Homer's Odyssey/BHW Plus - 26/03/10

[willie reynolds]

The opening race of the NIPA old bird programme will be flown from Tullamore on Saturday 10th April, race sheets and clocks need to be returned this week for all member clubs. Kells & District and Ballymena & Dist clubs will open at 8.00pm on Thursday for delivery of same. Clocks in the old days had to be three-way tested, now in this modern area with one third using the ETS Systems the main job now is to list updates. When the season starts clubs should furnish their results as in the past, if you can supply extra details that will help a lot as will the odd photo. We have always relied on a number of area scribes to supply local news for publication, this as usual will be listed in the organisation report for each race. There is more to do than will ever be possible to be done, we can only try our best, to ensure your result is listed get the details to Homer, space is also available for all club’s to list results on www.pigeonnetwork.com

The special offer of Hormoform and Bamford Pellets will finish shortly and orders need placed and collected immediately from Ballymena Pigeon Supplies. Training is another important feature and I have some details for the local fancy.

John Lowry of Crumlin will start training week commencing Monday 5th April, he can provide single crates for the fanciers, usual collection arrangements. Tel: (028) 94 459014 or Mobile: 07710 447262. Homer hopes to be ready for the start of old bird racing, training on demand, more details on this later.

Colin Long (Kingswood HPS) shall commence training Sunday the 21st of March 2010 he intends training every day Newry/Dundalk line and shall pick up birds as follows - 8am Dundonald Ice Bowl, 8.45am Kingswood HPS, 9.30 Durham St (behind the black man tech) for further information phone Colin on Mobile: 07894 117243.

Tom Cairns (Glengormley) intends to train birds to Skerries (Dublin) each Saturday morning between 22nd May and 3rd July especially with the long distance races in mind. Pick-up points will include Corr’s Corner Roundabout 7.00am until 7.30am, Park Centre 8.00am until 8.30am. Tel: 07973 113710.

Springvale Social intend to once again promote a Gold Ring Race in 2010, rings at £20 each are available now. Open to lofts competing in the NIPA Sections B & C the race will be as last year flown in conjunction with the NIPA Rosscarbery National. Prizes will be 1st £750, 2nd £150 and 3rd £100 and the contact numbers are as follows. Victor Montgomery Tel: 93-340021, Robert Scott Tel: 93-322798, Campbell McGrugan Tel: 93-340981 and Michael Fasciolo Tel: 07854 910228. I have to inform the fancy that long time member John (Nook) Wilson has passed away at the advanced age of 91 years, he had many years of top success and was the former winner of the Yearling Nat. Sincere condolences to the family circle.

Sales: Corcreeney Breeder & Buyer Sale in Newtownbreda Thursday 25th March at 8.00pm. The second sale will be held in Banbridge on Thursday 1st April at 8.00pm. Charity B & B on behalf of Blue Dove Hospice (Newry) in Banbridge Legion Friday 26th March and on the same night a YB Sale for Carrick Social (Club Repairs) at 8.00pm. The Breeder & Buyer Sale for Doagh & Dist will be held in McConnells Lounge on Saturday 27th March at 2.00pm.

Ballycarry & District will hold a Young Bird National sale to be flown from Rosscarbery at 1/3 breeder,1/3 buyer,1/3 club funds. The sale will be in the local clubrooms on Friday 2nd April @ 7.30pm open to all in NIPA Section C. Also new for 2010 they will hold a Young Bird weekly sale to be raced from the first five mass lib young bird races, This sale will be held in the clubrooms on Wednesday 7th April @ 7.30pm, sale open to members in Carrick Social RPC, Carrick & District HPS & Ballycarry HPS. Could members please note that all dues will be paid on Friday 2nd April, and also clocks in for 3 way test the same night, this is of course the night of the YB Nat Sale.

Larne & District HPS will host a Young Bird Sale in the local clubrooms on Friday 2nd April, birds in the pen from 7.00pm, sale at 7.30pm. Birds have been donated by local lofts and friends and the sale is in support of Brian & Val Derbyshire who tragically lost their grand-son following an accident in Australia. Brian is a good worker for the sport and is part of the D Donnelly & Partners team.

