making association no individual or member is permitted to benefit personally from any income received by the club.

Our name was carefully chosen to be inclusive of all who have an interest in vintage equipment and machinery of all types. Since we are at the heart of a farming community vintage farm machinery features prominently at rallies but on occasions cars have equalled if not out numbered tractors at our shows. In particular cars and motorcycles are the most numerous vehicles at the special displays organised by the club. We organise an annual ploughing match with classes for trail, hydraulic and horse ploughs.

We have always been a small club but despite few members we have managed to put on enjoyable annual rallies and ploughing matches. Some of the rallies have seen the turnout of tractors in such numbers that the allocated space has had to be trebled.

New members are always welcome. You don’t have to have a vintage vehicle to be a club member just an interest in old vehicles and in keeping
local events live.

At the AGM in February 2009 our fourth chairman since the clubs formation was elected – John Scott. The secretary is Michael Donnelly and he or our previous chairman now treasurer Ruthy Craig can be approached for information about the club.