Farming Life - Wednesday 19/02/14

[willie reynolds]

69th AGM for the NIPA – New Old Bird Race Programme

The 69th Annual General Meeting for the NIPA held in Glenavy on Saturday 15th February kicked off as usual with the counting of votes submitted by the member clubs regarding the race programme. Just under 70 clubs had returned info and the Old Bird programme submitted by the NIPA Committee carried almost 2-1. Voting was just over 3-1 for the Young Bird programme to remain the same as last season. It’s all change then with a big new challenge in the old bird programme, cross channel races from Talbenny, Bude, Truro, Penzance Classic, Penzance and then finally the Old Bird Nat from St Malo in France. There will be a race in Ireland each weekend except when we are in Talbenny on 24th May. I said it before there is enough there for everyone, and a choice if you need one.

The agreed race programme for 2014:
Old Birds - April 12th Tullamore, April 19th Roscrea, April 26th Roscrea, May 3rd Clonmel, May 10th Mallow, May 17th Rosscarbery Inland Nat, May 24th Talbenny, May 31st Bude, May 31st Rosscarbery Yearling Cock/Hen Nat, June 7th Truro, June 7th Mallow 5 Bird Championship, June 14th Mallow, June 14th Penzance Classic, June 21st Penzance, June 21st Roscrea Comeback, June 28th St Malo (France) National.

Young Birds - July 19th Area Liberations, July 26th Area Liberations, August 2nd Mass Liberation, August 9th Roscrea, August 16th Clonmel, August 23rd Fermoy, August 30th Talbenny National, August 30th Comeback Race, September 6th Fermoy, September 6th Fermoy 5 Bird Championship, September 13th Rosscarbery Inland National.

Chairman Alan Darragh declared the meeting open and firstly asked the members to stand and observe a moments silence in respect of deceased members. The Secretary was then invited to read the minutes of the previous meeting, and then moved on to the Secretary’s Report which had been submitted to all clubs with a copy of Accounts. A few questions were raised from the floor, before the items were passed. There were one or two items raised under any other 2013 business including the letter from Horseshoe and Drug Testing, passed to the Committee for action.

Before the election of officials a presentation was made to Herbie Boyd who had completed his two year term as President, he thanked the members for the gift. All offices were declared vacant and the following were elected. Patron L Boyle (Dromore WE), President Alan Darragh (Cullybackey) with Robert Reid (Carrick & Dist) moving up to Senior Vice President. Herbie Boyd (Dungannon) moves down to Life vVice-President joining A McDonnell (Coleraine Prem), L Boyle (Dromore WE0, D Carson (Banbridge HPS), M Livingstone (Portadown & Drumcree), O Donnelly (Larne & Dist), and J Kelly (Londonderry).

Chairman it was proposed both Ken Wilkinson (New Antrim) and Alan Darragh. Put to the vote K Wilkinson had 18 votes and Alan Darragh 58 votes who was returned to the position. Vice Chairman S Thompson (Coleraine & Co Derry), Financial Secretary F Russell (Dromore WE), Assistant Secretary G McEvoy (Dromore WE), Fleet Supervisor T Mulgrew (Dromore), Convoyer (K McDonald & T Mulgrew. Press Officers W Reynolds (Ballymena & Dist), S McGarry (Horseshoe). Race Advisors D Campbell (Eastway), G Campbell (Armagh). RPRA Delegates – N Hanna (Ligoniel), K Byrne (Newry & Dist). Auditors Robinson & Co (Portadown).

The Finance & General Purposes Management Committee was elected under the terms passed at the previous AGM to come into effect in 2014. Sections C, D & F were reduced by one while Sect H had two member’s added. The following were returned.Sect A – H Boyd (Dungannon), J Hanson (Coleraine Prem). Sect B – K Wilkinson (New Antrim), G Magill (Muckamore), G McDowell (Kells & Dist), K Kernohan (Harryville). Sect C – R Reid (Carrick & Dist), S McGarry (Horseshoe), W McClelland (Doagh & Dist), W Seaton (Ligoniel), G Robinson (Carrick Soc). Sect D – J Vage (Dromore), A Houston (Lisburn & Dist), A Hughes (Lisburn & Dist). Sect E – K Henderson (Lurgan Soc), J Parr (Edgarstown), S Corrigan (Loughgall), D Mawhinney (Beechpark Soc). Sect F – P Murray (Killyleagh), B Smyth (Kircubbin). Sect G – K Byrne (Newry & Dist), G Hughes (Newry & Dist), G Delaney (Ashfield).
Some queries were raised regarding members being Delegates of their respective clubs, this will be confirmed at the next meeting.

