Homer's Odyssey - 30/01/09

[willie reynolds]

Both the NIPA and Irish Nat FC have committee meetings arranged for this week and a lot of information will be available next week regarding business for the new racing season and the preparation for the various AGM’s. Blackpool was the usual mad rush and we had good support at both Blackpool Football Club and the Cliffs Hotel meeting a lot of old friends and many new ones. Having to leave early on Sunday we were not able to spend a lot of time at the show itself but it was very busy on Sunday morning. All in all an excellent weekend despite a mix up and not able to attend the Tower Ballroom presentation on Saturday night as planned, we did however meet one of the top stars racing the distance having met him at this function the season previous. The weather was reasonable as well, but as usual it was good to get back home before midnight on Sunday.

RJ Auctions: The well known Ballynahinch partnership of R & T Quinn have had to take a heart breaking decision this week – all the pigeons must be sold. Rick has been advised by a specialist that keeping pigeons is badly effecting his health and they must be sold. This is a major shock as Ricky had already been planning for 2009. He had purchased two pair of Walter Docx direct and a pair of De Klaks from Ponderosa. Frank Tasker had sent him some stunning Casaerts and Willy Thas pigeons. The loft has recorded some top performances including 1st Sect & 2nd Open Sennen Cove Classic and 1st Sect & 2nd Open Fermoy. Ricky won the Combine 2 years in succession from the INFC Hens Nat finishing 7th & 24th Open. One of the lofts stars is a Dk Ch hen winner of 24th Open EDC Portland OB Derby and 4th Open EDC Lamballe OB Derby. The birds will be sold in a 2 Part Clearance Sale – Monday 9th February and Wednesday 11th February, both in Newtownbreda Clubrooms at 7.30pm with birds on view from 6.30pm. For Details Tel RJ: (028) 90 483625. To view birds Tel Ricky: 07801 132623. HELP – Lost while on loan. Blue Pied (h) GB05D 32715. Tel Ronnie Johnston (028) 90 483625.

Joe & Mark Brown from Dollingstown will offer a team of first class youngsters, prices on the pen as last year. Venue Glenavy on Saturday 14th February starting at 2.30pm, watch for advert in the British Homing World. Satisfaction Assured! Tel: Joe Brown (028) 38 328293, Mobile: 07709 077266.

Martin Graham (Ballymena & District) will have young birds for sale for the first time, his birds are the best of Norman Thompson (Walkingshaw), Jackie Waring (Lisburn) and his own Frans Van Wildemeersch (Fletcher & Son). These birds are tested through to France, his recent results include 1st Sect & 2nd Open NIPA Lamballe OB Nat 2003 and 2nd Sect & 4th Open NIPA St Malo OB Nat 2008. Young Birds £45 each or Kits of 6 for £250. First round available from the stock birds and race team. Tel: (028) 25 637929, Mobile: 07835 099155.

Glenavy & District HPS: Gold Wing Race sponsored by H Beattie & Son will go ahead as before in 2009, rings will be available from 4th January. Contact Gordon Parker Tel: 07734 235965, John Withers Tel: 07752 430972, or H Beattie & Son Tel: (028) 38 840486. Race details and prizes later.

The New North Flying Club: As the above club has not been in operation over the past seven years and even before that the membership was gradually decreasing every year, it has been decided to have a meeting of anyone with an interest. The Mid Antrim Combine have kindly let us have a short meeting before their Annual General Meeting at 8.00 pm on Wednesday 18th March 2009 in the Harryville HPS Clubroom, Antrim Road, Ballymena. With so many races now in the NIPA and INFC it appears there is no need for this organization so a decision will have to be made on it’s existence. Also, the Cups and whatever money is in the Bank Account. If anyone has an opinion on what should be done please attend this meeting.

Local club AGM dates include Ballymena & District HPS on Monday 9th February, Harryville HPS on Wednesday 18th February and Kells & District HPS on Thursday 19th February. Ballymena & District HPS: Will run a Ring Nomination YB Race during 2009 open only to lofts who compete in the Mid Antrim Combine. More info later.

Springvale Social: Watch out for the new season Gold Ring Race to be flown in the NIPA Inland YB Nat open to all lofts in the NIPA Sections B & C covering all the top lofts in the hot bed of Mid & East Antrim. Rings at £20 each will be available in early January. RPRA Licence No. IR/02-09. Contact any of the following – Victor Montgomery Tel: 93-340021, Robert Scott Tel: 93-322798, Campbell McGrugan Tel: 93-340981 or Michael Fasciolo Tel: 07854 910228. Rings will be available from early January 2009.

The 64th Annual General Meeting of the NIPA will be held in the Protestant Hall, Glenavy on Saturday 14th February 2009 starting at 2.00pm sharp. Accounts are to follow as will the Secretary’s Report. The Resolutions are self explanatory they are an attempt to explain to the members what is, the proper procedure. If you need any further clarification please do not hesitate and contact Secretary Fred Russell.

Resolutions Submitted by the N.I.P.A. Committees

1. New Rule 7A
If any member has a complaint concerning the NIPA they must take it to their club in the first instance. If the majority in the club support their complaint, the club will lodge the complaint with the NIPA on their behalf. This will then be considered at the next and following meeting of the Committee. Only complaints received in writing will be considered.

2. New Rule 11B
On the day of liberation in the Old Bird French National all members or their representative must confirm the time of their arrival by telephone to their centre official or NIPA office within one hour.

3. New Rule 22A
Any member requesting permission to race mark and have and have their clocks ETS set and checked at an alternative centre must make an application in writing each year before racing commences, giving the reason for their request.

4. New Rule 49B
The results in one club only may be included in any claim for NIPA trophies.

5. Delete existing Rule 43B and replace with New Rule 43B. All clubs must submit their race result to the NIPA office by Email, fax or hand delivery within three days of the race being flown. Late results will not be included in the official results.

6. Confirmation of the results with the workings of the first six velocities. Verification cards, dials, ETS printouts and official result form giving the number of members and birds competing with the number of crates sent and also the first 18 positions with members IR number and name must be forwarded via the transporter on the following race marking night. This result must also contain confirmation of the wining pigeon being confirmed at club level.

7. New Rule
In National Classic championship and all NIPA Open Races Winners will be drug tested by feather within one week. Refusal to allow a test will mean automatic disqualification and mat entail suspension.

8. New Rule 18A
When a member uses E.T.S. A signed copy of the assignment print out must be in the hands of the Club Secretary 14 days before racing commences for old birds and young birds respectively.

Willie Reynolds
NIPA - Press Officer
Tel/Fax (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 079396 84876
E-mail: reynoldshomer@aol.com
http://www.pigeonnetwork.com