Homer's Odyssey - BHW Plus - 12/12/2008

[willie reynolds]

The Irish National Flying Club Annual Charity Show on Saturday 13th December will mark its 31st Show at Kings Hall in Belfast. This show annually attracts around 400 entries, with the main event during the day the Charity Sale, with pigeons donated by various fanciers, the best lofts from across Ireland. Last year around £9,000 was raised from this sale alone, with every penny going direct to local charities. Since the charity was first set up over £200,000 has been raised, and as Ken McConaghie, Chairman of the Show Committee, said “The most important part of our work is that all the money raised goes to local charities. Over the years we have donated cash and equipment to worthy causes such as hospices and needy families. The INFC Charity Show has reached a milestone with last year marking 30 years and continues to grow and gain in popularity.”

Trade Stands are an important part of the day, with demand for space increasing every year, last season was a record and they hope to exceed that this time. This annual Show of the Year in Northern Ireland will be held at the Kings Hall complex in Belfast on Saturday 13th December. Doors open at 9.00am and admission is £3.00, children under 16 free. The show classes are as before with the exception of the French Class which has been getting dwindling support in recent years. Other classes are OC & OH Handled, YC & YH Handled, and all classes judged for Eyesign. Entry for this is £1 per bird. The charity sale of pigeons will be held at approx 3.30pm, fanciers donating birds should have them penned early. The Charity Committee would ask that all Ballot Books and monies be returned to Helen Marshall, an addition to the main prizes, Tom Marshall & Son of Newtownbreda have kindly donated six 2009 Young Birds. The prize presentation will be around 5.00pm. Over the years clubs and individuals have kindly sponsored classes, if anyone is interested in sponsoring a class or indeed donating a bird for the auction contact either Ken McConaghie, Bertie Marshall or Ronnie Johnston. Rosemary Mulholland and Helen Marshall also have added attractions for the children endorsing our efforts to also make this a family day out. Ken said “We very much appreciate the support we receive for the show and I would appeal to all fanciers throughout the country to show their support this year as the proceeds will remain within the sport”. The Committee this year have agreed that all the monies raised at the auction will be donated to the INFC Transporter Fund, a fine gesture. More on this project later.

Horseshoe HPS: Young Hens Handled – 1st, HC & Commended D & P Harvey, 2nd S Burns, 3rd & Reserve S McGarel & Sons, 4th & VHC C Campbell & Son. Old Hens Handled – 1st, 3rd, 4th & Commended S Burns, 2nd, Reserve & VHC D & P Harvey, HC C Campbell & Son. Judges – O O’Neill & Son & N O’Boyle (Glenarm & District). Horseshoe HPS in Larne will hold its annual Open Show on Boxing Day. The classes will be as follows, Old Cocks handled, Old Hens handled, Young Cocks handled, Young Hens handled, Old Bird Eyesign, Young Bird Eyesign, with specials for Best in Show and Best Opposite Sex. Penning will be from 1.00pm till 3.00pm, Judging 3.00pm till 5.00pm with the Prize Distribution around 5.30pm. Hot and Cold refreshments will be available. During the day there will also be a Young Bird sale to be flown from Pilmore Beach or equivalent race point. If any fancier is interested in putting a young bird in the sale they can contact Joe Morrison Tel: 07723 313342. The club paid out £900 from this sale last year. So come along for a good day out.

Ligoniel & District HPS: Young Pairs T/W - 1st McCann & Crangle, 2nd Smyth & Wilson, 3rd & HC McClurkin & Morrison, 4th A Taylor & Son, VHC & Commended G Kincaid & Son & Daughter. Young Pairs Handled - 1st, 4th, & VHC E Heaney & Son, 2nd A Taylor & Son, 3rd,& HC McClurkin & Morrison, Commended G Kincaid & Son & Daughter. Judges – D Harbinson & G Parker (Glenavy & District).

Carrick Social RPC: The local club held their last show of the season on 6/12/08, this one being a double header, Eyesign and Young Hens handled. Congratulations to George and Hall who won both classes and collect the show averages once again, well done Elvis and Omar!! Young Hens Handled – 1st, 4th & 7th George & Hall, 2nd R & H Hamilton, 3rd & 8th J McAllister, 5th M/M Robinson, 6th E Gilliland. Judge – B Telford. Eyesign – 1st, 2nd & 5th George & Hall, 3rd & 7th E Gilliland, 4th & Nom M/M Robinson, 6th R & H Hamilton, 8th J McIlheron. Judge – M Johnston.

