Ballymena & District – Arrangements have been confirmed for the Show Series to start in the clubrooms on Monday 27th October with classes for Young Cock and Young Hen Through Wires. Penning 7.00pm until 8.00pm and all fanciers welcome as usual, tea during the judging. Willie Gilbert will be looking after the entries and well done to the team for setting up the club. Classes each week will be along the usual lines each Monday evening to continue on 3rd Nov with OC & OH T/W, 10th Nov YC & YH Handled, 17th Nov OC & OH Handled, 24th Nov Old Pairs & Fancy, 1st Dec Young Pairs & Late Bred, 8th Dec OB & YB Eye-sign, 15th Dec AA Red, Mealy & Grizzle, 22nd Dec Card Winners.
Holidays at Herbinson Feeds – The shop will be closed for Halloween on Thursday30th October plus Friday & Saturday and re-open on Monday 3rd November.
Cullybackey HPS – At a recent meeting the local club confirmed the Adair Arms Hotel in Ballymena would be the venue for the annual dinner and prize night, this Friday 24th October. Shows will take place as usual on a Saturday evening starting on 1st November, the date for the annual Open Show will be Saturday 20th December.
Kells & District HPS – The now annual Social Evening is planned to take place in the Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim on Friday 24th October, pay at the door. Included , Raffle and small Charity Sale, always a great night. Prior to the main event the Kells & Dist HPS will present the prizes for the year. MC Syd Collins will conduct an Interview with Cyril & Hilary Beattie on their pigeon racing successes and experiences, presentation by top vet organised by Cyril & Hilary on diseases, nutrition, etc. Charity Auction of 2015 YB’s put up by top local fanciers - Diamond Bros, Jimmy Rock, J & N Simpson, D & R Turkington, Blair & Rankin, Brian Swann & Son, A Barkley & Son, Scott & Clements, Thompson Bros, Alan Hall, Mr & Mrs Suitters, Danny Dixon, Gibson & Dickey, and others being organised, raffle and if time permits open forum as well, as a couple of presentations. Just confirmed Wim Boddaert pigeon fancier and Vet for Versele-Laga will be the vet giving a talk etc. he bred both first and second in the NCC 2014 Final, a very hard race. Homer will cover the photos at both the local presentations, and the report of the year to be published next week.
Sale Season – Yet another top loft has decided to leave the sport, Stephen Cairns of Gilford & District will have a Complete Clearance Sale in two parts to be held in the Banbridge British Legion Part (2) on Thursday 23rd October. Auction will commence at 8.00pm with birds on view from 7.00pm. Auctioneer is Wesley Sawyers Tel: (028) 4062 6861 or Mobile: 07831 656399. Ronnie Johnston will be based as usual in Newtownbreda HPS Clubrooms on a Monday night. On Monday 27th October what might be the final sale in Ireland for Frank Sheader due to his health. Frank has enjoyed much success in Ireland and he said this Soontjen draft will be special. Soontjen bloodlines were in both this seasons Kings Cup winner and also the Millar Gold Cup winner from St Malo. I have just been informed that this retirement sale will be birds direct from the stock loft, no young birds this time. Tel Ronnie (028) 9048 3625 or Frank Sheader Tel: 01944 710384.
Jim Sinton of Muckamore – After many seasons in the sport Antrim fancier Jim Sinton has decided to call it a day, small number of stock/racers mainly Soontjen birds from McKinstry Bros of Dromara and Busschaert through good friend Tommy Cotter. These, and usual accessories will be sold from his home at Molina Road. Small loft 8 x 6 just 2 years old fitted with 12 Widowhood boxes will be a good purchase, a couple of wicker hampers and 2 x T3 Clocks. No reasonable offer refused. Contact Jim Tel: 028 94 468240 or John Lavery Tel: (028) 94 467396.
Larne & District Moot – In the local clubrooms on Glenarm Road, on the evening of Friday 31st October at 8 pm. Chief speakers are Nigel Laycock, whose sale is next day at Chimney Corner, Mick O'Rourke (the ''Sprint King'' - Google him), and Jeff Greenaway from Dromore, who needs no introduction to local fanciers. There will be a selection of top birds from these, and other fanciers, and a supper during the break. Everyone will be very welcome.
New Shows – A new venture has been agreed between Donacloney and Milltown that they arrange a series of shows for fund raising, to be held on a Tuesday starting 4th November. Its 50p per bird with cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd, opening night will be AA Cock or Hen with Special for Best Young Bird. A Xmas Show is planned, the weekly show will be in Lavery’s Bar. Good local night out and plenty of craic, more details will follow. Lurgan Social series of shows beginning on Monday October 27th Any Age cock or hen JTW, with Special for best Young Bird.
Ards HPS – The annual Open Show will take place in the Portavogie HPS Clubrooms on Saturday 29th November with penning from 12 Noon – 2.00pm. Top judges in attendance, 3 Classes are AA Hen Handled, AA Cock Handled and Eye-sign. The show will be open to all members of the NIPA Section F and East Down Combine. Following the show a sale of selected 2015 young birds.
The annual NIPA Ladies Night will be held in the Templeton Hotel in Templepatrick on Friday 14th November with tickets available from Fred Russell Tel: (028) 92 693913. All cups and trophies need returned to INFC immediately, to Ronnie Johnston who will retire from dinner duties this year, Tom Marshall or Trevor Topping. Tickets price at £28 is unchanged from last year available from the Secretary Trevor Topping or Ronnie, and rooms are available at the hotel for over-night stay. Venue again is the Stormont Hotel in Belfast, on Friday 28th November for the Irish Nat FC Night of the Year.
The NIPA Committee met last Monday evening to deal with some outstanding business, the next meeting has been arranged for Wednesday 29th October and main item will be a review of race points to be used for 2015 and a discussion on racing during 2014, including Clonmel Old Birds.
HOMER. Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: reynoldshomer@aol.com
http://www.pigeonnetwork.com
Photo Captions
The officials and members of Ballylesson HPS celebrate at the 2014 dinner and prize night.
Top prize-winner the ever present Old Hand, John Patterson (r).