Homer's Odyssey - 27/02/09

[willie reynolds]

The 64th Annual General Meeting of the NIPA was held in Glenavy on Saturday an added attraction was a sale for Joe & Mark Brown from Dollingstown who sold their complete team of young birds in under 8 minutes, must be the quickest ever sale held in Glenavy. The lads wish to thank all fanciers who gave support and wish them all the very best with the stock purchased. On the meeting itself I though a few less were in attendance but still represented most clubs across Northern Ireland. All items on the agenda passed the only item to fail was confirming the arrival from France within one hour of timing in, this was a fair enough idea but the members were not interested at this time. Drug testing will be carried out on all the top winners and later this week a deputation from the RPRA will visit the Crumlin based Randox Company to see how this is carried out and report back to Council. Prizes have been frozen for birdage charges for the fourth season on the trot the Race Crates will be £9 for all races Inland and Cross Channel. The membership fee is increased by £1 lifting it to £15 and the Club fee remains at £21. Almost all the officials were returned to office with Billy Seaton from Ligoniel & Dist included in Sect C and Sam Corrigan added to Sect E for looking after the Loughgall Centre. Eamon Grew raised some matters outstanding for Charlemont and the NIPA Committee will be dealing with the new correspondence which might just take us back to square one.

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. For 62 Against 18.

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. For 23 Against 58.

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. For 62 Against 16.

4. New Rule 49B

The results in one club only may be included in any claim for NIPA trophies. For 62 Against 19.

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. For 66 Against 16.

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. For 74 Against 7.

7. New Rule

In National, Classic, Championship and all NIPA Open Races the Winners will be drug tested by feather within one week. Refusal to allow a test will mean automatic disqualification and mat entail suspension. For 83 Against 0.

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. For 81 Against 0.

The AGM of the RPRA (Irish Region) was held in the Dromore Leisure Centre, Lurgan Road, Dromore, County Down on Saturday 7th February, despite poor weather conditions with a lot of frost and snow a fair number of members were present. President Lyndon Boyle opened the meeting and firstly asked the members to stand and observe a moments silence in respect of those who had passed away in the previous year.

Secretary Robert Reid was then invited to read the minutes of the previous AGM which were passed as a true record. The accounts were also passed and the Irish Region has remained in a healthy financial state with surplus for the year at just under £1,430. The internal audit was carried out by Diamond Carson (Banbridge) and Anthony McDonnell (Coleraine Premier). The financial statement for the Irish Region was prepared by Adrian Hall & Co from Hillsborough, Chartered Accountants. Lyndon Boyle was thanked for again keeping a detailed report of the seasons workings and setting out the Statement of Accounts, the Irish Region account is very sound. Under AOB 2008 it was asked if the three new clubs fulfilled their obligation to supply their conditions and members etc inside 7 days. Beech Park was outside the time but it was agreed to accept the clubs explanation that they waited until after the NIPA meeting to confirm an up to date list of membership.

Vice-President Sammy Thompson was invited to conduct the election of officials for 2009. Some changes were made to the Region Committee but all the top places remained unchanged, a number of apologies were received prior to and at the start of the AGM.

President Mr Lyndon Boyle. Vice Presidents Samuel Briggs, Sammy Thompson and Alan Darragh. Secretarys M/M Robert Reid, 131 North Road Carrickfergus, Co Antrim. BT38 7QJ. Tel: (028) 93 362051. E-mail: mrandmrsreidrpra@yahoo.co.uk

Irish Region Appeals Committee: R McCracken, J Serplus, E Marshall, D Carson, A Darragh, W Knowles, A C McGrugan, J Burrows, M Gibson, R Reid, S Briggs, L Boyle, S Thompson, T Davidson, W Reynolds, B Kelly, G Delaney, C OHare, W Seaton, G McDowell and D Spence.

INFC Committee: P Smith, W Knowles, A Darragh, D Black, P Gault, R Duddy, C OHare, D Suitters, W Reynolds, C Lyons, M Wray, L Woodside, G Shaw, G McDowell and B Stevenson. Reserve G Delaney. INFC Appeals Committee: S Cairns, J Burrows and R McCracken.

RPRA Delegates: Lyndon Boyle, Sammy Thompson and reserve Alan Darragh. Auditors Adrian Hall & Co. Internal Audit will be carried out by Kells & District. Press Officer: Willie Reynolds. Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683. E-mail: reynoldshomer@aol.com

Letters from two new clubs, one from Southern Ireland the Stewart Cant Inv FC, and from Northern Ireland the Loughview Combine which is open from competition in East Antrim and involving members of Glengormley, Ligoniel and Eastway. The secretary was to obtain the exact name of the new organisations.

