AS there are so many Covid-19 restrictions in place at the local mart this year, Joan Cunningham reverted to the original route from the Lisburn Road for last Saturday’s 14th version of the Saintfield Christmas Charity Santa Ride.

Gordon Andrews and Prime Shine car wash and valeting services kindly closed for the day to facilitate the ride which started at their premises at 11am with a mulled wine and minced pie reception. To get everyone into festive humour, there were Christmas carols and music playing in the background. Sport horse breeder, journalist and racing fan Ruth Loney judged the best-dressed Santa competition.

At noon, on a beautiful, sunny day, the gathered Santas mounted up for the ride which was led by Joan and her companion at the head of the ride since its inception, the now 85-year-old Albert Lowry.

The ‘Real Santa’ in his magnificent carriage joined the ride at the top of the old Grand Jury Road and led the way to Saintfield. Arriving at the Christmas tree in the centre of the town, the ‘Real Santa’ alighted from his carriage and walked up the street calling out and waving to the children – while remaining socially distanced of course!

“BBC’S Hugo Duncan kept everyone in stitches while Box Car Brian and Gerard Dornan sang some beautiful Christmas songs,” reported Joan who added: “I would like to thank all the volunteers and sponsors, the media and any other person who helped in any way to make the day such a fantastic success.

“All money raised will go to the Pius Kulama Ugandan Project. Thank you so very much to everyone who contributed and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.”

FARRIERS on the Farrier Upskilling Programme achieved a 100% pass rate in their recent Worshipful Company of Farriers Diploma (DipWCF) assessment which was completed recently at the Enniskillen Campus of the College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprises (CAFRE).

During the assessment days, David Verdon, Co Sligo, Caolan Kelly, Portadown, Paul Donnelly, Ballymoney, James O’Driscoll, Co Cork, Cecil Fitzgerald, Co Galway and Adrian Sheridan, Co Kildare were required to make and apply shoes, take a theory exam, complete an oral assessment and produce a portfolio

of handmade shoes.

The Farriery Upskilling Programme at Enniskillen Campus is for working farriers, allowing them gain their DipWCF, which is taught, part-time, by Martin Payne AWCF (Associateship of the Worshipful Company of Farriers) and Paul Duddy AWCF. The course is designed to produce qualified professional farriers who are competent in all aspects of hoof care including the selection, fit and application of horseshoes. For further information please visit the CAFRE website: https://www.cafre.ac.uk/business-courses/farriery-upskilling-programme/.