Farming Life - Wednesday 07/11/12

[willie reynolds]

Kells & District celebrate at Pigeon Moot –

The Kells & District HPS returned for the third time to Dunsilly Hotel in Antrim for the annual prize giving and moot, most of the members were in attendance and were made welcome by Chairman Brian Swann. He thanked all the members for their help and support during the past season and all those involved with the arrangements for the prize night including Alan Shanks. Top prize-winner was yet again Jeff Surgenor with a tally of awards that included Highest Prize-winner, M Smyth Cup (Best Ave 1st 2 OB Races), R Service Cup (1st 2 OB & 1st 2YB Races), Bude Cup, R Logan Cup (5th & 6th YB Races), Adair Cup Best Ave 2 x NIPA Nat Y/B), Young Bird Ave and J Wright Cup (Talbenny, Fermoy & Skibbereen). Total pay-out including Show Specials was just over £1,200, a fantastic effort by the club. Jeff Surgenor is the man to beat and has been at the top for the last number of years bar one when Scott & Clements were successful and that goes back to when Davy McCullough & Son were at the top. This loft could race and good to see that Davy is still keeping his hand in with brother in law Jeff there on the race days giving a hand and going strong.

The leading lofts were Surgenor Bros, Scott & Clements, George McDowell, Harry Boyd, B Swann & Son, T & M Morrow, McFarlane & Agnew, A Barkley & Son, Mrs M Smyth, Henry Turkington, Billy McClure and T Shanks & Son. The club won Mid Antrim Combine in four races, Like last season Surgenor Bros had 3 x 1sts, the opening race of the season from Tullamore 94/1940 (Scott & Clements were 2nd & 3rd), Tullamor in young birds 83/2155 (B Swann & Son were 2nd) and the next race Fermoy 101/2053. In this one they take 1st NIPA Sect B & 146th Open with 17,691 birds competing. Scott & Clements won the young bird race from Mullingar 87/2213 also 1st & 2nd Sect and 1st & 2nd Open NIPA 154/3,932. George McDowell had a good finish to the young bird season 3rd MAC Tullamore (3) finishing 4th Sect & 155th Open NIPA on velocity 2003, 3rd MAC Fermoy (2) finishing 7th Sect and 2nd MAC Rosscarbery YB Nat finishing 2nd Sect & 29th Open NIPA 520/4,643.

The Ring Secretary Mrs Marie Herron presented the cups and prize money, all this prior to the main part of the evening the Pigeon Moot/Quiz. INFC President Sid Collins acted as Chairman for the remainder of the evening, a large attendance enjoyed a variety of events.

There was a display of Memorabilia, including many photos from the past. There was a lot of my own work over many years, and more before that, what a very interesting display of newspaper cuttings, photos and scrap books. They had a computer set up for a video show which included a lot of the Old Hands including two Mid Antrim greats the late Billy Erwin and Tommy Harper who had success from all points through to France, Billy Erwin of course brought the famous Kings Cup to the town with the famous “Moonlight Mannequin” timed from Nantes near dark.

Ryan Barr explained the business behind his Belfast based Pigeon Diagnostics re improving health and performance and had Free Test Kits for all attending, and a top highlight of the night was the interview with Wesley Sawyers from Banbridge the ace long distance loft that in the last two seasons has won the Hall of Fame Diploma and Gold Medal for 3 and 4 times in the Kings Cup result with the same bird. Long Distance racing is still a major attraction and even in Southern Ireland where they fly a bit shorter the biggest cheer at the weekend presentation for ISRF was for the Gold Medal award and the Millar Gold Cup, both flown out of France.

Kells & District would like to thank everyone involved with the event, those who sponsored prizes and all those who attended. The evening was well appreciated, the food was at the highest standard as usual, and well done again to Kells & Dist and Alan Shanks who made most of the arrangements for the night. The next big event at Dunsilly is Friday 4th January, the INFC Merit Awards presentation, and I hear a big star for the Quiz Panel. Thanks to Mrs Sempey for covering the photos.

