Farming Life - Wednesday 11/04/12

willie reynolds · Post by **willie reynolds** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:26 pm

HOMER Training finally underway, weather still causing lots of problems. Good turn-out reported by the trainers on Easter Saturday, next possible day looks like Tuesday, followed by the next two days Wednesday and Thursday. NIPA racing starts this weekend. Ballymena contacts - Homer Tel: 07538 238364. Tom McAlonan Tel: 07561 417232, Harry Richmond Tel: 07796 304926. 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. Updates on the website.

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.

All the NIPA Clubs should especially, provide results for the NIPA Press Officers regardless of where else they are sent for publication. This will enable us to provide a full a report, as far as is possible for the race each weekend. We will hopefully be able to provide a provisional result and run as many photos as possible. The best idea is use the websites, a little report with each result and when possible a photograph. Do please remember we work to very tight deadlines, news cannot wait. All clubs should return their result to the NIPA Secretary Fred Russell ASAP after each race as has been done in the past and that includes the small handful that are late all the time. Websites are www.pigeonnetwork.com and www.pigeoncraic.com

Homer will feature the clubs based in Sections A, A West, B & E and Steve McGarry will feature all clubs based in Sections C, D, F & G the same as last season. The total coverage last year was the best it has ever been, any additional help this year will be greatly appreciated. The deadline is the big thing, miss that and you MISS OUT!

After the very successful events over recent seasons the Springvale Soc 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.

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

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.

Windsor Social HPS - The club is holding a Breeder/Buyer Sale in the Coronation Social Clubrooms, Creamery Road, Coleraine on Thursday 19th April at 8.00 pm with birds on view from 7.00 pm onwards. Squeakers from the leading local lofts, a top class selection. The Breeder/Buyer race is open to all members in the three Coleraine Triangle clubs.

Ballynure & Dist – With the club now closed they have a number of show pens, two printers a Super Ser and a few odds and ends. Contact Hugh Weir Tel: 07813 883854.