Take off for the Mid Antrim Combine 2021 –

[willie reynolds]

Take off for the Mid Antrim Combine –

The season started in a bit of a rush with the NIPA making a decision on the Monday that old birds would commence on Saturday 24th April with race from Tullamore, a number of lofts were not trained up and ready, hopefully most will be able to join for the second race from Roscrea.

The planned programme, subject of course to change should any matters arise is as follows.
NIPA Old Birds – Saturday 24th April Tullamore. Saturday 1st May Roscrea, Saturday 8th May Gowran Park, Saturday 15th May Fermoy, Saturday 22nd May Castletown, Saturday 29th May Barleycove Inl National, Saturday 29th May Fermoy, Saturday 5th June 1st Talbenny, Saturday 12th June 2nd Talbenny, Saturday 12th June Fermoy OB 5Bird Duplicating, Saturday 19th June Bude, Saturday 19th June Skibbereen Yearling National, Saturday 26th June Penzance & Penzance OB Classic, Saturday 26th June Fermoy, Thursday 1st July St Malo/Plougastel OB National (France).

Due to the delayed start to the season INFC race dates will have to be re arranged.

Skibbereen Tuesday 1st June race marked Monday, Sennen Cove Wednesday 16th June race marked Monday, Kings Cup Saturday 3rd July race marked Wednesday, Friendship National 9th July race marked Tuesday as was planned. Young bird remain as planned. Penzance 1st September, Skibbereen 18th September.
These changes are to suit organisations starting later than planned and availability of transporters. Also for the two French races we are depending on favourable weather and to stage them later leaves little opportunity for change in the event of poor weather.

Please note that race marking and clock checking should be carried out re the Covid regulations, members must have a time slot at the club for race marking and no standing around or gathering in groups.

Remember the joining fees for 2021 are £3.00 per club which includes all members less those who opt out, and Associate Membership is also £3.00. The Champions League is as usual a competition between member clubs, four lofts represent the club. Associate Members compete in the Knock-Out, League and Champion Bird, plus all the other cups and trophies. From the member clubs I require the four lofts that will compete in the Champions League and a list of all members racing in the old birds to compete in the Old Bird Knock-Out.

I have a mandate from the Ballymena & District HPS to put forward some changes and adjustments, I will get the opinion of local delegates of MAC and changes will be able to be made if necessary, to operate in 2021 racing. These will be subject to change, either modified and/or confirmed, at the next official AGM of the Combine.

1st Proposal - The Bryan Eagleson Memorial Cup be changed to best average all Old Bird cross channel races excluding the OB Derby.

2nd Proposal - Old Bird of the Year cup. No double points awarded in the cross channel races.

3rd Proposal - Young bird of the Year. No double points in the Talbenny YB Nat. PS a bird could win 3 inland races and get 45 points and another bird could win 2 x 4th in the channel and beat the 3 x 1st winner. It wouldn’t be fair.

4th Proposal - Les Mairs OB Fancier of year, no double points on channel.

5th proposal - Former members of MAC moving to clubs that are not MAC members and a suggestion that the lofts that have changed clubs, provided they have not moved address, could compete as Associate Members, if a request was made.

6th proposal – Add the following new competitions and award a winning diploma. Meritorious Award as RPRA (Irish Region), Old Bird Knock-out, YB Knock-out, Champion OB, Champion YB, Old Bird Points League, YB Points League.

Could I ask the local Club Delegates to send voting to ne either by Email to homerbhw@gmail,com or text Tel 07538 238364.

Behind the scenes a massive amount of work was carried out by officials, Fred Russell and Jim Ramsey working flat out for the NIPA and supported by Lee Wilson from the Ulster Federation. The NIPA Committee over the recent times have been meeting weekly via Zoom, we also must thank all those involved at the local clubs putting everything in place for race marking. Massive work by many dedicated fanciers, invaluable in getting racing up and running. Do remember and observe all the Covid Regulations, very important for the safety of everyone.