Ballynure & District will have the annual Breeder & Buyer Sale in the Larne & Dist HPS Clubrooms, Glenarm Road in Larne on Wednesday 7th April, penning at 7.30 and sale at 8.00pm. The race will be the Rosscarbery YB National, £600 has been paid out each year and all fanciers are welcome.

The presentation of last season’s cups and trophies for the Windsor Social HPS, Coleraine was held in their club headquarters at the Coronation Social clubrooms, Ballyrashane. Members and guests sat down to an excellent three course meal provided by the ladies of the Coronation Social. Following the meal, the chief guest, John McCandless of the Coleraine & County Derry RPS presented the cups and trophies to the winners. The leading lofts were G Donaghy Son & Grandson, Horner & Scott and Kenny Glass.

The cup and trophy winners were: the partnership of G Donaghy, Son & Grandson won in Old Birds – Clonmel (1) and (2), Talbenny, Fermoy (1), (2) & (3) and in Young Birds – Roscrea and Fermoy; the partnership of Horner & Scott won in OB – Tullamore (1) & (2), Roscrea, Tullamore (3) and in YB – Tullamore; Kenny Glass won in YB – Mullingar, Tullamore, Clonmel and Fermoy; Brennan & Christie won Rosscarbery OB National; Willie Henry won OB Talbenny; R & J Parke won OB Bude; Frank McIlreavy won OB Penzance and J Fulton won YB Tullamore.

The Ahoghill Flying Club returned once again to the Ballymena United Social Club at Warden Street for their annual dinner and presentation of prizes for the last season. More of the local clubs are waiting till the new year to hold the award nights, previously it was a big rush up to Christmas to fit them all in. Ballymena & District was held just before Blackpool and Harryville have planned their event for late February. The members and friends were soon seated in the main hall and Chairman Tom Young welcomed a good turn-out with most members present and introduced the guests who included the local scribe Homer and Rosie. He has a special word of welcome to Cowan Balmer and wife Molly to the event, they again brought a big party. Cowan had missed the dinner for a few years but after a big welcome back he should return again very soon. Cowan and Molly are top fund-raisers for the club and the members were pleased to welcome Angela Alexander from Finvoy Post Office, every year they run the famous Name the Doll and added this year we had the Fireside Quiz. Also Roberta & John from Galgorm Post Office and Linda Fry the Hair Stylist from Greenvale Street in Ballymena, others who are very good supporters of the local club. Another top sponsor are Brooke Supplies from Ahoghill who present prizes every year and are involved with the 2 Bird Club where Champion in 2009 was the Young McManus & Sons team.

The officials at the Social Club were thanked for all their assistance, nothing is too much trouble, the dinner set up in the main hall and the prizes presented in the Members Lounge. Anns Kitchen supplied another luxury five course meal, plenty to go round.

Secretary Albert Young had all the prizes set out and Ahoghill had an outstanding season in 2009, it might be one of the best ever. The Young McManus & Sons team do take some beating, its 15 seasons on the trot as top prize-winner and Paddy was glad to welcome good friend Bertie Blair to the prize night. All told the club won the local Mid Antrim Combine (nine clubs) seven times in total, and for Paddy his total of four puts the performances of 2009 among the best of the last 15 years. The loft also came very close in the Premier Old Bird Nat from St Malo in France, an early arrival was timed to finish 1st Club, 2nd Combine & Sect and 4th Open in the NIPA.

The Diplomas were presented by Angela Alexander and all but one came in the old bird racing. Young McManus & Sons won from Clonmel (2), Fermoy (1), Bude and then Tullamore (2) in young birds. Charlie Young had 1st Combine from Roscrea 126/3,235 on velocity 1822 and Young McManus & Sons were 3rd. A & N Young had 1st Combine from Tullamore (3) 93/2,027 on velocity 1937 and Jimmy Smyth & Son took 1st Combine in the Rosscarbery OB Inland Nat 95/610 on velocity 1892. Most of the races during 2009 were very fast up around a mile a minute each week, one big exception was Penzance which was flown for the first time in a number of years. David Lowry & Sons won 1st Combine in the duplicate Penzance OB Classic doing velocity 977 for the approx 330 miles. He also won the Average all races England & Wales. I should have mentioned the three 1st Combines for Young McManus & Sons resulted in 3 x 1st Sect B and with a little bit more luck it could have been a lot more.