Show Scene - News & Results

Dublin Show 2012 – The Dublin Racing Pigeon Show Society held their annual Charity Show on Saturday 3rd November, in the Irish Kennel Club Exhibition Centre beside Dublin Airport. I was delayed in getting down and missed the prize presentation, birds for this had been penned on the Friday evening. The big early rush had died down and for a change there were plenty of parking spaces. Another very good day weather wise, would have helped the attendance, although I don’t think just as many had travelled down from the North. All the main awards were taken back once again to Northern Ireland with the T & K Mawhinney team from Donaghcloney who have a record without equal winning yet again, the Best in Show, Best Opposite Sex and Most Points in Show. The husband and wife team took 6 x 1sts but will need to watch out with Billy Hobbs winning 5 x 1sts in his best ever show result. Timmy was telling me his Blue Cheq was just on its second show, and a sister of this bird won BOS.

The winners were: Class 1. Old Cock Flown Channel – T & K Mawhinney, Class 2. Old Hen Flown Channel – Mark Byrne, Class 3. Old Cock Flown – Derek Cummins, Class 4. Old Hen Flown – Keegan Darling, Class 5. Young Cock Flown –T & K Mawhinney, Class 6. Young Hen Flown – T & K Mawhinney, Any Age Cock/Hen Eyesign – W & N Gilbert, Class 8. Old Cock T/W – Brown & Shaw, Class 9. Old Hen T/W – T & K Mawhinney, Class 10. Young Hen T/W – Billy Hobbs, Class 11. Young Cock T/W – Billy Hobbs, Class 12. Matched Pairs – Chris Shaw, Class 13. Colour Class – Billy Hobbs, Class 14. Any Age Cock Un-flown – T & K Mawhinney, Class 15. Any Age Hen Un-flown – T & K Mawhinney, Class 16. Late Bred (One last Flight) – Chris Shaw, Class 17. Show Racer Old Cock – Billy Hobbs, Class 18. Show Racer Old Hen – Billy Hobbs, Class 19. Show Racer Young Cock R Wiggins, Class 20. Show Racer Young Hen – Rouke & Christy.

Northern Ireland lofts done well with wins for T & K Mawhinney, W & N Gilbert, Brown & Shaw, Chris Shaw, R Wiggins and Rouke & Christy. All in all another fantastic event and well done to the Committee, President Eugene Fitzgerald, Secretary Mick O’Driscoll, Treasurer Jay Byrne plus G Daly, K Darling and M O’Connor.

Ballymena & District HPS: All pens were filled on Monday night for the two old bird classes, judged through the wires by Tom and Albert Young from Ahoghill. It was another god night for visiting lofts with Jimmy Letters from Harryville winning the Old Cocks plus Special for BIS. W & J Smyth won the Old Hens class for the home club. Monday 12th November Young Cock & Young Hen Handled. Results: Old Cocks T/W (67 Birds) – 1st & Special J Letters, 2nd & 3rd W & N Gilbert, 4th W & J Smyth, Reserve B Herbison, VHC J & B Balmer, HC G & A Eagleson, Commended McAlonan Bros. Old Hens T/W (62 Birds) – 1st & 3rd W & J Smyth, 2nd MCD Magill, 4th D & R Turkington, Reserve J Letters, VHC B Herbison, VHC M/M M Sempey, Commrnded W & N Gilbert.

Ahoghill Flying Club: The first week for Ahoghill was Young Cocks & Young Hens judged through the wires by David Young from Muckamore. J & B Balmer from Ballymena & Dist had 1st & 2nd in the Young Cocks and A & N Young the Red Card in Young Hens. Results: Young Cocks T/W (41 Birds) – 1st & 2nd J & B Balmer, 3rd, 4th, VHC, HC & Commended M/M Robinson, Reserve W & N Gilbert. Young Hens T/W (39 Birds) – 1st, 3rd & HC A & N Young, 2nd J & B Balmer, 4th M/M Robinson, Reserve & Commended W Livingstone, VHC T & G Balmer. Friday – Old Cock & Old Hen T/W.

Cullybackey HPS: Old Hens T/W – 1st Russell Bros, 2nd & Reserve R & D Turkington, 3rd & HC J & J Greer, 4th E Davidson, VHC & Commended Reid Bros & McCloy. Old Cock T/W – 1st, 4th & HC Reid Bros & McCloy, 2nd, 3rd & Reserve B Herbison, VHC J & B Balmer, Commended Russell Bros.

Lurgan Social: 1st & VHC M Rice, 2nd C Reynolds, 3rd K Henderson, 4th S Shaw, Reserve & HC K Douglas, Commended E Wright. Best YB M Rice. Show 12th November Any Age Cock or Hen with Special for Best Young Bird.

