Some 200 members, friends and guests attended the recent Ladies Night for the Mighty NIPA held at the Templeton Hotel in Templepatrick, County Antrim. President Alan Darragh welcomed all present including guests Mrs Ethel Halliday, her Grandson Mr Greogry Lutton owner of Sporting Occassions in Antrim, Mr Neil Frazer of Frazer Foods, Mr & Mrs Cyril Beattie of Beatties Pigeon Products, Mrs Maureen McCorriston from Dromore and Mr & Mrs Trevor Topping Sec Irish National Flying Club and then invited Sammy Thompson President of RPRA (Irish Region) to say grace. Following an excellent meal the prizes for the year were presented by Mrs Ethel Halliday the wife of former Secretary the late Sam Halliday from Lenaderg in Banbridge. The current Secretary long serving Fred Russell said that in his time it was the first time the special guest at the Ladies Night was in fact a lady. To cut down the time involved with the presentation only the one presentation was made for each individual loft regardless of how much was won. The major winners first up included, Hector Cordner from Annaghmore, Jeff Greenaway from Dromore, Campbell & Bigger from Eastway, Danny Dixon from Ballymoney, G Buckley & Sons from Annaghmore, Allan McDonald from Portadown & Drumcree and Gregory McAvoy from Beechpark. The full list of awards was published previously. Mrs Halliday presented a new cup to the NIPA, this will be competed for in 2015, the Sam Halliday Cup will be for Best Average, Rosscarbery OB & YB Inland Nat and St Malo OB Nat.
INFC Charity Show – Will take place one week earlier this year, on Saturday 6th December in Lisburn Leisure Centre. Usual stands have booked their space, fancy pigeons and show classes will again be on view. Wesley Sawyers has taken over the role of the Charity Sale auctioneer from Ronnie Johnston who had been involved from the first show. Ballot tickets are with the local clubs, they need returned to Helen Marshall before the show date or at the show itself. Sam Briggs is now the Show Manager and would appreciate any help. If you need any info on the show contact Sam Briggs Tel: (028) 92 676400 or anything to do with Charity Sale contact Wesley Sawyers Tel: 07831 560399. More details to follow nearer the time. 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.
Larne & District HPS – The Annual Monster Show will take place in the local clubrooms on Old Glenarm Road on Saturday 29th November, more details to follow.
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.
Ballymoney HPS – The local club make a start to the show season on Friday 28th November with classes for Young Cock & Young Hen Through Wires plus Old Bird Eye-sign. Shows will take place in their own clubrooms at Ballybracks Road, penning from 7.30pm until 8.30pm.
Willie Reynolds
NIPA Press Officer
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: reynoldshomer@aol.com
http://www.pigeonnetwork.com
http://www.niparacingpigeons.co.uk
Photo Captions
From the Portadown area Allan McDonald (l) 1st Open Penzance and Hector Cordner 1st Open St Malo.
Danny Dixon from Ballymoney, prizes inc. Sect B Fancier of the Year.
G Buckley & Son from Annaghmore 1st Open Rosscarbery both O/B and Y/B.
Gregory McAvoy from Beechpark, prizes inc. 1st Open Fermoy 5 Bird Championship.
“Home Alone” 1st Open NIPA St Malo for Hector Cordner, Annaghmore.
“Blue Champagne” 1st Open NIPA Clonmel for Lee McSeveney, Coleraine Prem.
“King Kenny” 1st Open NIPA Fermoy 5B Champ for K Glass, Windsor Soc.