For the second year the Cullybackey HPS returned to the village for the prize presentation, held on last Friday in October, at Toast on the Main Street. A very good turn-out of members and friends were made welcome by Chairman Neil Anderson and guests included sponsors Derek & Geraldine McDowell, Brian Hayes from the Bridge Garage who covered the Single Bird Nomination for the last number of years with other sponsorship, and local scribe Homer and Rosie. Also present Hubert Logan and wife and although no longer racing Hubert enjoys the job of Ring Secretary.
Special guests were the two sisters of the late Len Russell who had passed away just before racing, the former Secretary and Derby Centre manager is missed big time, he will be missed as well in the show season starting at the weekend. Russell Bros had great success racing over the years through to France and after a record breaking season in 1979 were crowned Northern Ireland Fancier of the Year. A Yearling Nat was flown from Weymouth to celebrate the Queens Jubilee Year 1977, and in a close decimal point finish Russell Bros were pipped by the Lurgan loft of McCarron Bros & McAlinden.
I had proposed this race at the AGM and the year after that the race was added to the INFC race programme on a joint resolution from the late L O Barr and myself, and has been a great success ever since, many would say one of the best races in the INFC programme. The Chairman had a special word for all the hard work over the season by Secretary Edrick Davidson who had good help from wife Ina, he also thanked all those involved at the club during both the racing and show seasons, and all those who assisted at the Nat Centre for NIPA major races.
For the meal well served by the dedicated staff those attending had a choice of Salmon, Chicken, Roast Beef or Gammon and another big selection for desert. Toast staff, were thanked for the meal, and those attending were impressed with the quality of food and service at the new restaurant.
Looking at the race season it was again Alan Darragh who emerged as Top prize-winner, every year bar the one he has lifted the Russell Family Cup that going back to 1986. Top highlight was timing on the day in the difficult OB Nat from St Malo, his Swallow Blue Boy won 1st Sect B & 11th Open NIPA 464/1841 flying 474 miles to record velocity 1003. At the NIPA he lifts the B Fox Cup for the Best placed Official or Delegate in St Malo, the Old Bird and Overall Sect B Fancier of the Year in the NIPA for the 7th time. He won 1st Sect B in the Talbenny (2) race from South Wales having missed the first race and then at the end of the year had the top five in the Quimper Friendship Nat having the best bird in Ballymena.
Looking back to the annual dinner for Cullybackey Flying Club in 1977 over 100 members and friends attended Tullyglass House Hotel, guests were M/M Jack Ervine (Ballyclare), M/M Tommy Harper (Ballymena), M/M James Martin (Gracehill) who with the Club Chairman James Anderson and his wife Jean accompanied by Secretary John Blaney and wife and Treasurer Alfie Greenwood made up the party at the top table. Cullybackey with a membership of 56 were the largest club in the NIPA Sect B, James Martin representing the local press and BHW said he had been attending the prize night for almost 30 years. On this occasion the leading lofts were S Herbison & Son, Sammy Smyth, Willard Reid, Bertie Lynn and Russell Bros who were Champions in 1976. Long-time Secretary E G Leckey won Dinard OB Derby, Sammy Smyth was best in the Kings Cup Rennes, and John Blaney was best in the YB Nat Penzance, after a 3 day hold over. After the bit done last week glad to hear that Bertie Lynn who had won the first race published for MAC still reads the pigeon column each week, keeping up to date at the age of 92, well done Bertie. See you are mentioned again above, 4th on the prize list winning 2 x 1sts and 3 x 2nds in a club of 56 members.
I was present at the dinner in 1978 when Mrs Russell, Lens mother, presented the new Russell Family Cup which would go the seasons Highest Prize-winners. Russell Bros themselves were the first winners followed in 1979 by Willard Reid, Russell Bros again in 1980, Norman Blaney 1981, Wendel Scott 1982, Russell Bros 1983, W Scott 1984, and Hugh Surgenor in 1985. Alan Darragh after a few seasons in Ahoghill came to the fore winning in 1986 and has won every year since bar 2008 when the Champion Loft award was won by Gary Gibson. Some memories there, 30 x times Highest Prize-winner for Alan Darragh, and I think I have been involved with them all.
In 2016 Alan Darragh again won most cups and trophies and despite not sending for Sunday races won around 20 x 1sts. The leading lofts were Alan Darragh, Reid Bros & McCloy, J & J Greer, M/M Sempey, Sammy Steele, Des Robinson, N & S Anderson, H & R McCloy, D & H Kirkpatrick, and Charlie McDowell.
Looking through the race programme covering the top races, Alan Darragh was best in Rosscarbery Inl Nat and 2nd in Ballymena, he won both OB & YB Fermoy 5 Bird and won both the NIPA Yearling Nationals for Cocks & Hens Nat flown from Rosscarbery. Cullybackey just produce the one result. D & H Kirkpatrick had the big early bird in New Bude, and Alan Darragh had the early birds in both Penzance and Sennen Cove Classic. J & J Greer won the Fermoy Comeback and Sammy Steele had the top result in the INFC Yearling Nat Sennen Cove having best bird in Ballymena. The club missed out in the Kings Cup but Alan Darragh again excelled from France winning both the St Malo Nat in the NIPA and Quimper with the INFC, best in Ballymena in both races.
In the young birds Alan Darragh had the top four places from Mullingar, new member Chris McIntyre won Malahide (2) and collected the new cup Stracam Perpetual Cup for 2nd YB Race. New members Mr & Mrs Sempey won the late liberation from Fermoy when half the convoy failed to home in very poor conditions and Reid Bros & McCloy won the Talbenny YB Nat. Alan Darragh had the early birds in Penzance Nat, Rosscarbery Nat and finally Skibbereen Nat to round off a super season.
Many thanks again to the members for their kind invite to myself and Rosie to again feature the racing achievements of a top club. Good to see the former Secretary of Rasharkin & Dist Leonard Davidson looking well and no doubt looking forward to racing.
Archive dinner report 1977 click here - http://www.pigeonnetwork.com/spam/new_f ... =20&t=3394
Photo captions
The officers and members of Cullybackey HPS at the annual prize night in Toast.
Highest Prize-winner Alan Darragh with Chairman (l) Neill Anderson and (r) Secretary Edrick Davidson.
Race winners included M/M Sempey, J & J Greer, D & H Kilpatrick, C McIntyre and A Darragh.
Mr & Mrs Chris McIntyre won the new Stracam Perpetual Cup.
Geraldine McDowell presents the Herbison Cup for 1st Bude to Hugh Kirkpatrick.
The sisters of the late Len Russell present the Russell Family Cup to Alan Darragh, 30 times the winner!
Brian Hayes (r) presents the new Straham Cup to Chris McIntyre.
Swallow Brae Boy, 1st Sect B St Malo for Alan Darragh.