Farming Life - Wednesday 09/02/11

[willie reynolds]

The AGM season is in full swing making decisions regarding the new racing season, the NIPA have a meeting arranged for this week to set the agenda and deal with accounts etc. The RPRA (Irish Region) meeting was held in Carrickfergus last Saturday and a short report will follow. The INFC details will also follow shortly and the dates of meetings etc will be published soon.

Millisle Charity Moot -

Millisle & District club have arranged a Charity Quiz night for Friday 11th February in the First & Last Pub in Millisle starting at 7.30pm. Irish Rover Mr Ronnie Johnston will be in the chair and the panel will be David Braniff, Mickey McConville, Wesley Sawyers and Millen Bros. It should all be very interesting, tickets are £5 including a small buffet, and a select draft of birds will be sold. Chairman John Hollinger of Millisle & Dist thanked the panel and he said the donors of the birds gave without hesitation. On view for the first time will be a DVD featuring Billy Erwin, Jack Gilmour, John Patterson and Frankie Phillips, a real blast from the Past! Well done to all concerned, it should be a great night in Millisle. Ten of the best young birds in GB will be for sale, telephone bids to Ronnie Johnston (028) 9048 3625. Top National lofts include M Maguire & Son, Alan Darragh, Ron Williamson, N Black & Sons, Gregg Bros & McCandless, Jeff Greenaway, Sheldon Leonard, Gordon Bros & Sons, Cromie & Magee and Wesley Sawyers. All proceeds to charity, you can pay at the door.

Panel & Sale night in Banbridge

Banbridge HPS is holding a Panel Supper Night and Auction in Banbridge British Legion on Friday 25th February commencing at 7.30 pm. The panel for the evening includes David Black, Norman Thompson and John Hollinger, all expert lofts at the distance. Six top class young birds will also be for sale. Everybody will be made welcome. Admission just £3.00 which includes Supper.

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.

JOE & MARK Brown, Lurgan, Northern Ireland. BT66 7BX

Due to such a demand all the early bred youngsters have been sold and the annual sale held in Glenavy each February will not take place. Birds from the 2nd Round will be available during March, 2nd and 3rd week. Bloodlines: Soontjen, Busschaert, FVW, SVR, Darragh, Beattie, Docx, Jacobs, Ken Hine, Van de Rhees etc – Don’t Wait, Order NOW! Tel: Mark or Joe 07709 077266.

Big Season for Randalstown HPS -

Randalstown HPS was one of the last clubs to join the Mid Antrim Combine, they have a long history racing in the local area and the late Arthur Simpson brought fame to the village club when winning the famous Kings Cup with the great “Champion Shean”, one of the very few birds to win both the Kings Cup and a Hall of Fame Diploma. The fancy will also long remember the late Bob Bell who was secretary of the club for over 50 years and the late John Kyle a long time Chairman who served a term as President of the NIPA. John Millar was secretary for a number of years recently but this year due to work and other pressures has given the racing of birds up. The new man covering admin is a far out relation Simon Millar who comes from a family with a long history in the birds, Simon in a very short period of time is both a top show loft and won most races in 2010 to take top prize-winner. Garry McAllister & Son won both the French races into Mid Antrim Combine, very few clubs other that Cullybackey have managed that feat locally and again this will be long remembered.