The British Homing World Show of the Year is an annual two-day gathering of pigeon fanciers held in Blackpool, England, each January. It has been described as "the Crufts of the pigeon world". The event, which is organised by the Royal Pigeon Racing Association, was first held in 1972 in Doncaster. It is now held at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool, where it has been based since 1977.
The show features around 1,000 show pigeons and 2,000 racing pigeons. Fanciers compete for the award of "Best in Class" in 32 different categories, one of which wins the prize of "Supreme Champion of Great Britain". Auctions are held at the event as well; pigeons have sold for up to £10,000 at the event. Suppliers for various pigeon-related products exhibit at the event.
Currently, approximately 25,000 people visit the show each year. The event has a positive effect on the local tourist industry and some hotels, normally closed in winter, open especially for the show. The estimated income from the event is £11 million. Most of the visitors come from the UK and Ireland, but the event also attracts an international audience from Europe and parts of Asia. The show's profits are split between different charities, including British Pigeon Fanciers Medical Research, which offers advice about bird fancier's lung. Since the first Show of the Year, the event has raised over £2.5 million for charity.
Contrary to rumour currently doing the rounds the BHW Show of the Year WILL be returning to the Winter Gardens at Blackpool next year! The dates of next year’s event are Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th January 2016. Clarification is required with regard to the article published in the Blackpool Gazette last week regarding a new museum and it potentially being located in the Pavilion within the Winter Gardens – this may have been the source of the rumour.
Below is a statement issued by The Managing Director of the Winter Gardens, Mr Michael Williams:
“Blackpool Council have been successful in securing £1.2m lottery funding to undertake a feasibility study and research the potential of a Blackpool Museum. Whilst the Pavilion within the Winter Gardens is the first option there are other buildings across the Resort that could be utilised. The Pavilion plays an important role in the history of Blackpool’s entertainment and its central position makes it an ideal location.
“Should phase 2 of the Museum bid be successful, and the £21m required for the project is secured then the loss of the Pavilion will be replaced with a purpose built multi-functional space on the site of the Leopold Grove Car Park. “I can confirm that the multi-function space will be in place prior to the loss of the Pavilion. We have already started the process of demolishing the existing car park to ensure that as much work can be done in advance”. In summary, it will be business as usual at Blackpool for 2016 and beyond!
The weather for those travelling from Ireland was terrible and some sailings were cancelled but thing improved enough and most seem to have made it, even if a little late. In was most successful for a number of the local lofts with W & N Gilbert (Ballymena) winning Racing Cock T/W and Old Hen flown 300 Miles. Messrs Edgar & A & M Wiggins (Coleraine) won 2014 Cock Un-flown, BSRF Champion, and Best Cock bird in Show. T & K Mawhinney (Donaghcloney) won Old Hen flown 200 Miles, Eye-sign racer likely to fly 500 Miles, Best 200 Miles or over + BOS, and Best Eye-sign racer likely to fly 500 Miles.
Edgar & Wiggins won East Midlands Trophy for Reserve BIS, British Heart Foundation Cup for BOS Show Racer, J & R Scott Cup BOS 2013 Show Racer, Corpratec Mouldings Ltd Cup for BOS Young Bird, Townsend Thorensen Cup for Best Cock Bird in Show, White Vision Cup for BSRF Champion. T & K Mawhinney won Norman Axe Memorial Cup for Best 200 Miles or over, J Wheatcroft Cup for Best Eye-sign racer likely to fly 500 Miles. Finally Willy Gilbert won David Castle Memorial Cup for BOS 300 Miles or over. That collection for Northern Ireland could be the best ever, well done all.
Edgar & Wiggins with Willy Gilbert (r) holding the Blackpool Show winners.
The winning team from Ballymena Willy Gilbert and wife Nicola.
The Blackpool Show trophy collection for the Edgar & Wiggins partnership.
T&k winner. The winner of Axe Mem Cup at Blackpool for T & K Mawhinney.
Jack Delaney and Ronan McCambridge, win Guy Barrett Trophy for second year.