Main business of the Delegates Meeting was to mandate the RPRA Delegates on the AGM Agenda Resolutions. The meeting decided to support most of the list but will vote against 7/15, 7/16, 7/20, 7/21, 7/22, and 7/23. Think I got all those.

The General & Appeals meeting as expected started late, minutes of the last meeting were read. There was a short discussion on the recording of the minute regarding the case Wilkinson v Reynolds & McCormick. It was proposed by Campbell McGrugan and seconded by Alan Darragh that the report should read Reynolds & McCormick made a genuine mistake which was rectified before the sale took place. This was the reason why the Irish Region Committee in a unanimous decision would take no further action. This case and one involving A Beattie will be coming up at the next RPRA Council meeting. On matters arising 2008 the secretary said the method of selecting the various award winners for the Irish Region would have to change after two objections having been raised last time. No decision was taken but the feeling was the winners would have to be decided prior to the meeting and then confirmed at same. Each category winner has to be the best and they in turn are presented as the Irish Region performance to be considered for the overall awards in England.

Under Suspensions/Removals the suspension was lifted on both S Beattie and D Beattie. Both R Mills and T Booth had been suspended prior to this appeal. Both were confirmed to be lifted again at the end of February. Just the one appeal W Neill v NIPA it got started and the decision was that the appeal was outside the time allowed.

The secretary should have the names of all members that have resigned from the club and all members who have had a Clearance Sale. Affiliation Fees are due for 2009. Clubs £4.00, Single Members £4.50, Individual Members £10.00, Each Partnership £4.50 in respect of each member. Socities in arrears at 1st March 2009 will be called upon to pay an extra 50p per Member and £10 for Club. Fees must be paid through one Society Cheque made payable to Royal Pigeon Racing Association Irish Region.

Lets hope its third time lucky for this years INFC/BHW Single Bird Challenge. There was probably nobody any more disappointed than ourselves when for the second year in succession the Kings Cup did not take place, but let me assure everyone that the whole INFC committee are doing everything in their power to make sure the Kings Cup takes place this year. Therefore the Single Bird Challenge this year is a bit the lottery or the scoop6, there is a double rollover. Hopefully everyone will have received their Single Bird Challenge entry form this week, those who entered the last two Challenges will have a paid stamp on their form and have a free entry so please check your form before sending payment. Previous entrants can enter the same bird again or a new one if they wish. New entrants can send their form along with their £5 entry fee to David Black. My name and address is on the entry form. All entries should be with me by the 17th March. The Joe Doheny Cup is waiting for the winner plus framed Diplomas go to the first three birds, kindly sponsored by W. Sawyers & Co. Banbridge. If anyone has any queries call me Tel: 07876 157706.

The 59th Annual General Meeting of INFC will be held in the Lagan Valley Leisure Plex, Lisburn Leisure Park, Governor Road, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, on Saturday 7th March 2009 @ 2.00 p.m. sharp.

Northern Ireland Show Racer Society: The above held their final show of the season in Ballymoney HPS, 175 birds were penned and judged through the wires and handled by the Ballymena Ace Robert Alexander, many thanks to him. Old Cock T/W 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th & 8th Rouke & Christie, 3rd Edgar & Wiggins, 5th P McArdle, 6th R Montgomery. Old Hen T/W 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 5th Rouke & Christie, 4th Edgar & Wiggins, 6th R Montgomery, 7th P McArdle, 8th A Wiggins. Young Cocks T/W 1st, 2nd, 5th & 8th Rouke & Christie, 3rd P McArdle, 4th Edgar & Wiggins, 6th R Montgomery, 7th A Wiggins. Young Hens T/W 1st A Wiggins, 2nd P McArdle, 3rd Edgar & Wiggins, 4th, 7th & 8th Rouke & Christie, 5th & 6th R Montgomery. Old Cock Handled 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th Rouke & Christie, 6th S Pearce, 7th A Wiggins, 8th Edgar & Wiggins. Old Hen Handled 1st M Kelly, 2nd Edgar & Wiggins, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th Rouke & Christie, 4th A Wiggins. Young Cock Handled 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th & 7th Rouke & Christie, 3rd A Wiggins, 6th Edgar & Wiggins, 8th P McArdle. Young Hen Handled 1st A Wiggins, 2nd, 4th, 5th & 8th Rouke & Christie, 3rd M Kelly, 6th P McArdle, 7th Edgar & Wiggins. Yearling Cock Handled 1st Edgar & Wiggins, 2nd, 3rd & 5th Rouke & Christie, 4th S Pearce, 6th A Wiggins, 7th P McArdle. Yearling Hen Handled 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th & 6th Rouke & Christie, 3rd A Wiggins, 7th Edgar & Wiggins, 8th M Kelly. Coloured Hen Handled 1st & 2nd A McCook, 3rd & 7th Rouke & Christie, 4th Edgar & Wiggins, 5th P McArdle, 6th A Wiggins, 8th S Pearce. Coloured Cock Handled 1st M Kelly, 2nd & 3rd Rouke & Christie, 4th, 7th & 8th A McCook, 5th P McArdle, 6th A Wiggins. Young Fancier Cock Handled 1st S Pearce, 2nd & 3rd R Wiggins, 4th & 8th R Newton, 5th, 6th & 7th T Montgomery. Young Fancier Hen Handled 1st, 4th, 6th & 7th R Newton, 2nd & 5th R Wiggins, 3rd & 8th D Adair. Young Racer Hen 1st, 6th, 7th & 8th W Neill, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th Edgar & Wiggins. Best Young Bird A Wiggins. Best Yearling Edgar & Wiggins. Best OB and Reserve BIS Robert Christie. Best in Show A Wiggins. Congratulations to all the winners and all members who supported the Show Series.

