Farming Life - Wednesday 25/09/13

[willie reynolds]

HOLLYWOOD ‘STARS’ SET FOR DUBLIN DATE

Having received a call from Ronnie Higginson of Lurgan a couple of months ago, it was off some surprise that the reason for getting in contact, was that he was reluctantly deciding to sell his team of stock pigeons. This a loft that has enjoyed tremendous levels of success over the years including 2013 when they topped the NIPA O/Bird National from Rosscarbery with “Hollywood Spartacus” with some 6,200 + pigeons competing on a velocity of 1239ypm.

Ronnie Higginson has been involved with pigeons since an early age, and over the years enjoyed much success, flying to lofts at his semi- detached bungalow close to Mourneview Park, home ground of the Irish League affiliated Glenavon Football Club, it being a reasonably modern development and like many in this day and age garden space is limited. At the time of purchasing that wasn’t a problem for Ronnie as the Stock Pigeons where housed at his mother and fathers home address some 3 - 4 mile away. Over recent months both sadly have suffered bouts of ill health and Ronnie has took the decision with a heavy heart to sell the stock housed there. Very little racing has been possible over the last number of years and that has saddened Ronnie also with very few bred from the quality stock housed this was partly his reason also in his decision to sell, to give other fanciers a chance in stock which he admits without doubt will continue to produce prize winners.

Over the years Ronnie has established many friendships through the sport of pigeon racing none more so than Brian Keegan formally of Moira, and formally owner of the famous “Hollywood Lofts” selling up some years back. Ronnie Higginson is very fourth right in admitting that he is very much indebted to Brian for all his help and advice over the years and more importantly supplying the Golden Pigeons that made him an over-night success as well and subsequently many other fanciers over the years and the one that comes to mind with me is Niall Devlin, who simply took Banbridge by storm when he started to race, in only three years racing Niall recorded no less than 82 x 1st Clubs, 7 x 1st Section G NIPA 4,500 + pigeons, not forgetting a pile of top 10 Open positions in the NIPA with upwards of 30,000 pigeons plus an array of National Flying Club Diplomas, again all in three years of racing prior to his Clearance Sales in England at the latter part of 2007, the fast majority of the success was based around pigeons sourced from Ronnie Higginson.

Good pigeons don’t come around easy, as we all know. I think we can all ascertain that Brian Keegan was and remains a tremendous pigeon man, home to the famous Red Janssen’s and the incredible Hofkens, when racing he had a tremendous record. Stock wise and judge of a pigeon he is one of a kind, without any shadow of doubt Brian’s astuteness in picking and selecting prize winning stock is second to none and Ronnie Higginson was without doubt through his friendship with Brian a fancier to benefit.

Ronnie Higginson’s stock (Hollywood Lofts NI) is very much now based on the original “Hollywood Lofts UK” with the basis of stock concentrating particularly around the famous “Whitenose Hofkens” and Janssen’s centred around the old ’019’ and “Crown Price” Lines this superb element of the winning stock is focused purely on four RED COCKS this dynasty now known as the “Hollywood Red Janssens“. This family came to prominence with two G/Children of the famous ’019’, “RED CAESAR” who was a Full Brother to the “WONDERBOYS 05 & 06 and finally the famous Hollywood Lofts owned “RED DANCER” this a son of Bertie Camphius’s ’633’. Crossed in Ronnie Higginson’s Stock loft in Lurgan with the “Hollywood” Lofts Pigeons of Brian Keegan they simply have been at the top of there game for over 20 years producing 100’s of Club and Federation Wins for Fanciers all Across the UK. Just picking a few out of the hat, 1st Open Rosscarbery O/Bird Inland Nat; 1st NIPA Section E Fermoy 5 Bird Championship; 3rd Open INFC Skibb National; 6th Open INFC National Penzance; 8th Open INFC National Sennen Cove; 3rd Open INFC Skibbereen National; 4th Open INFC Skibb National; 10th Open NIPA Penzance; 14th Open NIPA Penzance; 1st Open NIPA 23,500 pigeons; 1st Open CSCFC Lamballe; 1st Open CSCFC Le Ferte Bernard; 1st Section, 7th Open Wadebridge; 1st & 3rd Section E Nantes in the NFC; 1st Open Sennen Cove also 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th Open in Same Race.

Coming up in the sale we have many of the “Champion Breeders” including three direct from the lofts of Frans Verheyen on the personal recommendation of Brian Keegan all have produced the goods for Ronnie !!! Also the Sire of this year’s National Winner is in the sale “Hollywood ICE“ he is responsible for no less than 40 x 1st prize winners in the UK & Ireland, the Dam was on lone so cant be sold. “Hollywood Blue Bull” Sire to 3 x 1st Prize Winners; “Hollywood Young Pacino” the last son of the famous 1994 bred “Golden Couple” responsible for hundreds of prize winners in there own right. “Hollywood Young Ice” responsible for no less than 5 x 1st prize winners; “Hollywood Red Duke” responsible for scores of winners all over the UK and no less than 8 x 1st prize winners for Hollywood Lofts Ireland; “Hollywood Handsome” Sire of many prize winners and a winner of 4th Open Skibbereen National; “Hollywood Golden Eyes” Dam to many winners including “Hollywood Blue Sabre” a winner on the road of 8 x 1st including 1st NIPA Section E against 4,200 pigeons. Just some of the pigeons to be sold in Dublin on Saturday 28th of September. As Ronnie told me himself don’t judge the pigeons by performances come and judge the pigeons for yourself !!!

