Farming Life - Wednesday 04/04/12

[willie reynolds]

Following a meeting last week between the I.H.U. and the Aircorp. Henry Byrne issued the following statement.

{1} The Aircorp intends to ask the police to arrest any fanciers/trainers that release birds on the following routes.
{2} Nass road from Balldonnell Airdrome
{3} Nass road as far as Naas
{4} Punchestown
{5} Nass as far as the Curragh
{6} The Curragh
{7} Kilcullen
{8} Carlow
{9} and as far as Portlaoise

{8} The Aircorp wants all fanciers and trainers to train from the points along the East Coast. If fanciers continue to train birds from these points then the Aircorp intend to have a squad of personal on the runway at Baldonnel with the intention to SHOOT any birds crossing the runway. I’m sure that this will be discussed in detail at the upcoming I.H.U. Annual Meeting in 2 weeks time!

Henry Byrne - Vice President I.H.U. Southern Region.

With the race season just about to get underway and a lot of lofts training in the recent spell of very good weather this is a big problem to fanciers especially in Dublin who use this favourite route for training. A number of years back pigeon traffic was a big problem over Dublin Airport and race organisations in Northern Ireland changed their race points to down the Centre of Ireland. Very little activity has been reported at Dublin Airport since and the move of the race points has been a good success. Not sure if the new restrictions will effect fanciers in Northern Ireland, there has been some discussion regarding Pilmore Beach and Fermoy. We will keep you posted on developments.

We had the same problem at the Belfast International Airport at Aldergrove with fanciers releasing training birds close to the runways, it took a very long time to deal with the problem and thankfully the restriction is now observed by everyone, and thank goodness for that. The NIPA will have the first race of the year from Tullamore on Saturday 14th April, clubs are getting everything in place and birds are being trained most days.

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.

Doagh & Dist Golden Ring –

The Golden Ring Scheme for Doagh & District will be open to Section B & C of the NIPA. The nominated races will be Talbenny YB Nat due to be flown on Saturday 1st September Licence IR 02/12 with the same rings going forward to the OB Penzance race of 2013. Any 2012 rings may be entered into the Doagh Golden Ring provided they are registered to the entrant before 1st July 2012. All ring numbers must be with the Doagh & Dist Secretary before 1st July 2012. From the monies raised 20% will go towards club funds, 40% to Talbenny YB and 40% to Penzance OB. Those wishing to compete can contact either John Wilson Tel: 07908 245278, Norman Lewis Tel: 07725 335675, William McClelland Tel: (028) 93 340723, or any club member.

Golden Ring Springvale Social –

After the very successful events over recent seasons the club is again holding the Annual Golden Ring event open to NIPA Sections B & C. The nominated race will be the Rosscarbery YB Nat due to be flown on Saturday 15th September. Payout will again be £1,000 with 1st - £750, 2nd - £150 and 3rd - £100. The cost of rings are £20 each or buy two or more and get one free. Those wishing to enter should contact Secretary Campbell McGrugan Tel: (028) 93 340981, or any club member.

* Glenarm & District HPS – A Squeaker Sale will be held in the Larne & Dist Clubrooms, Old Glenarm Road on Thursday 19th April at 8.00pm. Buyers prize £250, Breeders prize £100. Race will be flown from Fermoy on 8th September, all welcome. The NIPA will have the first race of the year from Tullamore on Saturday 14th April, clubs are getting everything in place and birds are being trained most days.

East Antrim Training 2012 -

A new addition for the training this season operating in the Doagh/Ballyclare area, Billy Bissett started OLD BIRD training last Saturday 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 Doagh. 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: 07749 481499.

* Tom Cairns intends to train birds to Skerries (Dublin) each Saturday morning between 19th May and 30th June especially with the long distance races in mind. Pick-up points will include Corr’s Corner Roundabout 7.00am until 7.30am, Park Centre 8.00am until 8.30am. Tel: 07973 113710. Also hope to get a toss around the start of June to Wexford.

* Joe & Mark Brown Training - The local transporter started operations on Saturday 31st March and 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.

Around Mid-Antrim

Local training has started 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.

* Sale arranged by Cyril Beattie to benefit the sport, bidding On-Line NOW at www.pigeonnetwork.com Sincere thanks to all who have presented birds and made donations, all greatly appreciated. Birds to suit any persons Stock Lofts. Any further details required contact Cyril Beattie. Tel: (028) 38840486. Mon-Frid 9.00am until 5.00pm and Saturday 9.00am until Noon. Sale will finish on Thursday, place your bid immediately and remember new members must register on the Auction Site.

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