The Northern Ireland Show Racer Society annual dinner and prize night was held in early February in the local Ballymoney United Social Club. Awards presented by Jennifer Neill were as follows. Champion Cock Rouke & Christie. Champion Old Hen Edgar & Wiggins. Champion Old Bird Rouke & Christie. Champion Young Cock A Wiggins. Champion Young Hen Edgar & Wiggins. Champion Young Bird A Wiggins. Champion Yearling Edgar & Wiggins. Best Old Bird T/W Rouke & Christie. Best Young Bird T/W Rouke & Christie. Best Yearling T/W R Montgomery. Best Colour Bird A McCook. Most Points in One Show Rouke & Christie. Most Points Overall Rouke & Christie. Most Cards in One Show Rouke & Christie. Most Cards Overall Rouke & Christie. Best International Edgar & Wiggins. Best International Young Fancier - R Wiggins. Young Fancier Most Cards R Wiggins. Young Fancier Most Points D Adair. Best Young Fancier 1st R Wiggins, 2nd D Adair, 3rd R Newton, 4th T Montgomery, 5th S Pearte. Prize-winners 1st Rouke & Christie, 2nd Edgar & Wiggins, 3rd A Wiggins, 4th P McArdle, 5th R Montgomery, 6th A McCook, 7th M Kelly, 8th W McClean. NISR Champion Show Racer Edgar & Wiggins. NISR Fancier of the Year Rouke & Christie.

John Edgar and Michael & Robert Wiggins traveled to the Dublin Show in November and brought home the Best in Show Cup competing against 700 pigeons winning with an old Yellow Cock. It is the first time a member of the NISR Society has won the top prize bringing it home to the North West Triangle.

Banbridge HPS will have the annual Panel/Supper Night & Auction in the Banbridge British Legion on Friday 27th February at 8.00pm. All fanciers welcome, £2 pay at the door.

The Northern Ireland Channel Federation will have the AGM and presentation of prizes in the Laurelvale Cricket Club on Saturday 7th March at 2.30pm sharp. Cups and trophies should be cleaned and returned to either, Joe Brown, Geoffrey Douglas or John Reid before 7th March. A full attendance is requested as Secretary John Reid is retiring due to ill health.

The Fanciers Combine report a good membership for a new racing season, the race programme will be published just as soon as it is available. In 2009 the members will be using a new transporter and the old one will continue to be used for a number of Open Races.

Harryville HPS are having a Squeaker Sale in Larne & District clubrooms on Thursday 12th March 2009 at 8.00pm. Very good selection of birds, EVERYONE WELCOME! Secretary Nicola Gilbert Tel: 07724 507621.

Banbridge Social HPS annual Breeder/Buyer sale will take place in the local British Legion Hall at 8pm on Friday 13th March. Last season the club paid out between £1,400 and £1,500 and expect this season to be something similar. Race will be the INFC Skibbereen due to be flown on Saturday 19th September. All welcome, birds from top NIPA and East Down Combine lofts, Tel: T Lennon 07711 409205.

Coalisland & District will be moving to new clubrooms and to assist a fund raising Squeaker Sale will be held on Wednesday 18th March in Annaghmore. Birds have been promised from numerous top lofts, more details will be published later. Please note the sale has been brought forward by one day.

The Young Bird Sale for the Renovation Fund at Glenavy Protestant Hall will be held on Wednesday 25th March starting at 7.30pm. Birds are donated by a number of top lofts including various Studs. Auctioneer is Ronnie Johnston and he is to sponsor a prize for the Best Performance of a young bird purchased.