NIPA Champion Birds O/B & Y/B -
Having had the Champion Bird operating in the NIPA for a number of seasons with the award presented each season for Champion Old Bird and Champion Young Bird, a decision was made during 2014 which proved very popular. At the 2014 AGM a Resolution submitted by the NIPA Committee read – 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 Champion Old Bird and Champion Young Bird will be chosen. The Resolution Passed by 78 votes with just 2 against.
The 2014 winners were as follows:
NIPA Section Champion Old Bird 2014
Section A - G & S Smith, Cookstown Soc: Chequer Hen GB13C-16142; Section B - Fleming Bros, Crumlin & Dist: Blue w/f Cock GB11C-28975; Section C - G & M Atcheson, Ligoniel & Dist: Mealy Cock GB13L-27271; Section D - I Gibb & Sons, Glenavy & Dist: Blue w/f Hen GB13D-06359; Section E - D Calvin, Bondhill Social: Mealy Hen GB13B-04514; Section F - Arthurs & Smyth, Kircubbin: Blue w/f Cock GB13S-86016; Section G - T & K Mawhinney, Donaghcloney: Blue Cock GB12S-58205; Section H – K Armstrong, Omagh & District: Blue Cock GB10A-40796.
NIPA Champion Old Bird Overall 2014 (J Moreland Memorial Trophy) won by Ian Gibb & Sons Glenavy & District, Blue w/f Hen “Lady Sapphire” GB13D-06359.
NIPA Section Champion Young Bird 2014
Section A - G & S Smith, Cookstown Soc: Mealy Cock GB14C-01748; Section B - K Wilkinson & Son, New Antrim Amal: Blue Pied Hen GB14E-03112; Section C - Bingham & Seaton, Ligoniel & Dist: Blue Hen GB14L-20166; Section D - J Greenaway Dromore: Blue Cock GB14D-07313; Section E - D Calvin, Bondhill Social: Red Hen GB14B-02559; Section F - Plunkett Pollock & Nelson, Ards: Blue Chequer w/f Hen GB14A-26244; Section G - T & K Mawhinney, Donaghcloney: Blue Cock GB14D-39710; Section H – A Hall, Omagh & District: Black Cheq Hen GB14R-31007.
NIPA Section Champion Young Bird Overall (The Irish Region RPRA Trophy) won by Jeff Greenaway, Dromore, Blue Cock “Spitfire 313” GB14D-07313.
J Moreland Memorial Trophy winners:
2014 – I Gibb & Sons, Glenavy & District
2013 – P & J Boal, Dromore
2012 – Gregg Bros & McCandless, Ligoniel & Dist
2011 – Donnelly Bros, Newry City
2010 – I Parkes & Son, Armagh
2009 – J Greenaway, Dromore
2008 – R Williamson, Bondhill
2007 – A Darragh, Cullybackey
2006 – D & J Campbell, Glengormley
2005 – Donnelly Bros, Newry City
2004 – T McCrudden, Coleraine & Co Derry
2003 – A Darragh, Cullybackey
2002 – Bingham & Seaton, Ballyhill
The Irish Region RPRA Trophy winners:
2014 – J Greenaway, Dromore
2013 – M & T Griffith, Eastway
2012 – G McEvoy, Beechpark Social
2011 – Gregg Bros & McCandless, Ligoniel & Dist
2010 – Bingham & Seaton, Ligoniel & Dist
2009 – M/M B McNeilly, Doagh & Dist
2008 – R McKelvey, Newry & District
2007 – G Buckley & Son, Annaghmore
2006 – Marshall, Harkness & McSeveney, Cookstown Soc
2005 – Donnelly Bros, Newry City
2004 – D & J Campbell, Glengormley
2003 – Gregg Bros & McCandless, Ligoniel & Dist
2002 – R Williamson, Bondhill
Jeff Greenaway (l) from Dromore collecting awards at the NIPA Ladies Night, inc. Champion Young Bird 2014.
Ian and Peter Gibb from Glenavy won the Champion Old Bird in 2014.