INFC News Update 2017 –

The 67th AGM of the Irish National Flying Club was held in the Lagan Valley Leisure Plex on Saturday, 25th February. The President, David Black, after accepting a few apologies asked the members to stand for a minute’s silence in respect for those members who had died during the past year.The secretary Trevor Topping was invited to read the minutes of the previous AGM which were passed on a show of hands. The Convoyer’s race reports were on the table and available to the members. There were no questions raised in respect of the reports. The Secretary then gave his report.Secretary’s Report for the 2016 season.

“On behalf of the members I thank the following sponsors for the 2016 season Bamford’s Top Flight, Frazer’s Animal Feeds, H. Beattie & Son and Sawyers & Co. Estate Agents also to the BHW with a discount on publishing rates for race results.
The sponsor’s special prizes are greatly appreciated by all the club members.

The club had a successful seasons racing with some races proving challenging and St. Allouestre King’s Cup very disappointing. Thanks to race advisors David Black, Tom Marshall and Noel Shiels who had poor weather to deal with and had to make some difficult decisions.

Ronnie Johnston arranged the annual prize distribution to a very high standard once again in November. The awards were presented by out-going President Eugene Fitzgerald and William Butler ISRF treasurer. I congratulate all National winners and prize winners in the 2016 season.

I wish to thank the committees of the East Down Combine and Ulster Federation for assistance with transport during the 2016 season. On behalf of the members I wish to thank all of those committee members and club members who helped at the race markings, clock settings and checking’s and race controllers. Jim McCrory convoyer, Vincent and Brian McCrory for their great work and assistance and sometimes had to cope with challenging conditions, thank you.
I personally thank the officials, committee members, press officers and any members who helped me during the past season. I also wish Mr. David Mawhinney club treasurer for thirty years well in his retirement and wish to thank David for all his help and assistance over the past years.

The 2017 season is fast approaching and I appeal for help at the marking centre if only for a few hours as those members of the committee who faithfully attend the race marking are struggling to cope.
The single bird challenge entries have to be returned before 17th March.

I hope we all have a successful 2017 season.”

Annual Accounts: No questions had been asked prior to the meeting regarding the annual accounts and Auditor Ron McKelvey presented the Auditors report to the members.

Monies paid out to the membership amounted to a massive £118,060 and there were 17,567 birds entered in the six races. The Irish National Flying Clubs accounts were in a very healthy state and the Auditor thanked Trevor and David for their assistance in the preparation of the accounts.

Election of Officers: All offices were declared vacant and President David Black conducted the election.

Officers for 2017 are: Patron Ronnie Johnston, President David Black, Senior Vice-President Clifford Browne, Junior Vice-President Wesley Sawyers, Chairman Leonard McCavery, Secretary Trevor Topping, Treasurer vacant, Auditor Ron McKelvey, Press Officer Brendan McLoughlin.

INFC Management Committee 2017: RPRA representatives: G McDowell Kells, G Delaney Dromore, W Reynolds Ballymena, P Dunlop Edgarstown, C O’Hare Ballyholland, J Serplus, Laurelvale, P Smith Individual, R Duddy, Ballyclare, A Thompson Ballyclare, C Lyons Hillsborough & Maze, D Suitters Doagh, T Griffith Eastway, E McGimpsey Ards, N Lewis Doagh, A Kelly Individual; INFC Appeals Committee: W Knowles Kingsmoss, J Burrows Eastway, W Kelly St Pauls:

IHU representatives: L McCavery Annalong, B McLoughlin Annalong, G Gaw, East End, T Marshall Newtownbreda, B Marshall Newtownbreda, M Irvine Tyrella, R Trimble Ballylesson, P McKeown Dundalk, B O’Leary Cork, D Coleman Castlebellingham, R Topping Ballynahinch: INFC Appeals Committee representatives: J Albert Ballylesson, H Patton East End, M Roche Blanchardstown.
Race Advisers: D Black Dromara, T Marshall Newtownbreda, N Shiels Skerries.

Motions: There were no motions put before the meeting.

INFC Charity Show report: Samuel Briggs, the Show secretary was unable to attend the AGM as he was in England on RPRA business but submitted the INFC Charity Show report in writing. There were 25 trade stands in attendance and the numbers attending were up on the previous year. Samuel thanked Helen and Bertie Marshall for the work they do with the raffle which saw an increase from 2016. The Charity Auction saw £6,323 raised for 35 pigeons. He thanked all who had helped in any way to make the Show a success. The Show supports local charities and £15,500 will be presented to various charities. The 2017 Show will be held on Saturday 2nd December.

INFC Race programme 2017: Skibbereen Old Bird Inland National Tuesday 23rd May; Sennen Cove Yearling National Wednesday 7th June; Grand National Kings Cup St Allouestre Friday 30th June; Friendship National Quimper Friday 7th July; Penzance Young Bird National Wednesday 6th September; Skibbereen Young Bird National Saturday 16th September:

At the committee meeting that followed the AGM, the committee decided to give £1000 to each of the 4 channel races to be divided into 10 prizes of £100 for a Single Bird Nom in each of these races.

Brendan McLoughlin
INFC Press Officer

PS – Entries for the Single Bird Challenge to be with Co-ordinator David Black by 17/03/17.

CLICK HERE!  New-member-form-2017   Closing date for membership is 12th April 2017.
1st December 2017 – INFC Dinner & Presentation, Stormont Hotel, Belfast2nd December 2017  – INFC Charity Show, Lisburn, Co Antrim
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About the author

Willie Reynolds

Covering the sport in Ireland for several years, scribe for both BHW & RP and a number of local newspapers including the News Letter (Farming Life Supplement) each Wednesday. Secretary of Ballymena & District for a number of years and currently PO for the Mighty NIPA & INFC. Watch out for the many articles/news items penned by HOMER.

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