Laurelvale HPS: Proudly present a Young Bird Auction in aid of new clubrooms to be held on Friday 27th March at 7.30pm in the Banbridge British Legion. Auctioneer is Ronnie Johnston, birds on view from 6.30pm. A super draft of young pigeons kindly donated by the following fanciers, bidding will start at £30. Joe Adamson, T & G Kennedy, McFarland & Agnew, Mal Maguire & Son, D & J Armstrong & Son, Mark Maguire & Son, David Black & Son, D Mawhinney & Son, Joe Brown, J & J Milligan, S S Cairns, R Mills & Son, J Cleland, T Mooney & Son, M Conlon & Son, Eddie McAlinden, A Cousins & Son, Allan McDonald, Joe Cromie, Mansel McDowell, Alan Darragh, Ron McKelvey, M/M G Delaney, McKinstry Bros, Roy Donaldson, Eddie McKnight, Donnelly Bros, Willie Neill, Geoffrey Douglas, John Patterson, J Dowey & Sons, Davy Strain, T & A Ford, J Trotter, Colin Gibson, Nelson Weir, Jeff Greenaway, Ron Williamson, Alan Hall, Tom Wilson, G & F Hall, C & L Woodside, K Henderson & Son, E Wright & Son, Mark Hughes, and R Kennedy. Updated list at 23/02/2009, a sale not to be missed!

Glengormley are planning for this year an Open Breeder & Buyer Sale with £1,000 to Breeder and £1,000 to buyer and the race the final INFC Skibbereen. Sales are being arranged for Newtownbreda, Grosvenor, Ligoniel and Glengormley, more details later. In the meantime I have some contact numbers. Michael Mullan Tel: 07774 731652, Matt Murphy Tel: 07799 765327 and Hugh Bigger Tel: 07796 848484.

Doagh & District HPS: The annual Y/Bird Breeder/Buyer Sale will be held in the Linfield Club, Ballyclare on Thursday 2nd April kick off 8pm. Over £1,000 is paid out every year, and with youngsters promised from many of the top local lofts, plus top English lofts we are hoping that this year will be even better than before. Remember Cards only, Minimum bid £20 and open only to NIPA Section C lofts. 40% to Breeder, 40% to Buyer and 20% for Club. All ring numbers to be with the Doagh Secretary John Wilson by 30th May 2009, and the race will be the Rosscarbery NIPA Y/Bird National.

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 available now. 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 its 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.

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 from 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.

Just a few points to bring you up to date re North Coast Classic at Coleraine, Tauris will be fitting each Section of the loft with a Four Field Pad, to allow for the best possible and most comfortable trapping for the youngsters and more importantly making sure all are picked up. Tauris have also designed a completely new programme which when all set up will allow for the instant transfer of clocking Data to be displayed on the website as it happens via a Live Video Feed. It is hoped that this Video Feed will be in place shortly so as the participating members and indeed everyone who is interested can view the goings on in the loft Live, a Big Brother so to speak. This will obviously assist the guys with the security aspect of the loft also.

For all members who have already submitted their application forms and are looking their entries picked up, you can call John Millar Logistics to organise a suitable time for collection, no better man could be looking after you, John can be contacted on 028 94 473013 or mobile 07899895100. Also any fancier tempted and who havent already entered can down load an application form when returning to the http://www.pigeonnetwork.com home page and going to the North Coast Classic Banner at the top of the page.

What I like about this project the most, is the fact that all money spent so far has been from the owners own pockets namely Trevor Steele and Sean Diamond, not one penny of the entry money has been touched and it is safely in the bank building by the day towards that £35,000 prize fund.

Also announced this week is the additional sponsor ship by 'Versele-Laga' who are already sponsoring the feeding for the loft, they will be donating EXTRA PRIZES in the 'Hot-Spot' races, more details on this will be announced over the next few days. This is a welcome bonus for Trevor and Sean and they are grateful to Cyril Beattie for having negotiated this for the entrants.

To finish off with yet more good news, especially for all the fanciers (under 18), the Mayor of Coleraine David Barbour has kindly donated a beautiful trophy for the first fancier under 18 to record an arrival in the final race. Karen from Birmingham must be thanked for the idea.

Trevor said on Sunday "We have had our first intake to-day and quite a few curious visitors to the loft. The next two or three days will see building work completed and we will be at the loft most days this week. Please come along for a visit as it gives me an excuse to stop work for a chat" Would fanciers using the lane PLEASE drive slowly and carefully, Thank you".

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