Farming Life - Wednesday 08/12/10

[willie reynolds]

Harryville Open Show –

Over 200 birds were penned for the annual Harryville HPS Open Show held in the local clubrooms last Saturday in the middle of the big freeze. The judges travelled from Ballymoney and Coleraine and included the NIPA Sect B Fancier of the Year Danny Dixon. Timmy Mawhinney from Donacloney won Best in Show to follow up his great success from Dublin where he won nine classes, BIS, BOS and Most Points. He has enjoyed further success at Portavogie, Millisle and most recently at Carlow winning BIS again. At the present time this is the best loft in Ireland and he is now looking forward to the Blackpool Show in January. Robert & Paul Alexander won Best Opposite Sex and Billy Ramsey Best Young Bird giving the local club a share of the major prizes. Russell Bros from Cullybackey won both Young Bird Classes, and Ballymena & Dist lofts J & B Balmer won OB Eye-sign and Blair & Rankin won Fancy. Chairman Robert Service thanked all those who had supported the show, the judges who had travelled in bad weather and all the prize-winners.

Old Bird T/W (139 Birds) – 1st & 3rd R & P Alexander, 2nd & HC T & K Mawhinney, 4th B Ramsey, Reserve M Wray, VHC A Neill, Commended J & B Balmer. Judge Jimmy Hanson (Coleraine). Young Bird T/W (78 Birds) – 1st, Reserve & Commended Russell Bros, 2nd T & K Mawhinney, 3rd J & B Balmer, 4th O O’Neill & Son, VHC A McBride, HC J Millar & Son. Judge Jimmy Hanson. Old Bird Handled (123 Birds) – 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, Reserve, VHC, & HC T & K Mawhinney, Commended O O’Neill & Son. Judges Derek McMullan and Lynn Neill (Ballymoney). Young Bird Handled (78 Birds) – 1st & VHC B Ramsey, 2nd & 4th T & K Mawhinney, 3rd K & K Kernohan, Reserve O O’Neill & Son, HC G Price, Commended Russell Bros. Judges D McMullan & L Neill. Old Bird Eyesign (139 Birds) – 1st, 2nd & 4th J & B Balmer, 3rd, HC & Commended C Magill, Reserve R & P Alexander, VHC Russell Bros. Judge Danny Dixon (Ballymoney). Young Bird Eyesign (78 Birds) – 1st, 3rd, 4th, Reserve, VHC & HC Russell Bros, 2nd D R Turkington, Commended J & B Balmer. Judge D Dixon. Fancy (16 Birds) – 1st & HC Blair & Rankin, 2nd, 4th, Reserve & VHC J & B Balmer, 3rd C Magill, Commended T & K Mawhinney. Judges J Hanson & L Neill.

Trip to Dutch Nat Show -

John Hollinger from Millisle is arranging his now annual trip to England & Belgium next year from Friday 4th March 2011. Foxwood Lofts at York will have a visit on the Friday, then Saturday it’s the Dutch National Show plus Karel & Daniel Boeckx the best Sprint/Middle Distance lofts in Belgium. Sunday 6th is the visit to the famous Lier Market plus the equally as famous Natural Breeding Station, both Lier and the Breeding Station are a Must See, I have been there. Monday on the way back a visit to the top loft of Neebro Stud in Richmond, winners reported from the visit last year and Foxwood Lofts have had many winners reported in Ireland. Cost is £240 and very limited seats are available. Contact John Hollinger Tel: (028) 91 863536, Mobile 07784 409893.

INFC CHARITY SHOW at Lisburn

Raffle Tickets: Would all clubs that have received raffle tickets for the Charity Show please return all sold books to Mrs Helen Marshall. 38, Ryan Park, Castlereagh, Belfast. BT5 7TY asap please. Clubs that have not yet sold their tickets if they could do so it would be much appreciated as it would lighten the workload for Helen on the day of the Charity Show. Everything is on course for the show and the Committee are now looking forward to you support on 11th December in the Lagan Valley Leisureplex, Lisburn. To try and stop the rumours that are circulating around the country, " PIGEONS WILL BE PRESENT ON THE TRADESTANDS" and the usual stallholders selling them, will be there. Anyone requiring clarification on any matter relating to the Show contact Ken McConaghie on (028) 90 644231.

Ballymena & Dist Car Boot Sale/Open Show -

Indoor Car Boot Sale to be held in Broughshane Community Centre on Thursday 16th December from 7.00pn till 9.00pm. Tables at £5 can be booked with President Billy Smyth Tel: (028) 25652604, items for sale can be left at the Clubrooms. An Open Show will be held on New Years Day in Ballymena & Dist, 3 in 1 and Eye-sign can be duplicated. Specials for BIS, BOS and Most Points. Any member donating prizes or arranging sponsorship should contact either Billy Smyth or Willie Reynolds. Due to pressure on space the Open Show is for lofts in Mid Antrim & Sect B only. More details later, Ballymena & Dist always had the New Years Day date and maybe it can become an annual event again.

Cullybackey HPS Open Show –

The annual Open Show will take place in Cullybackey on Saturday 18th December penning from 12 Noon until 1.30pm. Usual 3 in 1 plus a Fancy Class. Entry fee is £1 per bird and club members must show a minimum 10 birds. Members are also asked to supply a prize for the raffle.

INFC Presentation –

Friday 7th January is the confirmed date for the INFC presentation of various Merit Awards in the Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim. Tickets can be ordered with Patron Ronnie Johnston or Secretary Trevor Topping. The special guest will be Chris Gordon from England, an ace racer who has previously won the Kings Cup. This event could become very regular, the dinner presentation is now so large and it’s just not possible to present everything on the one evening. President Syd Collins is also helping with arrangements, the Kells & Dist Moot was held in Dunsilly Hotel earlier and it’s a super venue for this type of event.