The Resolutions were put forward next, voting as follows for items:
Resolution No 1. Submitted by Wilton Cross HPS
The NIPA only transport pigeons belonging to Members of the Organisation. Lost – For 7, against 63.
Resolution No 2. Submitted by Wilton Cross HPS
The present Race Committee be disbanded and a new one formed to be made up of One member of Each Section. Lost – For 35, against 45.
Resolution No 3. Submitted by Wilton Cross HPS
Two pigeon fanciers to be employed by the NIPA and travel to every liberation and act as Convoyer’s for the Organisation. Lost – For 40, against 43. This had two re-counts.
Resolution No 4. Submitted by Wilton Cross HPS
The NIPA to publish all Section & Open Results of every race in the British Homing World. Lost – For 30, against 52.
Resolution No 5. Submitted by Wilton Cross HPS
All Championship & National races to be individually detailed on the Financial Report. These to include all items of Expenditure & Income. Carried – For 67, against 14.
Resolution No 6. Submitted by Gilford & District
The NIPA to obtain Quotations from two Haulage Contractors for the supply of Lorries & Drivers for the transport of pigeons, excluding the Rigid Type Transporter. This Quotation to be made available for the 2014 AGM. The Quotation to include Insurance for two members to go with the Hauliers to look after the welfare of pigeons and act as a contact for the Race Controller. All details of collection and race points to be given for Quotation. Lost – For 37, against 46.
Resolution No 7. Submitted by Section C Delegates
In all National & Classic races the three hour rule for returning clocks after timing would only apply to birds timed on the first day. Or in the event of No first day birds being timed then the three hour rule would apply on the second day. After the first day of arrivals passed then the Centre Officials could arrange convenient checking times at their own discretion. Carried – For 79, against 0.
Resolution No 8. Submitted by Section C Delegates
That in the OB Channel National if in the event of unforeseen circumstances suck as bad weather forcing the birds to be brought back to England. Then the birds be liberated at a race-point in England that was raced the same year. Carried – For 74 against 9.
Resolution No 9. Submitted by Newry & District
Delete NIPA General Rule 66. NIPA General Rule 66 states: That no liberation of young birds take place after 2.00pm. Lost – For 33, against 48.
Resolution No 10. Submitted by Newry & District
Delete NIPA General Rule 72. NIPA General Rule 72 states: In all races birds be collected at Individual Clubs except in the case of National Races where they will be collected at Centres. Lost – For 28, against 52.
Resolution No 11. Submitted by Newry & District
Delete NIPA General Rule 50. NIPA General Rule 50 states: All Organisations transported by the NIPA will be charged the same rate as NIPA Clubs. Insert NEW NIPA General Rule 50: The NIPA Committee to decide transport charges to Outside Organisations on an Annual Basis. Carried – For 64, against 17.
Resolution No 12. Submitted by Newry & District
If a Saturday Liberation is deemed Not Possible, preference be given to a Sunday Liberation. A Friday Liberation should only be used as a last resort except for the French Race. Carried – For 72, against 9.
Resolution No 13. Submitted by Beechpark Social
A competent Committee be formed to examine all aspects of All ETS Systems and forward their report to the NIPA. Carried – For 66, against 12.
Resolution No 14. Submitted by Blackwatertown West End HPS
That two experienced pigeon fanciers be employed by the NIPA in the role as Convoyer’s for the forthcoming season. Withdrawn.
Resolution No 15. Submitted by Blackwatertown West End HPS
That Area Liberations be abolished and that only Mass Liberations take place in future. Withdrawn.
Resolution No 16. Submitted by NIPA Committee
That the entry for the Penzance Classic be limited to 20 birds and that this race be flown on its own. Carried – For 64, against 18.
Resolution No 17. Submitted by NIPA Committee
No fancier is permitted to release pigeons within a 20 Kilometre Radius of Dublin Airport also no fancier is permitted to train their pigeons within 50 Kilometres of the East Coast of Ireland South of Dublin. The NIPA recommend, that you do not release pigeons South of Balbriggan. The Penalty for any member found to be breaking this Rule will be 5 Years Suspension. Carried – For 74, against 4.
Resolution No 18. Submitted by NIPA Committee
That the NIPA introduce a New Award for a Champion Old and Champion Young Bird for each of our 8 Sections. From these 8 x Winners the Overall NIPA Champion OB and Champion YB will be chosen. Carried 0 For 78, against 2.
Resolution No 19. Submitted by NIPA Committee
Any fancier who has his Suspension Lifted by any Racing Pigeon Organisation and wishes to apply to a member club of the NIPA for membership. That club must make representation to the NIPA for permission to accept him/her as a member. Withdrawn.
Resolution No 20. Submitted by NIPA Committee
That clubs charge all their members an equal price for the transportation of their pigeons to NIPA Races. Carried – For 69, against 9.

