Farming Life - Sat 03/04/10

[willie reynolds]

The INFC held the first committee meeting of the new season recently, Lisburn & Dist Clubrooms was the venue at Market Square. Chairman Eugene Fitzgerald opened the meeting and welcomed all present including new members. The minutes of the previous meeting had been circulated and there was nothing arising. Ian Gill from Pigeonportal.com was invited to attend this next committee meeting, he had earlier sent a letter offering the club a free website to display race results, liberation times, race updates and general club news. The only outlay would be to get a professionally designed home page with Logo/Banner. It could develop into a lot more, with a Video Channel, On-Line Magazine etc, Ian would either train some people to install news or he would be prepared to do the updates himself. It was agreed to proceed with this project on a trial basis, all levels of publicity were appreciated. For the last number of years Pigeonnetwork.com has been running news and updates, this would continue and Maurice Alexander would continue to work on the history of the club. Results would be placed as usual with the British Homing World, it is appreciated not all members use computers.

Subject to agreement the clocks will be set at the Race Marking, something a lot of the members have been looking for. It will be put on trial for this season, bins will be provided for rubbish including the old seals. It is hoped we will get enough help to complete all jobs, ETS people are to be invited to attend after good success last season when the new arrangements were introduced. Members must adhere to Clock Rule 19, all clocks to be cleared and have necessary updates, vital time was being lost here. The race marking is a big job and we need all the help we can get.

The Beattie Family sent a letter thanking the club and members for their support following the recent death of Henry Beattie, an ambassador for Long Distance Racing and a former winner of the Blue Riband Kings Cup. Henry will be sadly missed at all the functions he attended, he had time for everyone. James McGrugan Junior has presented a cup in memory of his late father, it was agreed the James McGrugan Sen Cup will be presented to the Section winner not winning the 1st Open Yearling National. There was some discussion on the suspension of members in Comber Central following correspondence from the RPRA (Irish Region) secretary Robert Reid. With a deadline on the membership now set for 28th April each year it will not be possible to take fees from suspended members after that time.

The Single Bird Challenge has an entry of 220, the second highest ever, the winner will get £350 plus the Joe Doheny Cup and Diploma, David Black will publish details soon. Their bird has already been listed GB07D08785. The full list is available on the INFC Board of the Pigeon Discussion Forum on www.pigeonnetwork.com

Once again we have a fantastic entry for the Single Bird Challenge with 220 entries which includes some of the very best long distance pigeons in Ireland. The prizes will be as follows, the winner will receive the Joe Doheny Trophy, a framed diploma and £350, 2nd will receive a framed diploma and £250, 3rd will get a diploma along with £150, 4th will receive £70 and 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th will each receive £50. Below are the entire 220 entries, some of which may have appeared in previous updates. The best of luck to everyone who has entered and anyone with any queries about their entries should contact David Black Tel: 07876 157706.

I have been asked to explain the INFC Robin Duddy Challenge. Members pay a £10 Fee, cheques made payable to Irish National Flying Club. Then enter one, two and no more than three birds for firstly the Yearling Nat and then later in the year for the YB Nat Penzance. It’s the Best Ave over the two races, your first nominated bird timed in the Yearling Nat counted with your first nominated bird timed in the YB Penzance. It is not necessary to enter three birds, many lofts send less that three to the race, but the main point is that three birds is the limit for the Robin Duddy Trophy. Up to three pigeon’s maximum to be nominated on the race entry forms for the Yearling Nat and the Cross Channel YB Nat. Hope that helps a bit. It’s going to be another very interesting year and members should pay attention to the on-going discussions. Entries are coming in fast, return the entry/registration form to David Black, 11 Drumiller Hill, Dromore, County Down. BT25 1EP. Phone: (028) 92 692713.

Trevor has everything booked re shipping and race permits and travel arrangements are in place to suit all requirements. It’s a massive challenge every year with a big effort required in planning. It’s early yet but Ronnie Johnston will be looking after the annual dinner and prize night, there was also some discussion on the award for Best Ave All Nat Races, the Erwin Trophy was presented for competition in all races, at the AGM the Old Hen race was removed from the list for 2010. I would suggest unless we get something definite in relation to the Old Hen Nat it will be dropped from the race programme completely.

The proposed race programme for the INFC in 2010 is as follows. Skibbereen OB Inland Nat Tuesday 25th May (race mark Monday), Sennen Cove Yearling Nat Wednesday 9th June (race mark Monday), Plaudren/Vannes Kings Cup Friday 2nd July (race mark Tuesday), St Malo Friendship Nat Friday 9th July (race mark Tuesday), Penzance YB Nat Wednesday 8th September (race mark Monday), Penzance Old Hens Nat Wednesday 8th September (race mark Monday), Skibbereen YB Inland Nat Saturday 18th September (race mark Friday).

Training for ALL

John Lowry of Crumlin will start training week commencing Monday 5th April, he can provide single crates for the fanciers, usual collection arrangements. Tel: (028) 94 459014 or Mobile: 07710 447262. Homer hopes to be ready for the start of old bird racing, training on demand, more details on this later.

Colin Long (Kingswood HPS) shall commence training Sunday the 21st of March 2010 he intends training every day Newry/Dundalk line and shall pick up birds as follows - 8am Dundonald Ice Bowl, 8.45am Kingswood HPS, 9.30 Durham St (behind the black man tech) for further information phone Colin on Mobile: 07894 117243.