Springvale Social: Watch out for the new season Gold Ring Race to be flown in the NIPA Inland YB Nat open to all lofts in the NIPA Sections B & C covering all the top lofts in the hot bed of Mid & East Antrim. Rings at £20 each will be available in early January. RPRA Licence No. IR/02-09. Contact any of the following – Victor Montgomery Tel: 93-340021, Robert Scott Tel: 93-322798, Campbell McGrugan Tel: 93-340981 or Michael Fasciolo Tel: 07854 910228. Rings will be available from early January 2009. Mated Pairs T/W – 1st & Commended Montgomery & Kirk, 2nd & 4th G Andrew, 3rd, Reserve & VHC R Scott, HC R Davidson & Sons. Mated Pairs Handled – 1st, 2nd, 3rd & HC Montgomery & Kirk, 4th & Reserve R Scott, VHC & Commended J Scott. Judges S Leitch & F Simpson (Doagh & Dist). Wednesday – Yearlings & Pieds.

Carrick & District HPS: The Annual Open Show will be held as usual on New Years Day Thursday 1st January 2009. Penning will be from 1.00pm until 2.00pm at £1 per bird. Classes are Old Hen Handled, Old Cock Handled, Young Hen Handled, Young Cock Handled, YB Eyesign and OB Eyesign. Prizes with all cards won. The breeder & Buyer Sale will be held during the show £500 prize money open to all NIPA members. The race will be Fermoy RPRA Licence No. IR/03-09. Winner/Buyer will get 60% and Breeder 40%, all rings numbers to be with Secretary Robert Reid before 1st Old Bird race. Old Hens Handled – 1st, 4th, VHC, Commended & Nom N J Arthurs, 2nd & HC M/M R Reid, 3rd R & H Hamilton. Old Cocks Handled – 1st, 3rd, 4th, HC & Nom M/M R Reid, 2nd, VHC & Commended N J Arthurs.

Doagh & District: A date for the diary for early in the new year Friday 9th January an all star Pigeon Moot with the guests confirmed later, all proceeds to the Karen Keating Foundation.

Ballymena & District HPS: Young Pairs – 1st Richmond Bros, 2nd & Reserve J & B Balmer, 3rd J Devlin, 4th J Harris, VHC, HC & Commended Blair & Rankin. Fancy- 1st & Special J Devlin, 2nd, 3rd & HC J & B Balmer, 4th & Commended Richmond Bros, Reserve J Letters, VHC Blair & Rankin. Judges – E Davidson & T Taylor (Cullybackey).

Broughshane & District HPS: OB Eyesign – 1st & HC J & B Balmer, 2nd & Reserve H Smyth & Son, 3rd & Commended J Getty, 4th G & A Eagleson, VHC C Kennedy. Judge G Dickey (Ahoghill). YB Eyesign – 1st & 2nd J & N Simpson, 3rd, Reserve & VHC G & A Eagleson, 4th C Kennedy, HC H Smyth & Son, Commended D Houston & Son. Judge L Russell (Cullybackey). YB Mated Pairs – 1st I McNaghten & Son, 2nd, Reserve & VHC J & N Simpson, 3rd H Smyth & Son, 4th & HC D Houston & Son, Commended J & B Balmer. Judge G Gibson (Cullybackey). Old Cocks Handled – 1st & 2nd G & A Eagleson, 3rd & 4th T & E Service, Reserve & VHC D Houston & Son, HC I McNaghten & Son, Commended J & N Simpson. Judge J Greer (Cullybackey). Young Cocks Handled – 1st G & A Eagleson, 2nd & 4th J & N Simpson, 3rd H Smyth & Son, Reserve & VHC T & E Service, HC & Commended D Houston & Son. Judge A Darragh (Cullybackey). Tuesday – OH & YH Handled.