Result of the voting on Resolutions.
Resolutions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10---Lost
Resolutions 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20---Passed
Resolutions 14, 15, 19--- Withdrawn.

A question was raised regarding Resolution 7 & 8 in that it was submitted by the Sect C Delegates and not by a club. A couple of years ago it was passed that on a Resolution from Ballymena & Dist that we – Insert new General Rule 3G. If necessary matters raised at Sect Meetings including any Propositions, may be referred to the Management Committee for their consideration.
The two proposals in question were put before the Management Committee and agreed to go forward to the AGM Agenda. It was put to the Delegates if they wished to vote as mandated by their club, this carried on a big vote. Laurelvale HPS objected.

INFC – The AGM has been set for Lisburn Leisure Centre on Saturday 1st March, the Agenda and Balance Sheet should be with all members this week. Entry Forms will be enclosed for the Single Bird Challenge, a free entry once again and a pay-out of £2,000. A fantastic entry last year with the Joe Doheny Cup won by Billy McCaw (Ballymoney), in the Kings Cup race from St Allouestre.
The agreed race programme for 2014 is as follows: Tuesday 27th May Skibbereen North, Wednesday 11th June Yearling Sennen Cove, Friday 4th July Grand Nat Kings Cup St Allouestre, Friday 11th July Friendship OB Nat Quimper, Wednesday 3rd September YB Grand Nat Penzance, Saturday 20th September YB Skibbereen North.

Due to ill health a Complete Clearance Sale is to be held for Trevor Greenaway of Gilford & District. Part (2) will be held in the Banbridge British Legion on Thursday 20th February at 8.00pm, birds on view from 7.00pm. Sale will include stock from a number of top lofts, Soontjen through Frank Sheader and Trevor Ford, Vandenabeele from Harmony Lofts, Willie Tass, Drum lines from Cock Crow Lofts, Terence McCrudden, son and daughter of the famous 147 of John Patterson which has already bred a 1st Open winner. All the above plus 2nd Talbenny YB Nat, 4 x 1st Sect winners etc. Tel: 07831 560399.

MARK GILBERT COMING TO BANBRIDGE - ROYAL BRITISH LEGION HALL FRIDAY 28th FEBRUARY 2014 at 7.30pm. Panel to include Mark Gilbert top International flyer, Joe Doheny former Kings Cup winner & Gerald Delaney from the Oroory Hill Stud in Dromore. Young Bird Auction, birds donated by friends of the club. Admission £5 to include tea & supper. Everyone welcome - Further details contact Wesley Sawyers Tel: 07831 560399.

H Gormley & Son (Monaghan) – Loft for Sale 25ft x 8ft with 4 Sections and a Corridor, walk way along front. £750 or Euro 900. Within reason delivery can be arranged. Tel: 000353 858588809.

HOMER. Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: reynoldshomer@aol.com
www.pigeonnetwork.com


Photo Captions

Herbie Boyd congratulates Alan Darragh following his election as NIPA President.

Thee NIPA presented a retirement gift to Herbie Boyd at the AGM.

The Gormley loft for sale in Monaghan.