Farming Life - Wednesday 26/03/14

[willie reynolds]

Mid Antrim AGM - The Mid Antrim Combine had a good attendance at the recent AGM held in the Harryville HPS Clubrooms at the Antrim Road in Ballymena. Robert Service welcomed the members and invited George McDowell to read the minutes of the previous meeting. These were passed and so were the accounts, there will be no change in the costs for 2014. The officials were re-elected into office, Chairman Robert Service (Harryville) and Secretary George McDowell (Kells & District).
A new cup has been presented for competition, the T Shanks & Son Cup will be awarded to the Old Bird of the Year. For a number of years Mid Antrim presented a cup for Bird of the Year, it the future this will go the Young Bird of the Year. The 3 Comeback Races will be counted again in the Averages and a Diploma issued to the winner.

The only other item raised was the procedure for race results. All clubs in the Mid Antrim Combine who use the ETS must on marking night put the Basketing Sheet in the NIPA Envelope and give to the lorry driver. The Knock-off list on race days to be put in the NIPA Envelope with the Official Result and returned to the NIPA Office. Failure by any club to carry out the above will be disqualified from that race.

Kells & District HPS: A club meeting has been arranged for this Thursday 27th March at 8.00pm for the return of clocks, race sheets, vaccination forms and payment of dues for the year.
Ballymena & Dist HPS: One week already done with ETS Clocks, club open again tonight Tuesday & Thursday for return of Race Sheets, Vaccination Forms and Clocks including T3 for three way testing. Training will be starting this weekend weather permitting, contact your usual trainer for details.

Ballymoney HPS: Have set Wednesday 26th March at 7.00pm as the date for return of ETS Clocks, Race Sheets and Vaccination Forms. Race Sheets etc for all clubs need returned 2 weeks prior to the first race. In the same area its many congratulations once again to Jimmy Hanson, top prize-winner in the Coleraine Premier HPS for the second year. Part (1) of the Breeder/Buyer sale was held on St Patrick’s Day, the second part will be on Monday 31st March.

Glenarm & District HPS: The Annual Breeder & Buyer Squeaker Sale will take place in the Larne & Dist HPS Clubrooms, Old Glenarm Road, Larne on Friday 4th April at 8.00pm. £100 to the race winner and £50 the Breeder, to be flown from Clonmel on Saturday 16th August.

Grosvenor HPS: The second sale for the Breeder/Buyer is Friday 28th March in the local clubrooms. Sale one was a huge success, and remember 1st Prize is £2,000. Anyone looking to put up an entry contact any club member or Ronnie Johnston Tel: (028) 90 483625, Skibbereen YB National is the race.

Doagh Gold Ring - Doagh will be running their Golden Ring Nomination again the race is Talbenny Young Bird National the price is £20 a nomination, Open to fanciers in NIPA Sections B & C.

Breeder/Buyer Charity Sale – To be held on Thursday 27th March 2014 in Banbridge Royal British Legion at 8.00pm. In aid of Blue Dove Hospice, Newry
50% total proceeds go to Blue Dove Hospice/50% goes to prize money.
Pigeons donated by leading lofts in Northern and Southern Ireland.
1st-50% divided between Breeder and Buyer, 2nd-30% divided between Breeder and Buyer, 3rd- 20% divided between Breeder and Buyer.
Race to be flown in the INFC Penzance Young Bird National 2014. All Young Birds donated must be in pens on night of the sale.
In the event of Only 2 birds times divided 60% 40%. Only 1 bird timed divide 50% 50%. No Birds timed in race TOTAL proceeds will be donated to the above charity.
If you wish to enter a young bird in this sale please contact E. McAlinden 07771 813198, W. Sawyers on 07831 560399 or D. Carson on 07813 265311.

MARKETHILL HPS: Breeder/Buyer in aid of club room fund, race will be flown from Talbenny on 30th August. More birds sold the bigger the prize fund. The race is Open to anyone in the NIPA, EDC, and Ulster Federation. DATE OF SALE: Friday 28th March. PENNING: to start at 19.00 Sale to start 20.00hrs. VENUE: Laurelvale HPS Club Rooms - All usual Breeder/Buyer rules will apply. Please phone 07716 585335 for any further information.

MARKETHILL GOLD RING RACE: Hampering through your own club and to be liberated with the NIPA birds in FERMOY which will be flown on AUGUST 23rd 2014 £10 per Ring - Minimum £1000 prize money. More rings sold the bigger the prize fund. Any member of Markethill pigeon club will the ring cards for sale. Open to all of the NIPA. On completion of the race, velocity’s to be with A Humphries within 4 days, signed by your club secretary. For any other info Tel: 07716585335 All ring number cards to be returned to No later than the 1st July.

North Coast Classic – The One Loft Race based in Coleraine are up and running for the new race season. Entry Forms can be downloaded from the Website in the Race Info Section, it can be put in the post if requested. Contact Sean Tel: 07548 607756 or Willie Tel: 07709 089233.

Williamson's Training Transporter -
Training will start from Sunday 30th of March from Balbriggan & Slane Castle.
Mon 31st March, Tues 1st April, Wed 2nd April, Thurs 3rd April
Birds can be hampered the night before are up to 7.50am morning of toss, any enquiries call 07841762399. Birds will be collected at these points:
Annaghmore (on request) 8.00am, Ballyoran Hill 8.15am, Edgarstown Club 8.30am, Edgarstown Park (Robinsons Bar) 8.45am, Laurelvale Clubrooms 9.00am, Markethill Corner 9.30am, Newry Playing Fields 9.50am.