Farming Life - Wednesday 05/01/11

[willie reynolds]

Its 10 years since Ballymena & District held an Open Show on New Years Day, a 3 in 1 event was held in the Harryville HPS Clubrooms on Saturday, a good day weather wise considering all the recent snow and frost. The last time the big winner was local member Jack Balmer and 10 years later he had another very successful show winning three classes, plus Best Opposite Sex, Best Young Bird and Most Points in Show. Simon Millar from Randalstown was showing for the first time this season and won Best in Show with a Pencil Blue Pied cock, penned in fantastic condition. Bertie Blair for the local club won the other class of Young Bird Eye-sign. Trophies and Rosettes were presented to the top winners, and a bag of feeding for all class winners. Specials were sponsored by Hilltop Feeds (Ballymena) and Frazers Animal Feeds (Banbridge), and there were prizes for all card winners. Secretary of Springvale Campbell McGrugan arranged the judging team which included Rab Scott, Jordan Scott, Trevor Davidson, Ian Horner and from Doagh Sammy Lorimer. Other sponsors included W & J Smyth, Homer, Bertie Blair, Martin Graham, Harry Richmond, James Harris, Tom McAlonan and Harold Cubitt. Ballymena & District President Billy Smyth thanked everyone who supported the event, Harryville for the loan of the clubrooms, the judges who had travelled from East Antrim and all sponsors, also Robert Alexander who gave fantastic help on the day. He also congratulated all the winners. The show attracted under 200 birds, over the six classes, it was open only to lofts in Mid Antrim and the NIPA Sect B and hopefully next year it will be even better. The Ballymena & Dist Show Shield was won by J & B Balmer and Outside Member Visitors Trophy by W & N Gilbert from Randalstown. Joe & Neal Adams of Hilltop Feeds will be the special guests at the annual dinner and prize presentation to be held in the Adair Arms Hotel, Ballymena on Friday 14th January at 7.00pm. Those intending to attend and not already booked should contact Martin Graham. Tel: (028) 25637929. Hilltop The AGM will be held in the Ballymena & Dist Clubrooms on Monday 7th February, resolutions to be with the Secretary Willie Reynolds by 11th January. Feeds have a special mix Youngster Supreme at £12.35 a bag, well worth a look. Tel: (028) 25648425 or Mobile: 07599 706717.

Results: Young Bird Through Wires – 1st & HC J & B Balmer, 2nd & 4th B Blair, 3rd & Commended D & G McMullan, Reserve & VHC Russell Bros. Young Birds Handled – 1st, VHC & HC J & B Balmer, 2nd & 3rd D & G McMullan, 4th & Reserve Russell Bros, Commended W & W Gilbert. Young Bird Eye-sign – 1st & 3rd Blair & Rankin, 2nd J & B Balmer, 4th & VHC Russell Bros, Reserve, HC & Commended W & N Gilbert. Old Birds Through Wires – 1st & 4th S Millar, 2nd, 3rd, VHC & HC J & B Balmer, Reserve Blair & Rankin, Commended B Herbinson. Old Birds Handled – 1st & 3rd S Millar, 2nd, Reserve & Commended J & B Balmer, 4th R & P Alexander, VHC G Price, HC Russell Bros. Old Bird Eye-sign – 1st, VHC & HC J & B Balmer, 2nd D & G McMullan, 3rd S Millar, 4th Blair & Rankin, Reserve W & N Gilbert, Commended R & P Alexander.

Harryville HPS: All proposals for the AGM should be with the Secretary Matt Wray by 26th January, the Annual General Meeting will be held in the local clubrooms on Wednesday 9th February.

Obituary: It is my sad duty to inform the fancy that Ken Parker (Ballymena) has passed away just before Christmas, he had been in ill health for a while but was still getting out and about. He was a former Secretary in the old Ballymena Championship while I was a member many years ago and before that had won the NIPA Old Bird Derby from France. The winner I believe was bred by George Barr and the year was 1964 doing velocity 953. In the two seasons before that the winners were the late John McMullan (Glenarm) doing velocity 742 and the late Billy Erwin (Ballymena) doing velocity 906. Many would say those were the days, Ken was good at administration and just as good a racer. Due to health problems he had not raced for a number of years. On behalf of the local fancy sincere condolences to his wife Margaret and family circle.

INFC Presentation –

This 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. The new Merit Awards are for pigeons placed twice in the Kings Cup or Friendship Nat (France). Around 30 were won in the 2010 season and those intending to attend the presentation should contact Trevor Topping re tickets. Tickets are £10 each and this includes a hot supper. 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.

Local Club Show Results

Ballymoney HPS: Jimmy Robinson and Harold Cubitt from Rasharkin & Dist were the judges at the final series of classes for neighbouring Ballymoney, Danny Dixon won Best in Show with his Young Hen winner and Lynn Neill had BOS with his winner in Old Cocks. Results: Old Cocks – 1st & BOS L Neill, 2nd & 4th D & H Stuart, 3rd Curry & Gilmore, Reserve & Commended D Dixon, VHC & HC D & G McMullan. Old Hen – 1st & 3rd D & G McMullan, 2nd & 4th D Dixon, Reserve & VHC D & H Stuart, HC & Commended W & L McCaw. Young Cocks – 1st & Reserve Curry & Gilmore, 2nd L Neill, 3rd, 4th & VHC D Dixon, HC D & H Stuart, Commended D & G McMullan. Young Hens – 1st & BIS D Dixon, 2nd & Reserve D & H Stuart, 3rd W & L McCaw, 4th, VHC & HC D Dixon, Commended Curry & Gilmore. Open Show Points Cup Danny Dixon. Club Show Points Cup D & H Stuart.

