Homer's Odyssey - 13/02/09

[willie reynolds]

While in Coleraine during the weekend I decided to call and see one of the most eagerly awaited projects of 2009 that being the new one loft race in Ireland, namely the North Coast Classic run by Trevor Steele and Sean Diamond. I am sure many of you have already seen the boys around all the big shows over the winter period including Dublin, Belfast and Blackpool to name a few, they have in fact been on the road promoting this excellent and meticulously well thought out project for the last number of months including engaging with the general public in Town Centers around the area and on top of this they have been actively involved with the Tourism Board and rightly so, as the loft is sited only a few miles from the world famous Giant's Causeway which is Northern Ireland’s Premier tourist attraction with tens of thousands of visitors flocking to see the one and only World Heritage site within Northern Ireland. The North Coast of Ireland is over flowing with beauty and will make for a great location for the many visitors expected to attend during the course of this very much awaited and anticipated one loft race with the final race scheduled to be flown from Cork City weather permitting of course on Sunday 6th of September a distance of 240 miles to the loft.

The loft is expected to open on Sunday 15th of February for entries and when I arrived yesterday in blizzard conditions the men where working their socks off in extreme conditions making sure that all was being kept on schedule. Paul O’Connor and his team looked to have commissioned an excellent piece of work, with the last pieces of the loft arriving while I was there. Most of the loft was built in sections locally at a barn loaned out free to the boys from Harry Gregg who was a former goal keeper for Manchester United. The loft will measure something in the region of 140ft by 16ft when completed, 20ft of this will be allocated to office space, with a sectional aviary running the full length of the loft, it looks the business guys to be honest There are still spaces available and birds will be accepted into the loft every Sunday from 10am to 4pm right up to the 10th of May, so still some time guys to get your application in, the price per youngster (‘Activated Bird’) is £100 or 114 Euro again the Euro price as I am sure you can appreciate is always changing so best to contact the office before sending your application if paying by Euro’s. The guys also offer you the chance to enter a second pigeon (reserve) at the cost of £50, if your 1st activated pigeon is lost before the 1st Hot Spot your reserve will be activated free of charge.

To me the boys have left no stone unturned in the pursuit to make this race as they quoted “One of the Top One Loft Races in Europe” the agree it will take time but they make no outlandish statements other than you can be assured of their honesty and transparency at all times and all fanciers entering the race can be assured that your entry/entries will be given the same opportunity as every other pigeon in the loft.
They have worked closely with all the clubs in Ireland in offering them one free entry for their Club should they get some of the club members or a syndicate of club members to participate in the race, the free entry can either be auctioned by the Club or they can enter a Club bird with all the winnings going to the Club it is their own choice, you have a few options another option to consider as a Club is volunteering to oversee ringing and convoying in any 1 of the six main events. This involves at least four members of your Club attending to supervise and race mark the birds which will be during the Hot Spot events and final race, we still need four more paces filled and any Club interested should contact Trevor Steele or Sean Diamond. Each participating Club will receive one FREE entry for their Club which can be auctioned, raffled or just compete in the Clubs Name.

Entries as you can imagine have been rolling in thick and fast and entries have been received from all over Ireland, including many from England, Scotland and Wales. Not to mention already confirmed entries from Belgium, Germany and the USA. The Promotions team have been inundated with requests for info regarding accommodation, entertainment, family attractions and all the rest, it is a wonderful part of the world to visit and the local entertainment and food is fantastic, nearly forgot another one to visit should you decide to make a weekend of it is the famous Bushmills Distillery which is just a few minutes from the loft location. There is an overwhelming amount to see and do, just lift the phone and the North Coast Classic promotions team will point you in the right direction.

Representatives from TAURIS, the E.T.S. sponsors will be visiting the loft to install the timing system shortly. The intention is to have traps fitted to all the sections. It is also hoped that the boys will be organising a hospitality evening with the main sponsors who as mentioned above include TAURIS and VERSELE LAGA both sponsorship deals gained through N.Ireland agent who are of course the wonderful Beattie Family from Portadown, the night has been pencilled in for the end of March start of April and I will keep you posted through the column when all is finalised.

All fanciers interested in this extremely professionally run event, order Entry Forms etc ring the office staff for a copy. Tel: (028) 70 326460, Mobile: 07651 063236.

