It seems like no time at all has passed since my first visit to the NCC One Loft race when the construction of the foundations was being done during a snow storm. The popular North Coast Classic based in Coleraine County Londonderry is the only one of its kind based on the Island of Ireland.
Now in its 7th season in the past six years they have paid out a massive £135,500 in pools and prizes and pride themselves in making payments ASAP after each Hot Spot and also on the day of the Grand Final race when the presentation is held at the local Lodge Hotel in Coleraine.
The big race dates for 2015 are as follows. Six Hot Spot Races on successive Sundays, so as not to interfere with local race programmes and the final race from Rosscarbery. All events are run under the rules of the RPRA, with Licence No IR 01/15. July 26th Hotspot (1) Monaghan from 70 Miles, August Hotspot (2) Monaghan, August 9th Hotspot (3) Mullingar from 115 Miles, August 16th Hotspot (4) Roscrea from 150 Miles, August 23rd Hotspot (5) Thurles from 175 Miles, August 30th Hotspot (6) Clonmel from 196 Miles, September 6th North Coast Final Classic Rosscarbery from 265 Miles in County Cork.
Entries until 20th April at £100 per bird with team of 6 x Birds a special £500. Venture Birds in 2015 have been supplied by Formula 1 Lofts, Fernlea Lofts (D & J Campbell & Bigger), Causeway Lofts (A & R McAuley), Harmony Lofts (John & Viv Abernethy), Nigel Laycock and John Hall a former winner of the race. All details are on the new website at http://www.northcoastclassic.co.uk
We have had more entries arrived over the last few day’s. Top one loft competitors Cookstown Sizzlers (WDW 2014 winners, NCC 2013 winners), Harmony Lofts ventures, Harry Jennings, J Hall & Son (NCC 2010 winners), Bill Kelly, S Graham, J & N Lamb, S Thompson, Adrian M’Keown and another of the Craichead Syndicate Pat Maher are now in residence. We have had another draft of youngsters arrived in the last couple of days. W Neil & Sons (2012 winners ), O’Barrs, Johnston & Ramsey J J Hurley (Carlow Valley Flyers), Damien Maher Carlow, Donal Begley Carlow and R & M Mulholland Newry. As usual these yb’s are a credit to their breeders. Sean would like to express his gratitude to Dave Ward in transporting a lot of the entries that we receive from Southern Ireland and to Jim Braniff also who brings a lot of the entries from Belfast. These youngsters are in the Quarantine Section and will start a five day canker treatment on Monday. Our yb’s are in 5 different age groups in different sections and are enjoying their freedom daily in this nice spell of weather we are having at the moment, missing out the high wind days along the North Coast.
Club Reports –
The local training will start weather permitting at end of March, contacts are the following: Tom McAlonan Tel 07561 417232, Harry Richmond Tel 07796 304926, Homer Tel 07538 238364. In the Antrim area Frank Dickey intends to start on Tuesday 31st March and weekly Tuesday and Thursday. He will be at Dunsilly from 7.00am until 7.15am, Glen Magill at Milltown Road 7.30am until 7.45 and in Crumlin approx. 8.45am. Tel Frank 07596 91222. Ballymena & Dist have some rings left, contact Elke Sempey Tel: 07526 729740. Harryville HPS have some rings left, contact Robert Service Tel: 07707 455174.
Due to the poor weather conditions the start of training for Tom McAlonan & Homer has been delayed one week till over the Easter Weekend, again subject to weather conditions. Fanciers will be kept informed via text messages.
Mark Johnty Johnston - PIGEON TRAINING STARTING Tomorrow
8.15 -TO- 9.15 PIGEON SHOP ON SHANKILL, GOING DOWN MONAGH BYPASS ABOUT 9.30. STOPPING AT SPRUCEFIELD ROUNDABOUT ON ROUTE ANYONE INTERESTED CONTACT MYSELF TO ORGINIZE MEET YOU.
NEWRY THIS WEEK THEN ALL BEING WELL ARDDEE NEXT WEEK ON.....
Williamson Training -
Just a wee reminder that Ronnie's training transporter will be starting this Saturday 4th April heading to Balbriggan/Slane Castle... Also on the following dates!! Sunday 5th April, Monday 6th April, Tuesday 7th April, Wednesday 8th April, Thursday 9th April with other dates to be confirmed...
Birds will be collected from these points... Ballyoran Hill... 8.15am, Edgarstown clubroom... 8.30am, Edgarstown (Robinsons bar)... 8.45am, Laurelvale clubrooms... 9.00am, Markethill corner... 9.30am, Newry playing fields... 9.50am
Birds can be hampered the night before or up to 8am on the morning of toss... Any Enquiries contact 07841762399. "To be the best, train with the best".
Harmony Training - Monday........Newry & Castlebellingham. , Tuesday.......Newry & Castlebellingham. , Wednesday...NAVAN.......Training Toss. , Thursday......Castlebellingham.
Our first Midweek race is planned for Wed. 22nd April. Race marking Tue. 21st at HARMONY LOFTS 7.00pm until 9.00pm. All are welcome to Train or Race. For more info Tel John 07710 644880.
** Our pick up point in HILLSBOROUGH is now a building site, NEW PICK UP POINT will be HILLSBOROUGH FOREST CAR PARK. Please let your friends know, if you think they haven't read this. John.
Sale Breeder/Buyer etc –
Bleary are running a Young Bird Sale in the Banbridge Legion on Thursday 2 April at 8.00pm. Bleary HPS are a club that are planning to further develop the existing club with plans to upgrade its new premises. They would like to thank all those who have wished them every success for the future and who have also given young birds for the sale (many outstanding birds from top fanciers). Wesley Sawyers will be the auctioneer for the night. Could we welcome you the pigeon fanciers to come along for what is hoped to be an enjoyable evening. For more details please contact Rodney Adamson Tel: 07764 277446 or Darren Thompson Tel: 07596 503112.
Mourne & District HPS will be holding a squeaker sale in the Rocking Chair Bar, Derry on Wednesday the 8th of April viewing from 6.30pm, birds for sale from a fantastic list of members, see pigeonnetwork.com
Windsor Social club are holding their Annual Breeder/Buyer sale on Thursday 16th April 2015. This event is open to Coleraine Triangle clubs only. All birds must be in the pens on the night and may only be purchased by members of the Triangle clubs. Penning between 7.00 and 8.00pm.
Drumnavaddy Inv HPS Breeder/Buyer, to be held in Banbridge RBL on Thurs 9th April. Penning from 7pm, sale starts at 8.00pm. Race to be flown from Talbenny Y.B. National on Sat 29th Aug 2015. For more info Telephone 07737 521355 / 07593 666757.
MARKETHILL HPS - Would like to say a big thank you to everyone who donated pigeons to our Breeder/Buyer sale and all that bought birds on the night. Also we would like to thank Laurelvale pigeon club for the use of their club rooms and the auctioneer Wesley Sawyers for his time.
Individual Sections filling up for 2015.
Tickers Team, winners in 2014.
Armstrong & McCrudden Ace Pigeon winners in 2014.
Good supporters of the NCC, John Lamb (l) and Jim Braniff.
Dublin NCC Courier Dave Ward (l) and Terence McCrudden who had Ace Bird 2014.
Ryan Barr, supporter and sponsor at NCC.
Sean Diamond (l) with Jimmy Hanson.
Noel Ferguson from Larne, with new junior team.
McMullan Bros from Glenarm & District.
Hard worker at NCC, John Edgar celebrated a recent birthday.