CHERRYFIELD LOFTS – ENTIRE CLEARANCE

Over the past few seasons Roy has endeavoured to source out nothing but the finest winning and breeding bloodlines all over the country with the aim to produce the ultimate racing machine for the fancy in general. Many top results have been reported to Roy, too numerous to mention, by some of the top fanciers in the country (Please check website for testimonials – www.pigeoncraic.com). Some of the families housed at Cherryfield Lofts are as follows: Soontjens , Marcel Sangers, Boschiend Flyers, Ponderosa Janssens, Red Janssens, C & L Woodside Long Distance Family, plus others . The 3rd sale will be held at Chimney Corner Football Club, Randalstown Road , Antrim on Thursday 8th November @ 8pm with birds on view 7pm. What a draft of birds on offer – Class – Super Winning Bloodlines - A fantastic opportunity awaits the fancy - These bloodlines, on offer, have won numerous awards, for fanciers all around the country, racing in all organisations. Definitely a sale, not to be missed. Breeders galore of winners on offer - All lots will be offered on-line prior to the auction with the closing bid online the opening bid in the live sale room. To view all lots on offer, make a bid etc. log on to www.pigeoncraic.com/auctions (please note new email address) Please note: You must register to bid – any problems feel free to email: info@pigeoncraic.com and any assistance will be given. Also a sale list will be available to view or download by logging on at www.pigeoncraic.com and visit the download section at top of page. For any further info please Email: info@pigeoncraic.com or Telephone: 07737275820.

NCC One Loft: The 5th auction of the one loft entrants will be held @ Chimney Corner Football Club on Saturday 10th November @ 3pm Birds on view 2pm. – Class Lots On Offer & Not To Be Missed – For anyone looking to bid and cannot make the sale you can arrange a phone bid by contacting any of the following telephone numbers: Tel: 07938988869 Or 07791838060, Or 07548607756, Or 07751926454, Or 07709089233. Watch press & website for details. All lots will be offered on-line prior to the auction with the closing bid online the opening bid in the live sale room.

Jackie McErlean & Son (Alexandra): A sale has been arranged for the Newtownbreda HPS Clubrooms on Monday 12th November at 8.00pm. Due to family commitments taking a break from the sport, will offer majority of racing and stock team, just keeping a few for one loft race interest. For any further info please Email: info@pigeoncraic.com or Telephone: 07737275820.

New Antrim Amalgamated: The club AGM has been set for 27th November in their local clubrooms on the main Antrim Road. All correspondence to Secretary Chris Moore, 235 Cushendall Road, Ballymena.

Ladies Night - Bookings are now being taken for tickets to the Annual NIPA Ladies Night to be held at the Templeton Hotel in Templepatrick on Friday 9th November.

Charity Shows – Date for the big INFC Show, will be held in the Lisburn Leisure Plex on Saturday 8th December. Larne & District HPS – The Annual Monster Show will take place in the clubrooms at Old Glenarm Road, Larne, Co Antrim on Saturday 24th November 2012. Penning 10am – 1pm, Judging 2pm – 5pm, Prize Distribution 5.30pm. Entry Fee £1 per bird - Judges from Top Lofts.

Six Classes: Old Cocks, Old Hens, Young Cocks, Young Hens, Old & Young Bird Eye-sign (may be duplicated). Best In Show £100 and Best Opposite Sex £50.
Prizes For All Classes: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd – Bag Of Feeding , 4th Feeding Trough, VHC Hormoform, HC Grit & Mineral, C Tin of Roses.

There will be a Monster Show Auction – On offer a select draft of youngsters donated by local fanciers - £1,000 Prize-money to be raced for from Rosscarbery National or equivalent race and open to all NIPA Members. Mr Ryan Barr (Pigeon Diagnostics) will be in attendance to carry out any throat swabs & dropping testing.

Dromara HPS – The Dromara HPS are running a Pigeon Moot in The Pheasant, Annahilt on Thurs 15th November at 7.30pm, the panel will include Brian Sheppard, first UK International winner, Frank Bristow, 1st Open MNFC and King's Cup Winner from Lerwick and Dave Boxford of Boxford Busschaert fame. There will be a small sale of 2013 young birds from Dromara members and friends, entrance will be £5.00 including supper, anyone wanting more information can contact David Black on 07876 157706.