Farming Life - Wednesday 08/01/14

[willie reynolds]

Ballymena Show on New Year’s Day -

All 222 pens were filled for the big Mid Antrim Show hosted by Ballymena & District HPS on New Year’s Day, 3 in 1 for Old Birds and Young Birds. Since the show was re-introduced to the local show scene, the previous three events were staged at Cullybackey. It was decided on this occasion were would use our own clubrooms at Fountain Place, despite the fact we had just around 220 pens and the parking is not as simple as times gone bye. The fact it was a holiday, the town was not busy and the rain during the day did not deter the entries or indeed the judges most visiting from the Portadown Area. They included Willie Capper, John Greenaway and Alan Beattie from Bondhill, Philip Boyd Annaghmore, Joe Brown Blackwatertown, and Syd Collins from Doagh & District judged the Eye-sign. The same dedicated team who operated the show series, set up the club and worked hard all day at the Open Show. For the second year Russell Bros from Cullybackey won BIS and Most Points, they won both OB & YB Handled classes. Derek McMullan from Ballymoney HPS won the Young Bird T/W and also penned the Best YB, Alan Barkley & Son from Kells & Dist had the Red Card in Old Bird T/W. Ballymena lofts won both Eye-sign classes, MDC Magill had 1st & 2nd in Old Birds and G & A Eagleson the seasons winners of the Show Shield had the Red Card in Young Birds. For the home club MDC Magill also collected the Best Opposite Sex. Chairman of Ballymena & District Tom McAlonan thanked all involved, those who brought birds and prizes, the judges, and all who assisted including M/M Sempey, Billy Smyth, MDC Magill and Willie Gilbert. He also thanked members for donations and specials, and all the sponsors who included Frazer’s Animal Feeds, and Brian Herbison. Philip Boyd replied on behalf of all the judges. Results:

Young Bird T/W – 1st & 3rd D McMullan, 2nd & 4th Russell Bros, Reserve G & A Eagleson, VHC MDC Magill, HC G Bell, Commended B Herbison. Young Bird Handled – 1st & 3rd Russell Bros, 2nd McAlonan Bros, 4th & VHC MDC Magill, Reserve D McMullan, HC A Berkley & Son, Commended N & S Anderson. Old Bird T/W – 1st A Barkley & Son, 2nd & 4th Russell Bros, 3rd D McMullan, Reserve & VHC B Herbison, HC McAlonan Bros, Commended G & A Eagleson. Old Bird Handled – 1st & 4th Russell Bros, 2nd, 3rd & Reserve D McMullan, VHC MDC Magill, HC J Edgar, Commended B Herbison. Old Bird Eye-sign – 1st, 2nd & Reserve MDC Magill, 3rd Russell Bros, 4th G & A Eagleson, VHC M/M M Sempey, HC & Commended B Herbison. Young Bird Eye-sign – 1st G & A Eagleson, 2nd W & N Gilbert, 3rd D McMullan, 4th & Commended Russell Bros, Reserve A Berkley & Son, VHC MDC Magill, HC M/M M Sempey.

The AGM for Ballymena & District will take place in the local clubrooms at Fountain Place on Monday 10th February at 8.00pm. Resolutions for the agenda must be with the Secretary Willie Reynolds by Friday 31st January, and any resignations prior to the AGM.

Carrick Open Show on New Year’s Day –

The Carrick & District HPS Clubrooms were host for the East Antrim Open Show held on New Year’s Day, a good entry again with Best in Show won by Mr & Mrs Reid for the host club and BOS won by D & R Turkington of Doagh & District. There was six classes, Old Hen, Old Cock, Young Hen, Young Cock all judged in the hand and the favourite Eye-sign for OB & YB. Class winners were N J Arthurs from Ballycarry & Dist in both Old Hen and Young Hen, Mr & Mrs R Reid in Old Cock, Fred Simpson from Doagh & Dist in Young Cocks, Victor Montgomery from Springvale 1st YB Eye-sign and D & R Turkington 1st Old Bird Eye-sign. Carrick & District HPS would like to thank the following for sponsoring their Annual Show and Breeder/Buyer sale held on 1st January 2014. Owen Donnelly Butcher, Frazers Animal Feeds, H Beattie & Son and Farm Feeds Doagh, also Ballycarry HPS for the loan of their pens. Not forgetting all members and fanciers who turned up with prizes, birds and food to help with the show and sale. R Reid (Sec). Results: Young Hens Handled – 1st & HC N J Arthurs, 2nd A Neill, 3rd V Montgomery, 4th & Commended P & D Harvey, VHC F Simpson. Young Cocks Handled – 1st F Simpson, 2nd R & H Hamilton, 3rd & VHC A Neill, 4th N J Arthurs, HC M/M R Reid, Commended P & D Harvey. Old Hen Handled – 1st N J Arthurs, 2nd & VHC A Neill, 3rd, 4th & HC F Simpson, Commended M/M R Reid. Old Cock Handled – 1st & Commended M/M R Reid, 2nd A Neill, 3rd, VHC & HC N J Arthurs, 4th S Beattie & Daughters. Young Bird Eye-sign – 1st V Montgomery, 2nd & VHC D & R Turkington, 3rd A Neill, 4th K & F Hagans, HC P & D Harvey, Commended Russell Bros. Old Bird Eye-sign – 1st D & R Turkington, 2nd A Neill, 3rd F Simpson, 4th & VHC Russell Bros, HC P & D Harvey, Commended M/M R Russell.