NIPA Bronze Diplomas 2013 -

J Brown & Son, Larne & District (GB08H-08254): “Jimmy’s Delight” 2011 - St Malo 199th Open & 36th Sect C Vel 1012, 2012 - St Malo 174th Open & 44th Sect C Vel 1007.
J Funston, Laurelvale (GB10 L-4668): 2012 - St Malo 92nd Open & 31st Sect E Vel 1153, 2013 – Portland 171st Open & 48th Sect E Vel 321.
McCracken Bros, Banbridge (GB05B-39148): 2010 - St Malo 171st Open & 14th Sect G Vel 706, 2013 – Portland 160th Open & 16th Sect G Vel 370.
A Barkley & Son, Kells & Dist (GB07K-13739): 2012 - St Malo 72nd Open & 11th Sect B Vel 1177, 2013 - Portland 143rd Open & 14th Sect B Vel 448.
Ward & McIntosh, Downpatrick (GB10D-30028): 2012 - St Malo 114th Open & 5th Sect F Vel 1118, 2013 - Portland 14th Open & 1st Sect F Vel 1091.
Speirs & Campbell, Cookstown (GB09C-22707): 2011 - St Malo 148th Open & 13th Sect A Vel 1241, 2013 - Portland 117th Open & 15th Sect A Vel 555.
K Carolan, Coalisland & Dist (GB10C-16509): 2012 - St Malo 175th Open & 9th Sect A Vel 1005, 2013 Portland 46th Open & 5th Sect A Vel 1028.
J A Whiteside, Omagh & Dist (GB09V-06022): “Kelly’s Hero“ 2012 - St Malo 100th Open & 1st Sect H Vel 1146, 2013 – Portland 39th Open & 1st Sect H Vel 1050.
J Burrows, Eastway (GB08E-48632): 2012 - St Malo 96th Open & 21st Sect C Vel 1149, 2013 Portland 22nd Open & 5th Sect C Vel 1080
G Benson, Lisburn & Dist (GB09L-11021): “Black Boy” 2012 - St Malo 5th Open & 1st Sect D Vel 1447, 2013 - Portland 100th Open & 10th Sect D Vel 719.
G Benson, Lisburn & Dist (GB10L-01892): “Benny’s Boy” 2012 - St Malo 171st Open Vel 1011, 2013 – Portland 64th Open & 7th Sect D Vel 940.
G Benson, Lisburn & Dist (GB10L-01615): “White Head” 2012 - St Malo 23rd Open & 4th Sect D Vel 1322, 2013 - Portland 186th Open Vel 248.
I Gibb & Sons, Glenavy & Dist (GB11D-13451): 2012 - St Malo 146th Open Vel 1057, 2013 – Portland 94th Open & 9th Sect D Vel 758.
Curry & Gilmore, Ballymoney (GB11B-03642): “Carnrallagh Mary“ 2012 - St Malo 49th Open & 2nd Sect A Vel 1242, 2013 - Portland 190th Open Vel 242.
K Shannon, Dungannon (GB11C-16507): 2012 - St Malo 160th Open & 7th Sect A Vel 1034, 2013 – Portland 155th Open Vel 391.
R & J Parke, Windsor Social (GB09X-38202): 2012 - St Malo 134th Open & 18th Sect B Vel 1076, 2013 - Portland 194th Open Vel 232.
S Burns, Larne & Dist (GB07L-22422): 2012 - St Malo 55th Open & 10th Sect C Vel 1224, 2013 – Portland 35th Open & 9th Sect C Vel 1057.

NIPA Silver Diplomas 2013
B & M Gilmore, Doagh & Dist (GB09B-42378): “Easton Doreen“ 2011 - St Malo 7th Open & 1st Sect C Vel 1627, 2012 - St Malo 99th Open & 23rd Sect C Vel 1146, 2013 - Portland 85th Open & 24th Sect C Vel 815.
A Hall, Omagh & Dist (GB06K-31407): 2011 - St Malo 176th Open & 4th Sect H Vel 1157, 2012 - St Malo 117th Open & 3rd Sect H Vel 1114, 2013 – Portland 188th Open & 6th Sect H Vel 244.
J Brown & Son, Larne & Dist (GB08H-08254): “Jimmy’s Delight“ 2011 - St Malo 199th Open & 36th Sect C Vel 1012, 2012 - St Malo 174th Open & 44th Sect C Vel 1007, 2013 - Portland 52nd Open & 17th Sect C Vel 1012.

NIPA Gold Diplomas 2013
Donnelly Bros, Newry City (GB06B-34752): 2008 - St Malo 35th Open & 2nd Sect G Vel 929, 2011 - St Malo 79th Open & 10th Sect G Vel 1398, 2012 - St Malo 12th Open & 4th Sect G Vel 1366, 2013 – Portland 103rd Open & 9th Sect G Vel 669.
W G Neill, Annaghmore (GB07D-25296): 2010 - St Malo 99th Open & 40th Sect E Vel 844, 2011 - St Malo 96th Open & 30th Sect E Vel 1356, 2012 - St Malo 29th Open & 8th Sect E Vel 1303, 2013 – Portland 18th Open & 9th Sect E Vel 1085.
J Burrows, Eastway (GB06E-72796): 2008 - St Malo 62nd Open & 20th Sect C Vel 724, 2009 - St Malo 181st Open & 32nd Sect C Vel 696, 2010 - St Malo 142nd Open & 26th Sect C Vel 755, 2013 – Portland 173rd Open Vel 312.

Photo Caption - Ronnie Higginson of Hollywood Lofts NI.