The prize money and race diplomas were presented by Cowan Balmer and the wife of the club Chairman Margaret Young. Congratulations to son David who has just recently got engaged to Ruth Chestnut. The leading lofts to the table were: Young McManus & Sons, A & N Young, D Lowry & Sons, Charlie Young, Balmer Young & Sons, Jimmy Smyth, John Balmer who finished 2nd Combine from Bude, Tom & Glen Cotter and Jimmy Orr & Son.

The local Five Corners Bar & Restaurant just outside Ballyclare was the venue of the annual prize night for Springvale Social a long established club in the East Antrim area. On a poor night weather wise with thick fog a good turn-out of the local members were made welcome by Chairman Robert Scott. The members enjoyed a good season including young Jordan Scott who won most races and emerged as Top Prize-winner for the first time. With the NIPA he won the Ned Marshall Cup for Runner-up Young Fancier of the Year, and the RPRA (Irish Region) Young Fancier Mileage Award 0-250 Miles. In the overall competition in the RPRA with lofts competing across the UK & Ireland this young fancier was to win the Young Fancier Short Distance award, this presented at the annual Blackpool Show.

The leading lofts were: Jordan Scott, Turkington Bros managed by another young fancier Robert Turkington, Robert Scott, R Davidson & Sons, A C McGrugan long time Secretary and former OB Derby winner, Ian Horner, Michael Fasciolo, Willie Drennan and Montgomery & Kirk.

The Breeder/Buyer race was flown from Talbenny and paid out £700 bringing the total payout to over £1,400. Major winners were Robert McMeekin from Kingsmoss and Mr & Mrs Colin Hayes from Ballyclare. 1st Breeder £150 won by R McMeekin, 2nd Breeder £150 won by M/M C Hayes, 1st Buyer £200 won by R McMeekin, 2nd Buyer £200 won by R McMeekin.

The awards were presented by Mrs Heather McComb the wife of the major sponsors G M Landscapes, Campbell McGrugan thanked all the members and sponsors including those at Five Corners who look after Springvale so well. Robert Scott thanked Campbell for all his hard work during the year, he said the club had a very successful year and he hoped to see that get even better in 2010, R Davidson & Sons collected most cups and trophies.

The trophies won in 2009 included: W H Topping Memorial Shield – R Davidson & Sons, Irvine Cup – R Davidson & Sons, Old Bird Inland Average – R Scott, North End Cup – Jordan Scott, McConnell Cup – R Davidson & Sons, Vale Cup - A C McGrugan, Moss Road Cup – R Davidson & Sons, E Rutherford Memorial Cup – R Scott, W Cahoon Memorial Cup – R Davidson & Sons, Cross Channel Average Cup – R Davidson & Sons, Cairnview Trophy – R Davidson & Sons, Old Bird Average – R Davidson & Sons, Moore Cup – Jordan Scott, Bernard Montgomery Cup – R Davidson & Sons, Blair Cup – R Davidson & Sons, Bingham Family Memorial Cup – Jordan Scott, R Topping YB Points Cup – Jordan Scott, W Cahoon Memorial Cup – R Davidson & Sons, Cook Cup YB Average – Jordan Scott, Juvenile Cup – Jordan Scott, Combined Average Cup – R Davidson & Sons, Scott Trophy – Jordan Scott, Walker Cup – Jordan Scott, Loon Burn Cup – Turkington Bros, A & E Bell Show Shield – Montgomery & Kirk.

Most races were won by Jordan Scott, he had a season to remember and is looking forward to 2010, Turkington Bros were next in the prize-list, very consistent loft in the hands of young Robert Turkington (Loft Manager), another very dedicated fancier. They had the best bird in the St Malo OB Nat finishing 41st Sect C & 208th Open NIPA on velocity 653 and were best again in the Rosscarbery YB Nat finishing 205th Open NIPA. Probably the best result was timing two early arrivals in the Old Hen Nat flown from Penzance 321 miles, a very difficult event flown in conjunction with the Blue Riband YB Nat. The first bird doing velocity 908 finished 3rd North Sect & 4th Open INFC and I remember them returning to the Muckamore Centre with the second bird timed to finish 19th North Sect & 22nd Open INFC on velocity 692.

Willie Reynolds
NIPA Press Officer
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07939 684876
Email: reynoldshomer@aol.com
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