Kells & District HPS: Mated Pairs (106 Birds) – 1st, 4th, VHC & HC A Barkley & Son, 2nd & Reserve B Swann & Son, 3rd Surgenor Bros, Commended H Fullerton & Son. Judges – B Herbinson (Cullybackey) and J Balmer (Ballymena). Wednesday – Fancy & Eyesign. The annual Open Show 3 in 1 will be held as usual on Boxing Day, £1 per bird and prizes for all cards in the six classes. Penning until 2.00pm.

Harryville HPS: Old Cock Handled – 1st & VHC W McIlveen, 2nd & 3rd G Price, 4th & Reserve J & B Balmer, HC W & N Gilbert, Commended R Service. Young Cocks Handled – 1st & HC W McIlveen, 2nd, VHC & Commended J & B Balmer, 3rd K & K Kernohan & Sons, 4th J Millar & Son, Reserve R Service. Judges Gregg Bros (Kells & Dist). Old Hens Handled – 1st A McBride, 2nd G Connolly, 3rd, VHC, HC & Commended R & P Alexander, Reserve J & B Balmer. Young Hens Handled – 1st, VHC & HC A McBride, 2nd W McIlveen, 3rd, Reserve & Commended G Connolly, 4th K & K Kernohan & Sons. Judges G Dickey (Ahoghill) and D Scptt (Kells).

Ahoghill Flying Club: Young Bird Eyesign – 1st & VHC T & G Balmer, 2nd W Livingstone, 3rd & HC G Dickey & Son, 4th & Reserve W & N Gilbert, Commended A & N Young. Judge B Blair (Ballymena). Old Bird Eyesign – 1st W & N Gilbert, 2nd & Reserve C Young, 3rd & 4th A & N Young, VHC G Dickey & Son, HC J Orr, Commended W Livingstone. Judge P Hanlon (Harryville). Young Cocks T/W – 1st, 3rd & Commended Young McManus & Sons, 2nd & Reserve W & N Gilbert, 4th G Dickey & Son, VHC J & B Balmer, HC J Balmer. Judges – A C McGrugan & R Scott (Springvale). Young Hens T/W – 1st W Livingstone, 2nd J Balmer, 3rd Balmer Young & Sons, 4th A & N Young, Reserve Young McManus & Sons, VHC W & N Gilbert, HC J & B Balmer, Commended G Dickey & Son. Judge R Balmer (Cullybackey). Old Cocks T/W – 1st J Balmer, 2nd & HC D Stevenson, 3rd J Orr, 4th & VHC Balmer Young & Sons, Reserve & Commended Young McManus & Sons. Judge L Davidson (Rasharkin). Old Hens T/W – 1st, 2nd & Reserve J & B Balmer, 3rd J Orr, 4th G Dickey & Son, VHC Balmer Young & Sons, HC & Commended Young McManus & Sons. Judges D Scott & M Morrow (Kells & Dist). Young Cocks Handled – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Young McManus & Sons, 4th & VHC G Dickey & Son, Reserve Balmer Young & Sons, HC & Commended W Livingstone. Judges – R Alexander & A McBride (Harryville). Young Hens Handled – 1st & VHC W Livingstone, 2nd A & N Young, 3rd, 4th & Commended G Dickey & Son, Reserve J Orr, HC T & G Balmer. Judges – G Gibson & R Ross (Cullybackey).

Cullybackey HPS: The Annual Open Show is to be held on Saturday 20th December, the usual 3 in One. Birds can be entered at £1 to compete for the sponsored Bridge Garage £100, which will be split between Inland and Cross Channel Racing.

The annual Boxing Day events on Friday 26th December 2008 will include Open Shows at Kells & District in Mid Antrim and the Horseshoe HPS in Larne County Antrim.

Rasharkin & District: Old Cocks Handled (50 Birds) – 1st P McDonald, 2nd, VHC & Commended W McFetridge, 3rd Milliken & Barkley, 4th J Robinson & Son, Reserve C Tweed, HC J & D Surgenor. Judge J Devlin (Ballymena). Old Hens Handled (50 Birds) – 1st C Tweed, 2nd & HC W McFetridge, 3rd D Mairs, 4th J & M Milliken, Reserve J & D Surgenor, VHC Steele & McNeill, Commended J Robinson & Son. Judge T Picken (New Antrim). Young Cocks Handled (46 Birds) – 1st D Mairs, 2nd & 3rd L Davidson, 4th H Cubitt, Reserve & Commended J Robinson & Son, VHC & HC C Tweed. Judge L Russell (Cullybackey). Young Hens Handled (46 Birds) – 1st J Robinson & Son, 2nd L Davidson, 3rd, VHC & Commended D Mairs, 4th H Cubitt, Reserve J & M Milliken, HC C Tweed. Judge E Davidson (Cullybackey). This Week – Champions, Fancy, YB & OB Eyesign.

