Farming Life - Wednesday 12/03/14

[willie reynolds]

St Patricks Day Deadline for INFC Single Bird Challenge -

INFC – Entry Forms for the Single Bird Challenge were enclosed with the AGM Agenda, a free entry once again and a pay-out of £2,000. We had a fantastic entry last year with the Joe Doheny Cup won by Billy McCaw (Ballymoney), in the Kings Cup race from St Allouestre. Return the entry sheet to David Black, 11 Drumiller Hill, Dromore, Co Down BT25 1EP before 17th March. All Membership Forms for the 2014 season must be back with the Secretary by 28th April, there is no late date for joining. A club application is the best way to join however If required individual forms can be downloaded from the INFC Website www.infc.co.uk - For INFC History and Results have a look at www.irishnationalflyingclub.com

The entries are flowing in for the BHW/ INFC Single Bird Challenge with more top pigeons appearing. One I missed in the first batch was William McCaw's "Greystone Dawn", last year's winner and going for a Gold Medal this year. In this week's batch we have a top ten pigeon from last year, B&M Gilmore's "Easton Minstral" 9th Open also P.J. Corcoran's "Jessy's Dream", going for a Hall of Fame plus several other birds that were in the prizes in last year's Kings Cup. I'll be putting out more entries next week but remember time is running out, the closing date is 17th of March, anyone with any queries call me on 02892692713, David Black. See the complete article for W & L McCaw on www.pigeonnetowrk.com

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.

Meetings arranged for Mid Antrim - The Harryville Clubrooms will be the venue for the AGM of Mid Antrim Combine, note the date Wednesday 12th March at 8.00pm. Two Delegates from each member club to vote on proposals, usual items listed on Agenda. 1. Minutes of last AGM. 2. Passing of Accounts. 3. Correspondance. 4. Any other business 2013. 5. Meeting to follow. Election of officials will be included, for the last number of years it has been Chairman Robert Service (Harryville) and Secretary George McDowell (Kells & Dist).

Grosvenor HPS – Please note the first of 3 Sales for the Grosvenor Breeder/Buyer will take place in the Grosvenor Clubrooms on Friday 14th March. The race as usual will be the Skibbereen YB National with the Irish Nat FC, 2013 was a record pay-out!

NIPA Committee Report -

The second NIPA Committee meeting in a week took place in Dromore on Thursday 6th March, once again an almost complete attendance. Some items arising from the minutes, a question on the list of Carrick & Dist members requesting to use Larne & Dist Clubrooms as the Marking Centre in the Nat & Classic races. Larne & Dist are to be requested to attend a meeting regarding the use of the club in the Derby & Classic races, including some problems from last season. Some club accounts had been looked at prior to the AGM, bar one or two queries most have been sorted. Glenavy & Dist was raised again under Rule 27, the meeting confirmed a penalty of missing first three races.

Under application from new clubs both Harmony HPS and Mourne HPS representatives were invited to attend a meeting of the committee before a decision on membership was taken. Harmony are based in Ballynahinch where the NIPA no longer have a local club, 13 members are listed with a possibility of a few more. Less than half the member-ship, compete with the East Down Combine. Mourne are based in the North West around Sion Mills, they also have 13 members some returning to the sport and others from Derry and Donegal. They also hope to add a few more and become a top club in the area. Collections by the transporter were also considered with no problems raised. Both clubs were granted membership and we will be watching how they shape up racing in 2014.

Report from Terry Mulgrew was that most of the drivers were in place for the new season, there will probably be further discussion on collection time/route etc for each race including when we have two races on the one weekend. To help keep the costs down income is needed and its especially important when two races are on the go at the one time and the AGM decision was that clubs are collected locally when the easier choice was collection at Centres, or even an Area Collection. There was a bit of discussion on collecting with one lorry less, this might just come up again and that for sure will alter collection times. They intend to advertise for a pigeon man to operate as a Driver/Convoyer, any suggestions contact Fred Russell or Chairman Alan Darragh.

On charges it was left till the next meeting, the agreed programme is very hard to cost. Not counting France we have five cross channel races in a row, how many birds will go each week? Almost impossible to work that one out on how many crates will be needed, we will have a better idea after this season. We will liberate on our own in the Penzance Classic, 20 bird limit will apply this year.

Sect C Delegates have a meeting arranged for Saturday 9th March to complete some business, and Horseshoe will have their complaint dealt with by the Appeals Committee on Wednesday 12th March with a full Committee Meeting the next night. Sect C had asked for the representation to be looked at again regarding election to the Committee where they were reduced by one member down to five. Using the same criterion across the whole of the NIPA it would have worked out at an extra member for most Sections, don’t think we are ready for that yet. A letter of complaint was marked read regarding the selection of the NIPA Committee members for Sect E.

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"Molly's Pride" Friendship Nat Triple Award winner. In 2011 - 31st, 2012 - 90th, 2013 - 51st.

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"Greystone Dawn" Hall of Fame Diploma and 1st Single Bird Challenge. In 2011 - 151st, 2012 - 67th, 2013 - 19th.

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Leonard McCaw holding his 7th Open INFC Penzance YB Grand Nat winner in 2013 468/2,652. Vel 1452, Miles 347.

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W & L McCaw with the awards won presented at the INFC Dinner 2013.

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Syd Collins presents the Joe Doheny Cup to Billy McCaw. Winner of the Single Bird Challenge.

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Anthony McDonnell presents the Friendship Nat Triple Award Diploma to Leonard McCaw.

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Anthony McDonnell presents the Hall of Fame Diploma to Billy McCaw.

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"Greystone Girl" Hall of Fame winner 2011. In 2009 - 127th, 2010 - 161st, 2011 - 86th.