Lurgan Social: The annual Christmas Show was another top success, sincere thanks to the judges Jim Hull, B Carson & J P Nelson who ventured out on one of the coldest nights in living memory to place the awards. Thanks also to our main sponsor Henry McLaughlin of Coalisland. Through the Wires – 1st J Douglas & Son, 2nd, 4th, Reserve, & VHC T & K Mawhinney, 3rd & Commended E Wright, HC Brown & Shaw. Best Young Bird - T & K Mawhinney. Handled Class – 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th T & K Mawhinney, Reserve C & J Ferris, VHC, & Commended J Douglas & Son, HC Brown & Shaw. Best Young Bird - J Douglas & Son.

Ballylesson HPS: The members of Ballylesson wish to thank Samuel Briggs, Gary Benson and Amos Wilson for giving their time at very short notice to judge their New Year Show held on Thursday 30th December. The partnership of Colin & Dorothy Smyth & Sons won Best in Show with John Patterson taking Best Opposite Sex. Paul & Caroline Johnston took the Red Card for Best Young Bird. The members also wish to thank Susan Albert for laying on a marvellous spread of food, enjoy by all in attendance. Through the Wires – 1st & 2nd J Patterson, 3rd & 4th A Cousins & Sons, Reserve C & D Smyth & Sons, VHC K & B McConaghie, HC J & S Albert & Sons, Commended P & C Johnston. Handled – 1st C & D Smyth & Sons, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, Reserve & HC J Patterson, VHC & Commended P & C Johnston. Eye-sign – 1st, 4th, Reserve, HC & Commended J Patterson, 2nd & VHC C & D Smyth & Sons, 3rd P & C Johnston. Young Birds – 1st & Reserve P & C Johnston, 2nd Baillie & Smyth, 3rd & HC Mackey & Lockhart, 4th J Patterson, VHC A Crawford, Commended A Cousins & Sons.

Ballynahinch HPS: Show Secretary Robert Topping writes “On behalf of the club I would like to thank all the judges through out the show season and would also like to thank all the members and people who kindly donated prizes and refreshments and supported all the shows which was much appreciated. I would like to thank all the people and members who kindly helped me in organising the first shows in Ballynahinch HPS for many years. The shows were enjoyed by all”.

The Christmas Show was held on Saturday 1st January, 90 birds were penned for the judges who included Secretary of East Down Combine Sammy Duke, Wesley Robinson and Joe McGreevy. Robert Topping and his uncle David cleaned up winning Nest in Show, Best Opposite Sex and Best Young Bird. Through the Wires – 1st, 2nd & HC D & R Topping, 3rd, Reserve & Commended R Hunter, 4th G Morrison & Daughters, VHC S & P Logan & Partners. Handled – 1st, VHC & Commended D & R Topping, 2nd & Reserve R Hunter, 3rd S & P Logan & Partners, 4th J Abernethy, HC W McVeigh. Eye-sign – 1st, 2nd, 3rd & HC S & P Logan & Partners, 4th & Reserve W Catherwood & Sons, VHC D & R Topping, Commended W McVeigh.

Results from the show season. 13/12/10: Young Hens T/W – 1st, 3rd, 4th & HC J Gillespie & Son, 2nd & Commended W Catherwood & Sons, Reserve D & R Topping, VHC R Hunter. Nomination winner J Gillespie & Son. Young Cocks T/W – 1st & 3rd D & R Topping, 2nd R Hunter, 4th & HC S & P Logan & Partners, Reserve W Catherwood & Sons, VHC J Gillespie & son, Commended R Trimble. Nomination winner D & R Topping. 15/11/10: Old Cocks T/W – 1st & 4th S & P Logan & Partners, 2nd & Reserve D & R Topping, 3rd W Catherwood & Sons, VHC J Abernethy, HC J Gillespie & Son, Commended R Trimble. Nomination winner S & P Logan & Partners. Old Hens T/W – 1st & Reserve W Carherwood & Sons, 2nd J Gillespie & Son, 3rd & VHC D & R Topping, 4th J Abernethy, HC S & P Logan & Partners, Commended R Trimble. Nomination winner D & R Topping. 22/11/10: Any Age Cock T/W – 1st & 4th D & R Topping, 2nd J Abernethy, 3rd, Reserve & Commended J Gillespie & Son, VHC W Catherwood & Sons, HC S & P Logan & Partners. Nomination winner J Gillespie & Son. Any Age Hen T/W – 1st J Gillespie & Son, 2nd, 3rd & 4th R Trimble, Reserve & HC R Hunter, VHC D & R Topping, Commended W Catherwood & Sons.

Dutch National 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.

Springvale Gold Ring -

Springvale Social Golden Ring Result - 1st S Rodney & Son 1487 plus £750, 2nd A Gault 1467 plus £150, 3rd G & L Simpson 1435 plus £100. Many thanks to all involved with the Gold Ring Race, all those who supported the event from Rosscarbery and many congratulations to the various winners. We are all looking forward to the 2011 Golden Ring, and rings will be available from the start of the year. Just 100 rings will be sold at £20 each and £1,000 paid out in tree cuts with £750 to the winner. Open to the NIPA Clubs in Sections B & C. Contact Campbell McGrugan, Tel: (028) 93 340981.