Ballymoney HPS: Old Cock Handled – 1st, 3rd, Reserve & VHC D Dixon, 2nd & 4th L Neill, HC B & I Stewart, Commended J Connolly. Old Hen Handled – 1st & Special J Connolly, 2nd & HC D Dixon, 3rd L Neill, 4th J Connolly, Reserve, VHC & Commended B & I Stewart. Young Pieds T/W – 1st, 2nd & 4th L Neill, 3rd & VHC D Dixon, Reserve & Commended B & I Stewart, HC D & G McMullan. Judges – J Harris & T McAlonan (Ballymena & District). Friday – Old Birds & Young Birds T/W, Handled and Eyesign.

Ashfield HPS: Annual Xmas Show in the Dromore HPS Clubrooms on Saturday 20th December penning from 11.00am until 1.00pm for 3 in 1. Entry is £1 per bird with prizes for all cards. The usual Specials, BIS, BOS, Best YB etc and thanks to Secretary Joe Topley for the info.

Dromara HPS Christmas Show will be held on Wednesday 17th December, Handled, Eyesign and Through the Wires with prizes for all cards. Penning will be between 6pm and 7pm. The show is open to everyone and supper will be provided. For more details contact David Black Tel: 07876 157706. Result of Dromara HPS third double header show, judged by Gregory McAvoy, Dromore. Any Age Cock - 1st T. & K. Mawhinney, 2nd N. Black & Son, 3rd, T. & K. Mawhinney, 4th Brown & Shaw, VHC, Russell Bros, HC, Mr & Mrs Stevenson, C, Mr & Mrs Stevenson. Any Age Hen, 1st, Russell Bros, 2nd, Brown & Shaw, 3rd, T. & K. Mawhinney, 4th, McKinstry Bros., VHC, H. Silcock, HC, N. Black & Son, C, N. Black & Son.

Millisle & District HPS: The local East Down Combine club held the Xmas Show in the Portavogie Clubrooms on Saturday 6th December, the club would like to thank auctioneer John Hollinger, and all those who kindly donated young birds and sponsored the show. Thanks again to Portavogie HPS for the generous use of the clubrooms for the afternoon. Best in Show was won by the Newtownards loft of Plunkett, Pollock & Nelson with Best Opposite Sex going to local ace James Bunting. AAC Handled – 1st J Bunting, 2nd Plunkett, Pollock & Nelson, 3rd J Rankin, 4th H & S Muckle, Reserve & HC P P Nelson, VHC A McDowell, Commended Ferguson & Wilkinson. Judge Young & McCormick. AAH Handled – 1st Plunkett, Pollock & Nelson, 2nd & 4th J Rankin, 3rd & Reserve A McDowell, VHC Ferguson & Wilkinson, HC & Commended N & T McMaster. Judge K McCutcheon. Eyesign – 1st, Reserve, HC & Commended N & T McMaster, 2nd J Orr, 3rd J Keenan & Sons, 4th H & S Muckle, VHC Plunkett, Pollock & Nelson. Judge F Gilmore. Thanks to Secretary Adam Muckle for the info.

Portavogie HPS: YB Eyesign 1st & Reserve H & A Keenan & Partners, 2nd Agar Bros, 3rd & Commended B & G Cochrane, 4th G Hawthorne, VHC G Coffey, HC W & N Cully. OB Eyesign – 1st G Coffey, 2nd & 3rd N & T McMaster, 4th & HC B & G Cochrane, Reserve J & R Young & Sons, VHC L Young, Commended J Keenan & Sons. Judge Roy Warke. Next Show Friday 12/12/08 is AACH, AAHH, and Eyesign.

This is the first of three columns being prepared over the next few days to cover the BHW issues over the holiday period. If you have any news needing published before the end of the year please forward it ASAP.

As usual we will do our very best to have everything published, a new Pigeon Forum and Auction Listings are now available on www.pigeonnetwork.com