The Annual Social event took place in the local Ballymac Hotel in County Antrim in early November, the regular venue for the last few years. There was a good turnout of members and friends. The Ballymac lived up to its usual reputation - a first class meal, served in ideal surroundings with excellent facilities, with the club officials ensuring that everything was planned and executed to perfection. The organizational skills of President J Ross, Chairman D Harbinson, Treasurer H McKeown, Race Secretary S McAllister, and General Secretary Mrs M Lilley etc. were very much in evidence.

Chairman Douglas Harbinson, the M.C. for the evening, welcomed those present and ensured a good evening was had by all. Dancing to the wee small hours was to the sounds of ‘The Tennessee’s’.

In his address Douglas made reference to the difficulties in what has been a very trying season, the bird flu threat has even now disrupted the shows, he went on to thank all the officials and members for their assistance, understanding and cooperation in the circumstances. He also made reference to members and others who were involved in various fund raising activities to assist the club in the past year - their support is appreciated, and very necessary to maintain the success that has been associated with the club.

On the racing scene the club cash Top Prize-winner was James Courtney, a new name at the top. It was good to see James in attendance and looking well as he has had an ill spell of late. This top winning slot was well merited as James did not complete the whole programme. Jimmy is of course well known in other sporting pursuits - in the greyhound scene, as an owner, breeder and trainer, he competes with the best. D & M Lilley & Withers, the partnership that includes the hard working secretary Margaret, were a close second on the prize list. Now that their team is settled to its new location they can look forward to 2006 - competition in Glenavy will continue to be keen, as always. Others who featured on the prize list and went forward to the prize table included :- D Scott, P Johnston, G Parker & Son, S McAllister & Son, C Harbinson, E Russell, W & M McClenaghan, H Mallon, H McKeown, J Ross, D Coulter, J Lowry, D Harbinson and K Carson. This list reflects racing, there was also a considerable amount of Two-Bird winnings, Show Specials, Judge’s Specials etc handed out.

On the silverware scene, and here the club boasts a truly impressive display built up over the years, the main recipients would be:- D Scott with 5 Principal Cups, David has always been associated with consistency in National, Derby and other significant races. Top cash winner James Courtney collected 4 trophies, as did E Russell and P Johnston. President J Ross collected 3 trophies and Cecil Harbinson 2. Others at the silverware table included J Lowry, S McAllister & Son, hardworking treasurer H McKeown, D & M Lilley & Withers, H Mallon & Son and G Parker & Son. Overall Gordon must be pleased with his performances in his first year of racing with Glenavy & District. The number of trophies not won is testimonial to erratic racing in the last year. The prize cheques and silver-ware were presented by the INFC Treasurer Davy Mawhinney, a good friend of the club over the years, assisted by his wife Pamela.

The Breeder/Buyer, which helps to provide much needed funds that go towards overheads for the upkeep of the club property and is always well supported and look forward to, was next on the agenda. Gordon Parker was invited to step forward to collect his cheque for £400, as the breeder/buyer of the winning youngster in the nominated race, Skibbereen with the INFC.

As is well known, the Glenavy and Dist Golden Wing young bird race was one of the first, if not the original of its type, in the Province, and continues to be a huge success and much looked forward to event in the racing calendar. This year there was close to £6,000 prize money paid out and £4,000 in pools, a total just falling short of £10,000. The sponsor continues to be Henry Beattie & Son, the well known feed manufacturer and associates supplier. There has been an excellent working relationship over the years. The club ensures perfection in organizing the event and the Beattie involvement is vital - a very good team. Henry Beattie, his son Cyril and wife Hilary have over the years been friends and supporters of the club and this is sincerely appreciated. Cyril & Hilary as always were in attendance to present the prizes and the H Beattie & Son Perpetual Cut Glass Trophy to a representative of the over all winners M McDowell & Sons Markethill. The McDowell partnership cheque alone was for a cool £1,500.

Additional corn specials to the first ten birds have already been presented at a function at the H Beattie & Son premises. This year the race took place on the 16th August from Mallow, a distance of approx. 200 miles from Glenavy. A feature was the wide area covered by the prize-winners in a race that seemed to suit the shorter flying birds. In his address Cyril Beattie was highly complimentary to how the race was organized, in particular bringing forward of the race by a day in accordance with weather forecasts. To applause Cyril announced continued sponsorship, Hilary and Cyril presented the awards as follows:- M McDowell & Son Markethill, the H Beattie trophy prize money and pools totaling £1,856.50, J Vage & Son Dromore - £1,597.15, Thompson Bros Hills & Maze - £1,232.85, D Mawhinney & Son Dollingstown - £400, J Trotter Laurelvale - £414.80, Rafferty & Toman Gilford - £366.30, Rafferty & Toman - £200.25, D & B Lyness Lurgan - £140, J Courtney Glenavy & District £140, J Courtney - £140, J Mount Milltown - £251.42, D & B Lyness - £100, D & B Lyness - £100, M Hughes Edgartown - £251.42, M Milligan Edgartown £174.87 R Williamson Bondhill - £60, K Henderson & Son Lurgan - £253.12, J Trotter Laurelvale - £102.22, L & D Williamson Bondhill - £60, L & D Williamson - £60, Rafferty & Toman - £123.68, L & D Williamson - £45, C Duke & Sons Laurelvale - £113.20, N Weir Loughgall - £516.20. A further 12 members received smaller amounts.

And so the Glenavy & District social occasion ended on a high note, fitting for a Club although not now as strong in numbers but which a few years ago had a membership that read like a Who’s Who in the Sport. Engraved on the trophies are the names of Robert Harkness, Yarr Bros, McCartney Bros, J G Galway, J K Porter, Downey & Dowds etc, treasured members from a Golden Era.

My many thanks to Jackie Hunter who pens this annual report to perfection.