Farming Life - Wednesday 21/03/12

[willie reynolds]

With better weather over the last number of days fanciers have started to train the birds in preparation for the new season, old bird racing will start on Saturday 14th April, the weekend after Easter.

Old Birds: April 14th Tullamore, April 21st Tullamore, April 28th Roscrea, May 5th Clonmel, May 12th Fermoy, May 19th Rosscarbery OB Inland Nat, May 26th Fermoy, June 2nd Talbenny, June 5th Rosscarbery Yearling Hen/Cock Nat, June 9th Talbenny, June 9th Fermoy, June 16th Bude, June 16th Fermoy 5 Bird Championship, June 23rd Penzance, June 23rd Penzance OB Classic, June 29th St Malo OB National.

Race Sheets, Vaccination, and ETS Sheets should be with the club Secretary 14 days before racing, Ballymoney Secretary Derek McMullan has asked for all sheets to be returned by Thursday 29th March.

Local training will be starting around the end March/early April and a new addition this year will be Tom McAlonan of the Ballymena & Dist, he will be heading out each day from Glaryford. Contact him for details. Tel: 07561 417232. Homer will be covering the same route as last season, at Ballymoney Clubrooms leaving at 9.00am each day, going to Oxford Island. His collection route will include Rasharkin, Cullybackey, Ahoghill, Randalstown, Antrim and Crumlin. All details will be listed on website www.pigeonnetwork.com or Tel: 07538 238364.

* Joe & Mark Brown Training - The local transporter will start operations on Saturday 31st March every day prior to racing, weather permitting of course. After that each week it will be, Monday to Thursday to Newry and Ardee. Collection points and times etc as before with usual stops at Bleary 9.45am and Gilford 10.00am. Birdage will be a nominal 15p, very good value and Joe can be contacted at any time Tel: 07709 077266.

East Antrim Training 2012 -

Billy Bissett will be commencing OLD BIRD training this coming Saturday 24th March from Banbridge and Newry. Birds will be liberated on Saturday & Sunday from Banbridge & Newry then weekly from Newry every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, collecting birds at the following locations:-

8.00am Dennison’s Commercials on the B94 Hillhead Road at its junction with the A57 Templepatrick Road. 8.15am Millvale, Ballynure Road Ballyclare. 8:30am Ballyclare HPS Club Rooms, Harrier Way Ballyclare. 9.00am Kelburn Park, Burnside Road. 9.15am Doagh Village, Anderson Park & Station Road. 9.30am Lindsays Corners then via Ballyrobert. 9.45am Corr’s Corners Hotel Car Park.

Birds will be transported in individual crates which can be used daily by an individual for the entire season therefore reducing the risk of disease. To accommodate those fanciers who start work early in the morning, bird’s can be hampered earlier, or the night before, by prior arrangements.

Training for Sennen Cove, Old Bird Derby's, and Kings Cup races will be carried out during May, June & July each Saturday from Malahide Co Dublin, details to follow later. For further information please call Billy on Mobile: 07882 293186.

Charity Young Bird Sale in Lurgan -

A Grand Charity YB Sale has been arranged by Kevin Henderson of Lurgan to be held in the Lurgan Social HPS Clubrooms, North Street Lurgan on Wednesday 18th April at 8.00pm, birds on view from 7.00pm. All proceeds are in aid of Cancer Research, Auctioneer is Ronnie Johnston. It’s a massive list of birds that have been presented, the highest quality of Irish Lofts including a host of NIPA 1st Open winners and INFC Nat winning lofts. Each and every one are thanked for their generosity, and all Carrier Boxes were kindly supplied by Frazer’s Animal Feeds (Banbridge). For further details contact Kevin Henderson Tel: (028) 38 327274 or Mobile: 07786 602341. Full list of lofts available at www.pigeonnetwork.com

* Sale arranged by Cyril Beattie to benefit the sport, bidding On-Line at www.pigeonnetwork.com
Sincere thanks to all who have presented birds and made donations, all greatly appreciated. Birds to suit any persons Stock Loft. Any further details required contact Cyril Beattie. Tel: (028) 38840486. Mon-Frid 9.00am until 5.00pm. Sat 9.00am until Noon.

Ballycarry Squeaker Sale -

Following a break in to their clubrooms, when equipment including a lap-top computer was taken plus damage to the premises, the members have organised a Squeaker Sale to raise funds to repair and replace the damage done. A stand has been booked for the Spring Fayre in Ballyclare on Saturday 24th March. All club members are donating a youngster plus youngsters have been donated by the following fanciers to help aid the Ballycarry & Dist HPS:

Tom Marshall , Spence Bros , Ian Gill , Bertie Blair , Martin Graham , Kenny Galloway , Paul Swindell , Alan McBride , A. Cousins & Sons ( Plantation Lofts ) , Oroory Hill Stud , Bingham & Seaton , Joe Morrison , Mr & Mrs G. Robinson , Elliott Bros , Beggs & Hall , D & J Armstrong & Son , Alastair McNaughton, Marcus Morrow, plus other well known names ( to be confirmed).

Young birds purchased may compete for the prize of a special youngster from the well known stud of Ian Gill's. The winning youngster will be the bird putting up the top performance in the Y/B race flown on the 11th August 2012. Many Thanks Ian for the prize from the Ballycarry members.

The club would like to thank all the donors of youngsters to help assist the club plus others who have made donations but wish to remain anonymous.

Please Note: The Ballycarry Club race for zero prize-money so whatever money is raised from this effort will go towards the replacement of equipment and repairs to the clubroom. Many Thanks - Joe Reid, Treasurer.

Banbridge Social Golden Ring 2012 –

The Banbridge Soc Gold Ring Race for 2012 will be the Skibbereen YB Nat and open to all lofts in Northern Ireland. Rings are £10 each and all monies and ring numbers must be registered at the club on the Friday evening of the first young bird race. Prize divides are 50%, 30% and 20% and the club are expecting a lot of interest. Contact – Kenny Mallen Tel: 07737 521355, Terence Lennon Tel: 07711 409205 or Gary Mallen Tel: 07709 287793.

Coleraine & County Derry RPS –

The local club have arranged a Young Bird Sale to take place in the Sperrin Sport & Social Club in Coleraine, on Friday March 30th at 8.00pm, birds will be on view from 7.00pm. Birds have been presented from many top lofts both in the local area and across Northern Ireland. A Sale not to be missed!