Before the meal grace was said by Gordon Kirkpatrick, who is a new member to the club this year along with John McCleary, Walker Bros and Laurence Fryers and it was great to see these members and their wives at the dinner. Also making his first appearance at the prize-giving was Alistair Bradley and it was good to have old friend Joe Cromie back with us, Joe also had his good friend Paddy Lue with him and the club would like to thank Paddy who was chief photographer for the night. We started off with the presenting of the prize cards, this was carried out by one of the East Down Combine's top racers Brian Hogg who was there as a guest of Tom Marshall's. Top prize-winner was N.Black & Son then McKinstry Bros, Mr & Mrs Stevenson ,Cromie & Magee & Son followed by the rest of the members.
Next it was the cup and trophy distribution, and I'm sure all the members will like to give their thanks to Bobby Stevenson for his fine work in collecting all the trophies, cleaning and displaying them on the night, a job he does every year. N.Black & Son won the much coveted Dr McBride cup for the channel average plus trophies for Bude, Sennen Cove, Penzance, St Malo, Vannes and Penzance Y.B., but some of the biggest cheers of the night were for John McCleary first Tallbeny, C & L Fryers second Tallbeny (1st Section), Russell Bros Fermoy Y.B. (1st Section), Cromie & Magee & Son Tullamore Y.B.(1st Section), Walker Bros Rosscarbery Yearling (1st Section) and McKinstry Bros Clonmel (1st Section). The McKinstry Bros Albert and Stanley completed a great double in the young birds, not only did they win two sections but won the N.I.P.A. Open twice, a fantastic achievement. During the year the club members won a total of seven sections and two Opens racing with the N.I.P.A., plus a host of top I.N.F.C. prizes. The club members had a great team performance in the I.N.F.C. young bird Skibbereen where seven members had a total of twenty four birds in the result and won over £2500 between them.
After all the cups were presented John McCleary handed over a beautiful bouquet of flowers to Fiona Stevenson for all her tea making duties throughout the year, which is very much appreciated by all the members. Dromara H.P.S seems to be the only pigeon club around to be bucking the trend in declining membership , last year we had five new members join and just recently we had two new starts join our happy band. I would like to add that it's was not just in the competitions that members have had success it's in the smooth running of the club, with every one doing their own special jobs, the friendship and camaraderie of the members is something that is very special and hard to find.
The members and guests who attended the presentation of trophies.
Fiona Stevenson is presented with her bouquet of flowers by John McCleary.
A happy Albert McKinstry collects his trophy from Brian Hogg.
Laurence Fryers collects his trophy for 2nd Talbenny.
John McCleary receives his trophy for 1st Talbenny.
The popular Joe Cromie wins the Solid Silver Cup.
Ian Black collects the Cross Channel Average Cup.
Fiona Stevenson collects the trophy for Rosscarbery from Brian Hogg.