Farming Life - Wednesday 16/02/11

[willie reynolds]

NIPA & INFC – AGM on the same Day!

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.

Having attended meetings and now having some correspondence I can confirm that the two major meetings for Northern Ireland based fanciers are to be held on the same day, at the same time. An unbelievable state of affairs, and the first time I can remember this sort of thing happening. Dates for the AGM meetings had been published in the Race Books from last season and both had to be changed, and as it turns out both arranged for the same day. It will hit the attendance at one or the other and for those that usually attend both they will have to make do this year of only attending one. I don’t yet have the NIPA agenda and will cover this in full detail after it arrives, the meeting will be held in Protestant Hall Glenavy on Saturday 26th February at 2.00pm.

The 61st AGM for the Irish Nat FC will take place in the Lagan Valley LeisurePlex in Lisburn on Saturday 26th February at 2.00pm. We have one resolution submitted by the committee. The Old Hens National is removed from the race programme. The proposed programme is: Skibbereen North OB Inl Nat Tuesday 24th May, Sennen Cove Yearling Nat Wednesday 8th June, Plaudren Vannes Grand National Friday 1st July, St Malo Friendship Nat Friday 8th July, Penzance YB Grand National Wednesday 7th September and Skibbereen North Inl YB Nat Saturday 17th September.

Accounts 2010 – Queries in respect of the accounts should be with the secretary in writing three days before the AGM. Only queries in writing will be considered at the AGM.

This year for the first time INFC members will have a free entry to both the Single Bird Challenge and the Robin Duddy Challenge. The entry deadline for the Single Bird Challenge is same as before 17th March, an entry form is included with the statement of accounts. These should be returned to David Black. The INFC is guaranteeing £1,500 in prize-money with £500 to the winner and Diplomas for 1st, 2nd and 3rd sponsored by W Sawyers & Co. The Robin Duddy Challenge has £1,000 guaranteed all that is required is to mark your three birds on the Yearling Nat race entry sheet and the same for Penzance Young Bird. You only need to time one of the three in each year for the average velocity. Any clarification required contact David Black Tel: 07876 157706.

The AGM for the RPRA (Irish Region) was held once again in the Clarion Hotel in Carrickfergus on Saturday 5th February at 1.30pm. It was low key with an average attendance helped by the fact of the appeals. Sammy Thompson a long time RPRA Councillor from Bushmills in County Antrim was installed as President taking over from the long time in office Lyndon Boyle who has had some ill health over the last year and who was made a Life Vice President.

Vice President’s Samuel Briggs, and Jim Serplus. Secretary’s M/M Robert Reid, 131 North Road Carrickfergus, Co Antrim. BT38 7QJ. Tel: (028) 93 362051. E-mail: mrandmrsreidrpra@yahoo.co.uk

Irish Region Appeals Committee: R McCracken, J Serplus, D Carson, W Knowles, A C McGrugan, J Burrows, R Reid, S Briggs, S Thompson, W Reynolds, B Kelly, G Delaney, C O’Hare, W Seaton, G McDowell, D Spence, D Dunne, plus K Quigley and W Ferguson who was added to the list.

INFC Committee: P Smith, W Knowles, P Gault, R Duddy, C O’Hare, D Suitters, W Reynolds, C Lyons, L Woodside, G Shaw, G McDowell, B Stevenson, G Delaney plus J Serplus who was added. INFC Appeals Committee unchanged: S Cairns, J Burrows and R McCracken.

RPRA Delegates: Sammy Thompson, Samuel Briggs and Reserve Jim Serplus. Auditors Adrian Hall & Co. Internal Audit will be carried out by Kells & District. Press Officer: Willie Reynolds. Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683. E-mail: reynoldshomer@aol.com

New Clubs: Derry & District HPS and Dundalk Northern Flying Club.

Suspension was removed on Kerry Spence, now Mrs Kerry Hagan and of the two appeals the meeting found in favour of M/M GF Hall v Lurgan Amateur and B McCammon v Larne & Dist. There is a right of appeal inside 21 days.

Could all members who have not registered their ETS Clock with the Irish Region Secretary, please do so as soon as possible as this must be done before they are used. The Secretary has also asked for the names of all members that have resigned or had a Clearance Sale in their club during 2010/11.

Doagh Moot & Sale

The Doagh & District annual Moot will take place in McConnell’s Lounge in Doagh on Friday 11th March with Kick-off 7.30pm. The panel is Dolan & Mickey Croskery (Annsborough), Martin Graham (Ballymena & Dist) and one for the sprinters Ron McKelvey (Newry & District). There will be a small draft of 2011 young birds for auction and a supper provided at half time, entry is £5 and every one will be made welcome. On Saturday 19th March the Doagh & District Breeder/Buyer Sale will take place in McConnell’s Lounge at 1.30pm sharp. Cards only and open to lofts in NIPA Section B & C the 3rd & 5th young bird races will be hot spot races, £100 per Hotspot with the main race the Talbenny young bird National N.I.P.A. In 2010 the Doagh & Dist club paid out £1,300 in breeder buyer prizes, and with many youngsters already promised from top local and mainland UK lofts we hope this year will be even better.

Panel & Supper Night at 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.

Breeder & Buyer Charity Sale –

This annual Breeder/Buyer Sale will be held in the Banbridge Royal British Legion on Friday 25th March at 8.00pm with half the total proceeds going to the NI Children’s Hospice. Pigeons have been donated from many of the leading lofts in both Northern and Southern Ireland. The race to be used for the event will be the INFC Penzance YB Nat of 2011. 1st will win 50% divided between breeder and buyer, 2nd will win 30% and 3rd 20% based on the same criterion. All birds donated must be penned on night of sale. Some additional information in the event of only two birds timed divide will be 60% and 40%, only one bird timed divide will be 50% and 50%. Should no birds be recorded in race time, total proceeds will be presented to the above charity. Contact details for the sale: T Lennon Tel: 07711 409205, E McAlinden Tel: 07771 813198, D Carson Tel: 07813 265311.

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.