Tom Cairns (Glengormley) intends to train birds to Skerries (Dublin) each Saturday morning between 22nd May and 3rd July especially with the long distance races in mind. Pick-up points will include Corr’s Corner Roundabout 7.00am until 7.30am, Park Centre 8.00am until 8.30am. Tel: 07973 113710.

Joe & Mark Brown Training - The local transporter will start operations (weather permitting) on Thursday 1st April and each week Monday to Thursday going to Newry and Ardee. Collection points and times etc as before with usual stops at Bleary and Gilford. Birdage will be a nominal 10p, very good value and Joe can be contacted at any time Tel: 07709 077266.

BANBRIDGE based Kenny Mallen will be operating a training programme for the local area starting on Sunday 4th April and prior to racing operating Monday through till Thursday. Collections are Banbridge 7.30-8.15am (Coach Car Park) and Newry 8.45-9.00am (Old Customs House). Space available for widowhood hen’s for early release. Any queries contact Kenny Tel: 07737 521355.

Andy Milliken, Pigeon Training Lisburn - Training commences Sat 27th of March, On both this date and Sun 28th of March he will be Picking up from Lagan Valley Pigeon club at 8.30-9.00am and Liberating at the Border. From Tues 30th March onwards Liberations at the border and RD, pick up points Coronation Gardens 7.15am, Lagan Valley Pigeon Club 7.30-8.00am, Dromore (Car Park) 8.15am. For any further information or alternative pick ups contact Andy Tel: 07764 158942.

Williamson & Calvin Transporter will be training each Tuesday, and Thursday from Ardee, starting Easter Tuesday 30th March. Birds can be hampered the night before or up to 7.45am on morning of toss at 23 Farra Road, phone Ron Williamson Yard (028) 38 339320 or Mobile: 07841 762399. Collection Points as before: Annaghmore Clubrooms 8.00am, Ballyoran Hill 8.20am, Edgarstown 8.40am, Laurelvale HPS Clubrooms 9.00am, Markethill Corner 9.30am, Newry Corner 10.00am.

Sale Dates

Sales: Corcreeney Breeder/Buyer in Banbridge Thursday 1st April, Ballycarry Breeder/Buyer Sale Friday 2nd April and on same date in Larne & Dist a Young Bird Sale to raise funding for the Derbyshire Family (grand-son lost life in Australia accident). Ballycarry Weekly Sale Bird on Wednesday 7th April and on the same date in Larne & Dist the Breeder/Buyer Sale for Ballynure & Dist. The first sale for Alannah Donnelly is to be held in the British Legion Banbridge on Thursday 8th April and the big Breeder & Buyer Sale for Grosvenor HPS will take place in the local clubrooms on Friday 9th April at 8.00pm.

The Doagh & District HPS Breeder/Buyer Sale took place in McConnell’s Lounge on Saturday 27th March. This was their most successful sale to date, in total the club lifted £1,730 with £1,100 being raced for in the Talbenny Young Bird National, £200 in the Hotspot races, also £391 going to club funds. The club would like to thank Sid Collins for auctioning the birds and all the fanciers who bought Y/Birds and donated Y/Birds. Many thanks as well to John McConnell for the use of the premises, and the bottle of Vodka for the ballot.

The opening race of the NIPA old bird programme will be flown from Tullamore on Saturday 10th April, race sheets and clocks need to be returned this week for all member clubs. Clocks in the old days had to be three-way tested, now in this modern area with one third using the ETS Systems the main job now is to list updates. When the season starts clubs should furnish their results as in the past, if you can supply extra details that will help a lot as will the odd photo. We have always relied on a number of area scribes to supply local news for various publications, this as usual will be listed in the organisation report for each race. There is more to do than will ever be possible to be done, we can only try our best, to ensure your result is listed get the details to Homer, space is also available for all club’s to list results on www.pigeonnetwork.com

The AGM for the Mid Antrim Combine was held recently in the Harryville HPS in Ballymena. In the absence of Chairman Robert Service through illness Alan Darragh from Cullybackey was invited to chair the meeting. He opened the meeting and welcomed delegates from most member clubs, Secretary George McDowell read the minutes of the previous AGM. These were adopted on a show of hands and the accounts were also passed. Main expenditure was on Diplomas at £215, some £218 remained in the Current Account and it would not be necessary to adjust the fees which remain at £2.00. Officials were re-elected for 2010 Chairman Robert Service (Harryville) and Secretary George McDowell (Kells).

Two resolutions were on the agenda, both submitted by Harryville HPS. The first one failed on the vote and the second was carried on the casting vote of the chairman.

Resolution No 1 – Submitted by Harryville HPS

The Mid Antrim Combine remains as it is now with no more clubs being accepted.

Resolution No 2 – Submitted by Harryville HPS

All birds competing in the Mid Antrim Combine must be race marked through which clubs the owners fees are paid to the Mid Antrim Combine. NIPA Classic & National races where the birds are marked in Centres. Birds competing in Mid Antrim Combine must be paid through clubs where the owner’s fees are paid.

Robert Service had a spell in hospital and was recovering well at home, the members sent him best wishes and the secretary was to send a card and basket of fruit.