Cowan Balmer and wife Molly a relation of my own have done a power of work for the Ahoghill Flying Club going back many years, where fund raising was concerned they were second to none. In appreciation Molly was the invited guest at the dinner and prize night held on Saturday evening in the Ballymena Utd Social Club at Warden Street. Cowan himself was not able to be present but I was glad to hear that he attends to the birds every single day and that is excellent progress. Young son John has been getting a few good results so it might be a case of watch out this year Young McManus. Paddy as usual had another fantastic season which included timing a good bird from France, he won 1st Club from St Malo in what turned out a hard OB Nat race. Geoff Dickey racing to a new loft had a super season as well and came very close to winning from Sennen Cove. In the Blue Riband YB Nat good friend Tom Cotter timed an early arrival to take 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 5th North Sect and 5th Open INFC. On the same day and having a best racing season Jimmy Orr & Son had the early arrival in the Old Hen National and finished a good 10th Open INFC. Geoff Dickey took the top awards in the Brooke Supplies sponsored 2 Bird Club, Darren has been a good supporter over the last few years. NIPA Press Officer Homer was invited to attend and cover the photos, that turned out some experience. This is another club I have been covering for several years and I hope I have the health to cover them for many more. More details will follow when I get the prize list and more info.

Millisle & District will host a Pigeon Moot in the Ards Sailing Club on the Portaferry Road about 3 miles from Ards itself. A top class club, bar, plenty of parking, hot meal served. Pay at the door, just £5 and the Pigeon Moot will be chaired by Ronnie Johnston Irish Rover of the Racing Pigeon. Other panel members include David Black a former Kings Cup winner, Mo McCorriston a top lady racer from Dromore and NIPA Secretary Fred Russell who should be able to answer plenty of questions regarding ETS. Also on the panel Michael Watts who is a top local Vet, all in all a top night guaranteed.

Banbridge HPS will have the annual Panel/Supper Night & Auction in the Banbridge British Legion on Friday 27th February at 8.00pm. All fanciers welcome, £2 pay at the door.

The Fanciers Combine report a good membership for a new racing season, the race programme will be published just as soon as it is available. In 2009 the members will be using a new transporter and the old one will continue to be used for a number of Open Races.

Coalisland & District will be moving to new clubrooms and to assist a fund raising Squeaker Sale will be held on Wednesday 18th March in Annaghmore. Birds have been promised from numerous top lofts, more details will be published later. Please note the sale has been brought forward by one day.

Laurelvale HPS will have a Young Bird Sale in aid of new clubrooms to be held on Friday 27th March at 7.30pm in the Banbridge British Legion. Auctioneer is Ronnie Johnston. All members to notify Clive, Robert or Jeffery on or before 21st February for advert purposes.

The 64th Annual General Meeting of the NIPA will be held in the Protestant Hall, Glenavy on Saturday 14th February 2009, starting at 2.00pm sharp. It should be noted that only Delegates can vote or enter into the business of the meeting and Official Delegate Cards have been issued to each member club. These cards will be required in the recording of votes, each Delegate must ensure to have his Official Delegate Card. No discussion on the Resolutions, all Delegates voting at the AGM of the NIPA must have a signed statement from their clubs confirming that their club held a meeting to mandate their Delegates on how to vote.

The Resolutions are self explanatory they are an attempt to explain to the members what is, in fact, the proper procedure. If you need any further clarification please do not hesitate and contact Secretary Fred Russell.

SALE – 2009 Young Birds bred from Stock Birds (First Round)
At Glenavy Protestant Hall, Saturday 14th February, Doors open 1.30pm

Two of the top flyers in Northern Ireland
Joe & Mark Brown (Dollingstown HPS).

Bloodlines: Walter Docx, Frans Van Wildemeersch, Staf Van Reet, Busschaert, Jos Soontjen, Wal Soontjen, Norbert Sion. Long Distance inc. Black, Darragh, Beattie, Hine, Malcolmson, Anderson etc.

Many 1st prizewinners and prizewinners reported from last year’s sale.
Price on the Pen £30 each or 10 for £250. Please Note – This Sale is downstairs in Glenavy. For more info – Tel: (028) 38 328293, Mobile: 07709 077266.

Escaped a Blue hen, in the Craigavon area, ring number NEHU O5NY 2462, reward for return. Tel: (028)38 832476.

Willie Reynolds
NIPA - Press Officer
Tel/Fax (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 079396 84876
E-mail: reynoldshomer@aol.com
http://www.pigeonnetwork.com
http://www.niparacingpigeons.co.uk