Homers Odyssey – RPRA meeting and awards
Cormac O’Hare from Newry elected as RPRA President -
The AGM for the RPRA (Irish Region) took place at the Christ Church Lisburn on Saturday 1st February 2025. All Irish Region members were welcome to attend.
Members present included. Samuel Briggs (Lisburn) President, Cormac O’Hare (Ballyholland) Chairman, Noel Higginson (Ballyclare) Sec/Treasurer, Jim Serplus (Laurelvale), Gerald Delaney (Ashfield), Robert Topping (Lisburn), Paul Gault (Kingsmoss), William Knowles (Kingsmoss), Alan Larkin (The Meadows), Art Kelly, Denis White.
Cormac O’Hare opened the meeting and welcomed the members present from across Ireland. A minutes silence was observed for all members and family that had passed away in the last year including recently Jimmy Burrows of Eastway. Apologies from Willie Reynolds, Norman Lewis, Dan Bradley, Robert Turkington, George Robinson, Paul Dunlop and Arnold Thompson.
Minutes of the previous AGM were read out by the Secretary Noel Higginson and passed on show of hands.
No matters arising so meeting moved on to discuss the large number of proposals going forward for voting at the RPRA Annual Meeting to be held at the end of Februa at the Leonardo Hotel (East Midlands Airport). Cormac O’Hare proposed a number of items relating to the RPRA Awards to be put forward to the RPRA Annual meeting and Delegates were mandated on voting procedure for the Resolutions on the Agenda.
The Irish Region (RPRA) have put forward the following. The RPRA (Irish Region) Mileage awards as follows judged by a panel.
Category 1 Adult
Short Distance minimum of 3 performances between 65 Miles – 250 Miles
Category 1A ages 8-16
Short Distance minimum of 3 performances between 65 Miles – 250 Miles
Category 2 Adult
Middle Distance minimum of 2 performances between 251 Miles – 450 Miles
Category 2A ages 8-16
Middle Distance minimum of 2 performances between 251 Miles – 450 Miles
Category 3 Adult
Long Distance 1 performance 450 Miles and over
Category 3A ages 8-16
Long Distance 1 performance 450 Miles and over
Category 4
Best all-round performance. Minimum of 3 performances with a maximum of 2 from any one category
Category 5
Best performance by a young bird. Minimum of 3 performances from any category.
Secretary Report for 2024 season – The meeting was informed that a statement of accounts was with the auditor and would be published as soon as available. We were in a good financial position going forward. Overall membership was a bit down on the season previous and to date we have lost Horseshoe (Larne) with Harryville (Ballymena) suspended.
All offices were declared vacant, and the following were elected to serve 2025.
President Samuel Briggs (Lisburn), Chairman Cormac O’Hare (Ballyholland), Secretary/Treasurer Noel Higginson (Ballyclare. Vice Presidents Gerald Delaney (Ashfield) and Cormac O’Hare. Life Vice Presidents – Samuel Briggs, Jim Serplus (Laurelvale), William Knowles (Kingsmoss).
RPRA Council Delegates – Samuel Briggs, Cormac O’Hare, with Alan Larkin (The Meadows) reserve. The Irish Region Appeals Committee will consist of all members of the Irish Region Committee. Irish Region Appeals Committee – Samuel Briggs, Cormac O’Hare, Noel Higginson, Willie Reynolds, Jim Serplus, Alan Larkin, Gerald Delaney, George Robinson (Carrick), William Knowles, Robin Service (Ballymena) and Robert Topping.
Irish Region INFC Committee representatives – Richard McCracken, Gary Donaldson, Paul Dunlop, Cormac O’Hare, Jim Serplus, Robin Duddy, Arnold Thompson, Edwin McGimpsey, Norman Lewis, Gary Simmons, Robin Service, Robert Turkington, Robert Topping, Alan Larkin and Carson Lyons.
INFC Appeals Committee – Gerald Delaney, and Joe Brown. Irish Region Press Officer Willie Reynolds. Cormac on behalf of the RPRA thanked Trevor Topping and Family for their service of 25 years to the Irish National Flying Club. It was agreed that the Irish Region would purchase a new computer. William Knowles presented the Irish Region with a new trophy accepted by Cormac O’Hare and a big thank yo from the members present. Trophy to be flown for Best overall single bird performance Cat (1) 65–250 Miles. Cat (2) 251-450 Miles. Cat (3) 450 Miles and over. As we had no other business the meeting was closed.
RPRA (Irish Region) Awards 2024 –
The annual awards were as usual presented at the NIPA Ladies Night with Irish Region Secretary Noel Higginson on hand to sort the business out. The Meritorious awards are available in each NIPA Section and the RPRA Medal awarded to the best individual bird performance over two cross channel races 2nd Dale & Penzance. The overall winner with the best velocity was won by Ron Williamson who was having his final season racing in Newry & District before his return home to Bondhill. Thanks to Adie and Jordan Hughes for assistance with photos.
Irish Region Meritorious Awards 2024 (Dale & Penzance) –
Sect A - J Hanson Coleraine Premier Vel 1268, Sect B - A Darragh Cullybackey Vel1282, Sect C - D & J Armstrong Carrick Vel 1230, Sect D - O & M Monaghan Colin Vel 1233 , Sect E - G Marsden Hills & Maze Vel 1240, Sect F - W & L Robinson Comber Vel 1235, Sect G - R Williamson Newry & Dist Vel 1326, Sect H - G Duddy Limavady Vel 1186. South Section – Byrne & Bradley St Pauls RPC Vel 994. The overall Winner with the best velocity Ron Williamson Newry & District Vel 1326.
Irish Region Mileage Awards 2024 -
0-250 Miles won by Owen Markey, Ballyholland
251-450 Miles won by Brendan Chambers, Ballyholland
450 + Miles won by Ron Williamson, Newry & District
Best OB Performance 2024 won by Owen Markey, Ballyholland
Best YB Performance 2024 won by David Calvin, Bondhill Social
(Irish Region) Young Fancier Mileage Awards 2024
0-250 and 251-450 Miles won by Mullen Bros, Edgarstown HPS
RPRA (Irish Region) Young Fancier of the Year 2024 - Mullen Bros, Edgarstown HPS.
Congratulations Bingham and Seaton from Ligoniel & District on winning the Louis Massarella Cup for the 3rd time, also well done to Davy Calvin who was runner up, fantastic UK achievements. Adult Young Bird all round performance. Ron wins Queens Coronation Cup for Adult Long Distance 451 + Miles in the Kings Cup. Mullen Bros won the Young Fancier Short Distance award. These awards were presented at the Blackpool Show of the Year held in January.
Congratulations to Cormac O'Hare on being elected President of the RPRA Supreme Council. This is the first time in the RPRA's history that a delegate from the Irish Region has been elected President.Well done Cormac a big challenge ahead!